About
I'm Bronwyn and I've been sewing clothing for almost as long as I can remember! When I began The Handmade Closet 5 years ago, I had been designing, pattern making, and stitching linen clothing that I wanted to wear, with a focus on versatility, repeatability. I wanted my clothing to work for me not against me, to comfortably adjust with my body as it was needed.
Quite serendipitously, and almost overnight, after my year of making whatever I needed, I opened the doors to a pop-up shop for one day to share my work with whomever walked through the door. Five years later I'm still there, meeting people who love my designs and the idea that they enjoy wearing clothing made just right for them.
Quality materials and workmanship is at the forefront of what we do. Quality linen fabric is our preference, and a personally curated selection of all purpose and limited edition linens are always on offer for you to choose from. Each garment is slowly crafted by on rescued and resuscitated vintage machines in the "Stitchery" in Dayboro.
Sustainability is considered every step of the way. We make garments that are timelessly designed to serve you for a long time, without following the trends of fast fashion. Sourcing fabrics manufactured with care for the process, the environment and the people involved. Our conversations are about making your clothing for you with mindful care and attention to detail that you will love wearing. Slowly crafted with consideration for your preferences.
Consideration of the weak points in regular fashion means I've been intentional about construction methods that guarantee your clothing will last, and be flexible enough in design to move and shift with how your body changes over time. You'll find the styles are relaxed using drawstrings, fabric ties, wraps, and elasticated waists.
Inclusivity looks like offering customisation of our designs so your garment fits you well. Size isn't the focus, it's fit. Taller, shorter, narrower or wider. We have developed ways to adjust our designs to celebrate what your clothing needs to be for you to feel fabulous.
Slow clothing is what we do. We know who we are making each garment for. Individually cutting them as needed with any fit customisations considered. Each piece is the stitched in the "Stitchery" at The Churn Room in Dayboro on one of three vintage Bernina machines, fondly names Bernie, Nina, and Bernhard. We engage traditional French seams and clean seams as our preferred method of construction which gives you a twice stitched seam that mean its unlikely your garments will come apart at the seams. It's more likely your fabric will wear out first. You can expect that this process will take 5-6 weeks, unless our production schedule allows or you reach out to request otherwise.
