New sustainable textiles craft shop coming to Worthing

Vicki Halliday and her husband Roger Gellman came up with the concept during the lockdown when their workplaces were shut.

And after launching a crowdfunder and receiving funding from Natwest, they will soon sign a lease for a shop in Goring and will begin renovating ‘The Good Stitch’.

Vicki, 41, said: “We will be selling deadstock fabrics and yarn – that’s left overs from the garment making industry, as well as beautiful handmade finished goods like homewares and gifts by different artisans, with an emphasis on repurposed materials.”

Customers will be able to repair their clothes at The Good Stitch, or refashion them into new items so they continue to be useful. They will also be able to book lessons for sewing, knitting and other textiles crafts or join an informal social group of likeminded crafters.

Vicki, who trained in theatre costume skills at Northbrook College and had a career in costume and higher education, said: “In the longer term, we want to create a community for local crafters and link up with other enterprises who are engaged with making change, for the environment, for social ethics, for personal wellbeing. We believe that creativity is empowering.”

She said sustainability has become a buzzword and for good reason, adding that we need to make changes to prevent a climate emergency.

“There are already enough materials in the world to last many lifetimes and this is where The Good Stitch gets involved,” added Vicki.

Most of the shop furniture will be upcycled and redesigned from home furniture, to encourage the concept of repurposing, Vicki said. And one of the quirky rewards Vicki and Roger will be offering to supporters is to adopt the carpet tiles of the new shop floor, a colourful design using end-of-line carpet tiles.

Vicki has previously worked at Glyndebourne, Chichester Festival Theatre, Northbrook College, Headlong Theatre in Bristol, and Guildford School of Acting where she managed the wardrobe department.

Roger, 48, has had a career in hospitality and management and has worked at Pizza Express, The Fish Factory and Debenhams.

To support the crowdfunder, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-good-stitch.