HomeMaurice Hillier2022-05-28T13:49:52+10:00

Together, we create!

Teaching

We teach made-by-hand skills to give you knowledge and confidence to make something for yourself.

Encouraging Creativity

Immersing yourself in the creative space is great for your soul – it can even restore balance in your world.

Empowering People

With skills and encouragement we empower you to renovate, re-purpose, reuse and reinvent!

Endorsing a Sustainable Lifestyle

We believe it is easier to make a real difference to the health of the planet once we have skills and confidence.

We teach online and face-to-face!

ModularME Sewing System

ModularME

A Module-based sewing system where you learn one skill at a time

Build Confidence

As your skills grow so does your confidence

Clothes that fit

Learn the secrets to making great fitting garments

Clothes that are YOU

You are in control – make clothes you LOVE!

ModularME #1 – FREE Pattern!

Everything Lampshades

Lampshade Kits

Create your own lampshades at home

Custom Made Lampshades

Bespoke shades just for you

Lampshade Design Service

Creative solutions for commercial and domestic purposes

Lampshade Making Supplies

Australia’s largest range of lampshade supplies

Everything Lampshades

We make to order

Refresh

Add personality with new cushions and lampshades

Quality

Quality fabrics and a professional finish

Renovate

Bring new life to your tired lampshades

Bespoke

Unique solutions just for you

Tell us about your project

Luxury

Check out our beautiful Slow Stitched Cushion Kits

Hand Made

Four beautiful tassels

Designer Fabric

A curated selection of stunning fabrics

Meditative

Slow down while you slow stitch

Slow Stitched Cushion Kits

New in the shop

Gooseneck (Scuttle) – Professional Lampshade Kit

$70.00 – $130.00 including GST

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Fabric Bond Tape

$5.00 – $19.00 including GST

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Parks Atoll

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Hero Lamp Kit – 60cm

$165.00 including GST

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City Lights

$89.00 including GST per metre

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Halcyon Days

$69.00 including GST per metre

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Luxe Multi Pompom Braid

$19.00 including GST per metre

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Denim Block Print

$55.00 including GST per metre

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Hinterland Spring

$69.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Tandoori

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Moss

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Marsala

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Ivy

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Geranium

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Cornflower

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Atlantic

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Making pendant lampshades from hessian! These thre

Making pendant lampshades from hessian! These three shades are an add-on order for a previous job we did for a restaurant at Shell Harbour in NSW a few years ago.

The previous order was for 15 shades and they were bigger than this current order. The ones we finished today are all 50cm in diameter and 35cm high. They will be hung in an outdoor seating area.

Wrangling the lampshade rings through the sewing machine is a bit of a challenge. But once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straight forward! And no trouble at all for my trusty Bernina!!!

These will be squashed flat in a box for delivery so that when they arrive at their destination they’ll look suitably “rustic” and “recycled”!

If you like a bit of DIY these would be a fun project where you could upcycle some old lampshade rings. If you don’t have any the right size, we sell them on our website.
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#lampshades
#customlampshades
#lighting
#everythinglampshades
#letyourlightshine
#lampshadekits
#hessian
#recycle
#pendantlights
@berninaaustralia

What’s one of the best things about #modularme ?

What’s one of the best things about #modularme ? EASY! Using one pattern you can create so many looks. So you only need to get one pattern to fit right and then you can create looks you love. We teach you how to do this and we have a few face-to-face sessions coming up!!!

The first photo is of Mel and Jenni wearing ModularME dresses that I created at our recent photo shoot. And the rest of the pics? All from my giant Pinterest folder of inspiration. Every single one of those garments could be made easily using the ModularME pattern. Even when I am out and about, I can’t stop myself from looking at people’s clothes and thinking “You can make that style with ModularME, and that one and that one and that one too!” It’s almost like an obsession!!😂

But seriously, how cool is it to create different looks using just one pattern? It makes sewing your own clothes so much simpler!!!
The dates for the upcoming sessions are on our website. There is one spot left for Sunday and we have week night sessions as well!!!
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#sewing
#learntosew
#sewingsystem
#getskills
#slowfashion
#creativeworkshops
@berninachermside
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
@berninausa
#sewfun
#sewingpattern
#diyclothes
#kombi
#ilovesewing
@sweetapplesunday

For the love of colour and pattern!!! 💙❤️💛💚🧡 Which lampshade sings for you? 1 or 2?

