Pattern Donation & SHM Online Sale

We were recently entrusted with a large donation of vintage sewing patterns from Suzy Cato-Gashler, a long-time customer who, due to illness, is no longer able to sew. Suzy has been part of our Tessuti Melbourne community for years and years – she’s impeccably stylish, loves and appreciates the arts, fashion, fabrics, sewing and all the details that go along with a well-designed and well-made garment. Many of our local customers may even be familiar with her name as Suzy has had a lengthy career as a film, television and theatre actress.

Suzy was after some guidance on where she might best donate her pattern collection, her only request being that they go to a good home. After talking and spending some time together, we decided to reach out to Sacred Heart Mission and asked if they’d be interested in collaborating to arrange an online sale, giving her the opportunity to find her patterns an appreciative home as well as allowing her to raise money for a local organisation doing important work within the community. They kindly agreed and that online sale is now live! Sacred Heart Mission is a Victorian not-for-profit organisation that provides support to people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and social exclusion. 100% of the proceeds from this remarkable donation will be directed towards their Women’s Services which provide a safe place and crisis accommodation for women experiencing homelessness and domestic violence.

This collection includes decades worth of vintage sewing patterns. There are classic silhouettes from the ’50s right though to more recent years, with some incredibly iconic designs amongst them. If you’re an Issey Miyake super fan like our donator is, you’ll LOVE what’s available. Likewise, if you appreciate any vintage or not-so vintage sewing pattern, this is a great opportunity to add some incredible out-of-print patterns to your collection. To shop the donated patterns, go to www.shmonlineopshop.org. Please note that as the Sacred Heart Mission Online Op Shop only delivers to Australian addresses, patterns can only be purchased within Australia.

And lastly, to ​S​uzy: thank you.