A love for hand-made crafts and a dearth of quality supplies in Coonabarabran has led an enterprising local to launch a new business - The Crafters Cottage. Located in Dalgarno Street, Coonabarabran, Debbie Dafter’s newly-opened store is a colourful treasure trove of craft supplies. The Coonabarabran Times caught up with Debbie to find out more about her new venture...

What prompted you to open The Crafters Cottage?

Owning a sewing shop is something I have thought about for many years and even more so since our previous sewing shop in Coonabarabran closed.

Going to sewing classes at All About Sewing on the Central Coast and attending craft shows and retreats with like-minded friends from those classes was a big part of my life for over 20 years prior to moving to Coonabarabran, and apart from my short time at Warrumbungle Arts and Crafts (WACCI), the social aspect to my craft is something that I have missed since moving here in May 2018.

It’s going to be much more than just a sewing shop though isn't it? What other services you will be providing.

At The Crafters Cottage we are not just about selling sewing supplies and wool, we are also about the well-being of our customers and the fun, social aspect of our craft. Therefore,in addition to our shop at the front, we are offering what we hope will be a fun, friendly space for our customers at the back of our shop where you they can join like-minded people for a few hours sewing, knitting or doing some crochet.

We are offering Sit ‘n Sew classes Monday to Saturdays 9am to 1pm, Knitting and Crochet Club Monday and or Wednesday afternoons 2pm to 5pm and Hand Embroidery and English Paper Piecing Club Tuesday and or Thursdays from 2pm to 5pm. We are currently taking expressions of interest with a view to these classes and clubs to begin in March.

Coonabarabran is known for supporting its local businesses. What has been the reaction so far from your customers?

We are extremely pleased to have had very positive feedback and responses to our new business thus far. Everyone who has visited The Crafters Cottage since opening day on 14 February 2022, has commented on how great it is to have a sewing shop in town again and how nice the shop looks. We have even had a phone customer from Dubbo, who said they are keen to come visit us when they are visiting Coonabarabran in early March.

What are your hopes for the new venture?

Our aim is to offer people a place where people can conveniently purchase their sewing and knitting supplies locally.But, more importantly, we want it to be a place with a friendly, inviting atmosphere where customers can visit and do some sewing or knitting with like-minded people, make new friends or catch up with old friends, whilst potentially learning new skills.

Was it a matter of identifying a gap in the market in town or do you have a background in sewing?

It was a bit of both really. For many years I have enjoyed sewing and have thought it would be nice to own my own sewing business and it is well known that the previous sewing shop has been missed by the town since it closed, so I decided now might be the time to open The Crafters Cottage.

I do not think of myself as an expert or professional sewer by any means, in fact, I am far from being that, but what I am is someone who loves to sew and is willing to help anyone who wants to learn about sewing, knitting or crochet.

What is The Crafters Cottage’s point of difference to similar businesses?

The Crafters Cottage is a friendly, welcoming shop that offers not only the ability to conveniently purchase sewing and knitting supplies locally, but also somewhere to be around like-minded people, share your skills with others and learn new skills - a place to simply have a cuppa and sit and socialise if that is what you feel like doing.

TOP: Debbie Dafter is looking forward to welcoming and assisting customers at her new business, The Crafters Cottage, in Coonabarabran.