May Stallholder of the Month - A Piece of Cloth

Our stallholder of the month for May is Jennifer from A Piece of Cloth. Jennifer is one of those girls who has an encyclopedia for a brain. She knows so much about fabrics, where they originate from and what they are made of, that when discussing such things, I feel like a complete dumbass novice! She travels the WORLD - yes the world - to give us Aussies the chance to purchase original vintage fabrics from the 40's onwards! 
She is super friendly, loves a chat, and has the most sublime collection of gorgeous fabrics that I find myself drooling over her stall each month.And then what she does with these fabrics is also stunning. Her cushions are made with the utmost of care, and she is VERY particular about her quality. Nothing but the best goes into and onto her cushions. 
I am so glad I met this pocket rocket of a woman...I have learnt so much from her!

You can find her here, here, here and here....

website: www.apieceofcloth.com.au

Blog: www.apieceofclothstudio.blogspot.com

FB: www.facebook.com/apieceofcloth

Shop: www.clothandcompany.bigcartel.com

Here's her interview....enjoy !

Please tell us a little bit about yourself...

A Piece of Cloth is a textile design and vintage textiles sourcing business. Established in 2009, A Piece of Cloth travels the world to find interesting and unique textiles. Antique and Vintage quilts, fabrics, home wares, military and naval flags and ethnic textiles. We make these available for sale at markets, events and online.We also design and produce our own range of textiles and home wares under our brand Cloth & Company. We strive to use only vintage and reclaimed materials in our products and use Social Enterprise Organisations and local small businesses for our manufacturing.We are based in Geelong, Victoria, Australia

How long have you been selling at markets ?

I've been doing markets here and there now for over four years. I started off really slowly doing one every few months, now i'm doing about four a month along with textile shows and vintage fairs.

What inspires you? How do you stay current and have the edge over your competitors?

The smallest scrap of fabric can get me going or the line of the stitches, there is always something in a textile that holds possibility. A piece of cloth can be anything you want it to be.
My edge? I have been sourcing and collecting now for a very long time so I guess its my ability to go and find the things and make the contacts with other people overseas,  travelling keeps me inspired, its the thrill of the hunt and working with materials that are not usual to find here. My most recent inspiration is rediscovering the work of Anni Albers, I've gone nuts pinning images of her work into my Pinterest!

What do you make? What materials do you like to use? What is your biggest/most popular seller?

I make home textiles from vintage fabrics and also sell vintage fabrics. My vintage quilts and cushions made from reclaimed quilts and 1950s fabrics are the best sellers at the moment, but things change, so you need you need to keep developing and evolving what you design or source.

A tip for newbie stallholders?

Take things slowly when you start and work at a pace you can manage so you still love what you are doing.

A shout out for a market pal?

Rachel Hine from Salvaged Textile Treasure, she will be at Yarraville Market in May too.




Tell us, as a stallholder 1 thing at a market you SHOULDN'T do?





Copy another persons work or idea.




What is your business highlight so far?


When I trusted my instincts and the risk paid off....i'm still here!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

My dream is to be trading in my own shop/studio space filled with fabrics and textiles from all over the world, designing my own range of home wares and to be working on commission design jobs with other businesses and designers who want to use one of a kind textiles.

How can YM help you to achieve your goals?

To keep being as supportive as they are.

Why do you love Yarraville Markets?

Yarraville Markets is great for exposure and they really get behind their stall holders and support them. It's a great market thats well run.

Jennifer has very kindly donated a luxury cushion from the 'Kitschy Kitsch' range made from 1950s Waverly Glosheen polished cottons, piped in red and white stripes with a feather and foam filling. RRP $90. OH MY !! I want !! 
To go into the draw to win this gorgeous cushion, simply comment on our facebook page about "A Piece of Cloth", or come to the market on Saturday the 12th May and enter at Jennifer's stall or at the Yarraville Markets table !  And go and like Jennifer's new facebook page ! 


Thanks so much Jennifer - you are such a cool chick !! Love Ya!