These are two custom lampshades that we made for @kin.field.design I couldn’t resist pairing the awesome @waltergtextiles fabrics with my framed @gormanclothing tea towel before the shades left here this morning. I love them both but I think the first one is my fave!
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#customlampshades
#letyourlightshine
#lighting
#interiorstyling
#interiordesign
#lamps
#lampshadeworkshops
#lampshadesupplies
#lampshadekits

Colour, detail, pattern!!! The iconic Brisbane des

Colour, detail, pattern!!! The iconic Brisbane designers #eastonpearson nailed it and put a local fashion label on the global stage!!!
Today we visited an exhibition at @tweedregionalgallery to see a selection of the garments on loan from @museumofbrisbane

I wore one of my fave #modularme dresses to really get in the mood!!! I have always been a sucker for dressmaking detailing just like I am a sucker for architectural detailing. I love how you can elevate the ordinary and everyday with simple (often inexpensive) detailing. Some big buttons here, some unexpected stitching there, a few surprise pom-poms or beads and a clash of patterns can make a garment playful and fun!!!! A bit like painting a daggy set of drawers and adding new knobs!!!!

We have been away for a few days… brainstorming a few concepts, researching some new ideas and recharging!!! Falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves is a real tonic!!!
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#sewing
#sewingmachine
#sewingpattern
#learntosew
#sewingskills
#sewingpattern
@berninaaustralia
@berninachermside
@berninaacademyaustralia
#dressmaking
#sewyourown
#slowclothing
#recycle
#reuse
#modularmesewingsystem

I love this #modularme top on Lauren! It was made

I love this #modularme top on Lauren! It was made from the scraps of a dress I made for myself a few months ago… I managed to eek out just what I needed for this cropped top.
It’s the standard ModularME pattern cut shorter so it sits above the hip and with the sleeve extension module added.
One of the great sewing skills I learned from my mum was persevering with laying out the pattern when you had limited fabric. And… if you are a little short on fabric…. Improvise and modify the design slightly!!!
Lauren wore this top for our #modularme video shoot several weeks ago. The video is currently being edited… can’t wait to share it!!!
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#handmade
#ministryofhandmade
#sewing
#sewingjourney
#learntosew
#sewingsystem
#sewingmachine
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
@berninachermside
@ladymcelroyfabrics

Celebrating 65 years of wedded bliss!! It’s a mi

Celebrating 65 years of wedded bliss!! It’s a milestone worth celebrating for sure!!! ❤️👏💃🥂🥁

My parents, Edgar and Florence, married on 22 June 1957. They are now 92 and 90 years old. We gathered our whole family together to honour them in the best way possible on Saturday….a relaxed afternoon tea and then a casual dinner with lawn games thrown in for good measure!!!
Mum made her own wedding dress and we had it there to show off. My youngest sister Karen @zenzero_design wore it too when she got married in 1987. We also had the dress worn by Mum’s flower girl. It was modelled by my granddaughter, Aubrey, who also wore the wax flower headpiece mum had worn and that I also wore on my wedding day in 1982.
Family means everything to Mum and Dad so they thoroughly enjoyed the get-together. It was wonderful to watch them interacting with their seven grandchild and their partners and two great grandchildren.
What a legacy they have created and what lessons we have learned from them. They were the King and Queen of DIY and recycling from as far back as I remember and it is wonderful to see how those values have permeated through the family.
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@rob.sher20
#recycling
#homesewn
#diy
#family
#65thanniversary
#wedding
#madebyhand
#traditions
#honour
#ministryofhandmade
#memories
#familymemories
#moet
#weddingdress

Grab a friend and make something beautiful! We had

Grab a friend and make something beautiful! We had such a fun afternoon in our lampshade workshop. Our sessions enable you to make any size/shape from our extensive range…. So you go home with a shade that is perfect for you!

These girls all produced excellent results, the finished shades all looked amazing! It’s a real thrill for us to help people put a smile on their faces as well as learning new skills. Thanks Maureen, Roxanne, Monika, Jan, Ali and Lucy for visiting Ministry of Handmade… we hope your new shades bring you lots of joy!!!
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#handmade
#ministryofhandmade
#madebyhand
#everythinglampshades
#lighting
#letyourlightshine
#interiorstyling
#lampshadeworkshop
#creativeworkshops
#lamps
#learnhow
#textiles
#customlampshades

Scuttle or gooseneck shades these are called! Icon

Scuttle or gooseneck shades these are called! Iconic mid century lighting at its best! Did you know we sell kits for these shades or we can custom make for you? The print in the background of the first pic is from Australian design team @inaluxe and the original artwork in the second pic is by @jahnf_bless
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#everythinglampshades
#ministryofhandmade
#gooseneck
#midcentury
#mcm
#midcenturymodern
#lighting
#customlampshades
#lampshadeworkshops
#interiorstyling

It’s all in the details! Love both these custom

It’s all in the details! Love both these custom made lampshades we recently completed for an interior design house.
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#everythinglampshades
#bespokelampshades
#lampshadeworkshops
#textiles
#creativeworkshops
#letyourlightshinebright

Squeezing every last minute of fun out of Dizzy Mi

Squeezing every last minute of fun out of Dizzy Miss Lizzy before we deliver her back to @penny_lane_rentals this arvo. It was fun being out and about with @mr.ministryofhandmade and @nicolemzaini today. She’s an awesome car and attracts lots of attention.

