Hello
I know I've been a little quiet.
Those of you who know me, know I love to have "another great idea", well....
Ian and I had a great idea together, so you know it will be BIG.
September saw us take possession of the keys to a shop at 321 Pacific Highway Lindfield. Didn't see that coming? Neither did we! This is a second shop and our shop in Sylvania will remain and we look forward to seeing you in both locations.
Here are a few quick shots of how it is shaping up. We make changes and add stock daily as we find our way in a new location.
Our opening hours are
Sylvania 02 9522 2340
Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm
Saturdays 9am - 2pm
Sunday Closed
These remain unchanged.
Lindfield 02 9564 1807
Monday Closed
Tuesday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm
Saturdays 9am - 2pm
Sunday Closed
Why on earth did we do this? How long does it take you to get there? Yes, these are common questions we are asked.
Well, 30 June saw BERNINA Chatswood close their doors and that left the North Shore and Northern Sydney without a BERNINA dealer. Something we did not think would happen. We looked at ways to support the customer base on that side and found that not only was there a BERNINA gap, but also Brother and sewing shops in general. It was a now or never moment, so we moved quickly to inspect shops and next thing we knew, a lease was signed and the doors opened mid September. If you are wondering why we have been quiet ... that's why. We've been a little busy LOL.
We don't plan to change our model too much in either location. Sylvania will get some cosmetic changes. Ian and I will take turns in both locations and Vicky and Crystal will remain in Sylvania. Other than guest teacher appearances in Lindfield I am not going to torture them with travel hehehehe. They are, however, too clever not to share them a little with our new customers.
Anyway, what else has been happening, you ask....
The BERNINA B790Pro is launched in Australia early Nov. We are doing our launch a little differently and rather than having just an open day we are giving you the opportunity to spend an hour on the actual machine as a one on one hands on review.
In order to ensure this runs smoothly we have a booking system and the links are below.
Friday 17 Nov 2023
Friday 24 Nov 2023 - this will be part of our opening celebration week events
If you want to bring a friend and the 2 of you dem together that is OK. Just add the second name and phone number in the comments section of the "order".
If you cannot make these dates and still want to dem this machine or if you have done all your online homework and want one, please make contact and we can assist you at a time that suits.
Here is a quick look at some of the features of the machine.
Opening Celebration Events - Lindfield Store
Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 November 2023 we will celebrate our opening with different events each day combined with a sale in store. Sale details will be announced closer to the date, but make sure you mark it in your diary and book the events below. We'd love to see you each day. We will do some sales from the Sylvania store too.
Tuesday 21 November 2023
To start the week we have Vicky Greenstein (our Sylvania store guru) demonstrating Amanda Murphy Quilting rulers. You will get to see how to use them and all of the rulers and the patterns you can make. This is a great day and a fabulous introduction to the hands-on classes next year.
Wednesday 22 November 2023
Join us as we welcome Bree Ledingham from Bernina Australia
She will talk us through the world of OESD stabilisers and how to use them. This event is open to owners of all machine brands. It will be a show and tell / discussion format not a bring your machine day. Bookings preferred so we can manage space and morning tea.
Thursday 23 November 2023
Today you get to meet Crystal Wilson from our Sylvania store. Crystal wears many hats, but today she will do Brother Scan n Cut demonstrations as well as ByAnnie bag tips and tricks discussions. She will display her many ByAnnie projects most of which she will be teaching instore next year. This is also a great introduction day to determine which class suits you best.
Friday 24 November 2023
Bree is back for the BERNINA B790PRO launch and test drive day discussed above.
Saturday 25 November 2023
The sale continues and finishes when we close at 2pm.
2024 Classes
I am also looking at classes for 2024. I know many of you have commented your wishes for classes on our social media posts and I am working my way through them. Not all will be fulfilled, but I will try for as close as I can.
Here is where you can see what is happening in each shop. There are still some changes occurring and yes, a lot more will be added. Just trying to get some basics sorted so I can add extras from there. I think this is a pretty good start seeing we are only in October, but there are many more I have in the pipeline and how to add over the next month.
Sylvania
Lindfield
Both
We do have some special guest teachers next year. We are currently locking in dates with Caroline Sharkey in both locations. We currently have Deborah Louie locked in for both locations. Lynn Hewitt remains in Sylvania. More will follow shortly.
In terms of "every day" classes we have ByAnnie bags, ruler work quilting, free motion quilting, Sewing Machine Club, Machine embroidery classes, overlocking classes, beginners overlocking and Scan n Cut beginners classes all have dates. They are in the calendar. Content will follow.
Phew we are getting there.
Christmas Machine Sales
The Brother Christmas sale has begun. When you purchase selected machines you get the opportunity to have one of the gift boxes sent to you. These can be seen in store.
BERNINA, Baby Lock and Bernette Christmas specials are yet to be announced.
BERNINA do have some great monthly specials for October 2023, both BERNINA and bernette machines. We can help you with any or all of these !
Fabric coming soon
We can't wait until January when these fabulous fabrics and stitchery panel come in.
Fabric will be $28/m and I am expecting the stitchery to be a 25cm repeat. If that is the case then it will be $8.25 a panel. We have the below 8 fabrics coming and only 8m of each. If you want to reserve a stitchery panel and or fabrics please make contact with either store.
50% Deposits will be required at the time of order. Natalie Bird does such fabulous ranges and this Aussie beachside one is sure to sell quickly. Be quick to make your order.
You can also order what you would like using this link on the website
This will however we a 100% pre payment on your order.
Machine trolley bags
We have been able to secure the last few XL Crystal trolley bags from BERNINA. The current XL bags retail for over $400 and these Crystal ones are on special for $200. Be quick this is the only order of these bags.
Long arm quilting
Can you believe that we are only a couple of months out from Christmas? We have had many quilts booked to ensure that are ready for Christmas. At the moment we are running at about a 8 week turnaround for edge to edge quilting and cannot guarantee any booking made in coming weeks will be ready for Christmas.
Custom quilting is about a 6-9 month wait from the time of booking. It is a couple of months from the receipt of your quilt.
For those that are based on the North side we do offer a pickup and drop off point for long arm quilting in a Lindfield store. We have a selection of quilting patterns that you can choose from. We have samples of these in the store for you to see.
Well, I'm going to leave it there for today. I will try and be back in touch a little timelier prior to Christmas to show you the Christmas kits and samples we have available.
Have a great week
Bernadette
Whoopee!
Adventures in commerce & sewing!
Congrats & good luck!
Am I the first to purchase a Bernina at your new store?/
Can’t wait to see you in Lindfield. Best of luck for the years ahead. Cheers, Bernice