My grandmother was an incredible seamstress and needleworker. There was literally nothing she couldn't do with a needle and thread and she was also the maker of exquisite bridal gowns. Granny Sue would sew for hours on her treadle-foot Singer sewing machine, and I would sit alongside her practicing running stitch on scraps of fabric. And so my love of textiles, needlework and design was born, alongside my love for my Granny.
From small stitches to big dreams...
In 2000 I landed my dream job working as a rep for a fabric company. Surrounded by beautiful designs, gorgeous textiles and innovative people was both inspiring and fulfilling. Years later, the booming ready-made homeware market heralded in a new era for soft furnishings: fast decor. Discouraged by the mass-made direction that soft furnishings were taking, I stepped away from the industry but never stopped loving fabric.
From selling to writing...
In 2011 my dear friend and remarkable entrepreneur Vicki from I Want That invited me to write a weekly blog segment dedicated to fabric. It was a sublime experience and eventually, with encouragement from Vicki, I started by own fabric blog, The Fabric Nerd.
Since 2016 I have indulged my love of fabric with textile chit-chat on my own blog. It was a natural progression that in 2019 I started building up a modest stock for an exclusive, limited range of slow-decor, soft furnishings. In 2021 I finally launched a small range of vintage inspired embroidery kits which includes embroidery hoops, scissors and scissor cases.
In a world of fast food, fast fashion and and fast lifestyles, The Fabric Nerd leans in to taking time to make things of value, things that are intended to last a lifetime and be treasured by generations.
I hope you love my range as much as I love creating it.
With love from Li Protheroe
The Fabric Nerd