A Sewing Sensation At Barnes Sewing Centre

Before opening the vibrant community sewing hub, Barnes Sewing Centre, owner Sue Beatts was a nurse and midwife at the local hospital, but she has always had a passion for sewing.

When she retired, Sue began helping out the previous owner and her dear friend Elma at Barnes Sewing Centre, so taking over the store was a natural transition.

For Sue, sewing is a hobby as well as a profession and that’s what makes her friendly store such a relaxing environment.

“I like it, it's creative and is something I could do by myself,” said Sue.

“It’s not something you have to have other people with you to do and I find it relaxing.

“You can set yourself up at home, in your own little area of the house, and it's all yours.”

Sue’s favourite things to make are patchwork items and she loves making bags, purses, and quilts.

To make quilts easier to produce, Sue decided to invest in a new piece of equipment, the long-arm quilting machine, it took her some time to master it because of the complexity of the technology, but now she loves using the machine.

At Barnes Sewing Centre, they offer a variety of services from machine repairs to material supplies, work wear logos, a range of fabrics, and quilt making.

Sue expressed that the store does very well, and she even gets visitors from Cairns and Townsville.

Sue also said stores like hers are becoming rare, many are closing down, and she is proud to offer a unique and charming space for sewers from across the region to enjoy the love of fabric and sewing together.

Come and explore her haven of sewing bliss, it’s always a wonderful experience chatting with Sue who has expert advice on almost any question you may have about sewing.

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