It’s been a steep learning curve for us organising our very first video shoot for #modularme but so much fun!! So looking forward to sharing the finished product soon!!!! You can read about our sewing system on our website. Creating your own clothes has never been so easy!!
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#sewing
#sewingpattern
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
@berninachermside
#learntosew
#slowfashionseason

So this just happened! A #modularme photo shoot wi

So this just happened! A #modularme photo shoot with a bunch of crazy cats!!!! The weather was awesome after so much rain and cold weather.

We showcased a selection of ModularME garments and our orange Kombi (aka Dizzy Miss Lizzy) was a fun backdrop. When you go on a sewing journey, it’s best to travel in style!

I can’t wait to see the video footage. Thanks Eli Colbran for your awesome work. And to our crazy cats: Mel, Nicole, Jenni, Lauren and Aubrey… three cheers for being so fun to work with!!!!
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#handmade
#ministryofhandmade
#madebyhand
#kombi
#roadtrip
#sewingjourney
#sewing
#sewingmachine
#learntosew
#modularmesewingsystem
#learnhow
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
@berninachermside
@berninausa
@berninanz
#volkswagen
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It’s certainly the right time of year to learn c

It’s certainly the right time of year to learn crochet!!! It’s such a simple, portable and meditative craft that has many personalities!!! So we’ve popped a few workshops on the calendar so you can pick up a new skill or refresh if you are feeling a bit rusty!!!

Our brilliant teacher is our daughter, Lauren, who is a real natural when it comes to crochet. She first learnt as a child from @mr.ministryofhandmade mother, Nanny Pat! She didn’t learn from me because I am left-handed! I can crochet 🧶 but Lauren is right-handed and so is her grandmother!!

All the details are on our website and spots are selling fast!!
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#crochet
#crochetclass
#learntocrochet
#crochetworkshop
#creativeworkshops
#yarn
#wool
#crochetpattern
#creativeworkshops

Big day today!!! We started filming our #modularme

Big day today!!! We started filming our #modularme videos. This feels SO good and makes it feel so real! Yes, that means that all the content for 17 modules is written and documented. We’re loving the steep learning curve and the thrill of mastering new skills.

The front sewing studio that doubles as our recording studio looks like it’s been trashed but the bit the main camera captures looks professional and serene!!! In my element.
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#handmade
@berninaaustralia
@berninachermside
@berninaacademyaustralia
#sewing
#sewingvideos
#learntosew
#creativeworkshops

Learn how to make lampshades online!!! It’s the

Learn how to make lampshades online!!! It’s the next best thing to coming to a face to face workshop. And it’s easier than you think! In addition to attending a live ZOOM class, each person who registers gets sent a link to a recording of the session. Plus we also send a link to our written instructions. Plus participants get a $25 voucher to spend on lampshade supplies. AND you get to learn from the comfort of your own home!
COVID lockdowns forced us online in 2020 but it has been so good….a real silver lining. We’ve hosted fun online sessions with people from all over Australia as well as NZ, south east Asia, North America and beyond! All the upcoming dates are on our website.
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#zoom
#learnonline
#lampshadetutorial
#learntomakealampshade
#lampshadekits
#lampshadesupplies
#lampshaderings
#creativeworkshops
#bespokelampshades

I love teaching lampshade workshops!!! Participant

I love teaching lampshade workshops!!! Participants choose their size and their fabric and the combinations are endless. This afternoon’s class was a breeze and the results were spectacular! Thanks ladies for your company and enthusiasm… Lorene and Annette, Lindsey and Anna, Rachel and Linda. Everyone produced a great shade, each one beautiful enough to sell in a store.
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#handmade
#ministryofhandmade
#madebyhand
#lampshade
#lampshadeworkshop
#bespokelampshades
#lampshadekits
#learnhow
#createalampshade
#textiles
#interiorstyling
#lighting
#letyourlightshine
#creativeworkshops

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We have COVID-safe policies

Our studio is a safe place for you; to be yourself and to be COVID-safe. We have a COVID policy and attendance guidelines.