About the business

Picture this: you’re preparing a gorgeous emerald green hooded cape with cream damask lining. You put it on for a final fitting and you feel like a lady. “This will look stunning with my Victorian ball gown” you say to yourself. But when you look in the mirror you’re slightly disappointed – the cape lacks something.

Some embroidered ribbon running down the length of the cape and along the bottom would finish it off perfectly. Now off to the shops you go to buy some, but searching in vain you can’t find any. Even online you can only find ribbon that is over $20 a metre! Imagine how much that would set you back - you’re six foot two inches tall and your cape is floor length!

So that’s the long story of how this business started. The short story is that it grew out of a frustration that us good old fashioned dressmakers were being left behind in the world of beading, patchworking and scrapbooking. Finding sewing supplies and tools to make contemporary outfits was hard enough, but supplies to make historic costumes … well that was just impossible!

This is what Ortensia Sewing Supplies is all about: dressmaking first and foremost. Of course, patchworkers, milliners and bag makers will all find things to interest them here, but if you’re looking for hard-to-find dressmaking supplies, you’ve come to the right place.

About me, the owner

I started sewing when I was about 8 years old. My mother taught me to make a pair of candy striped draw string shorts. I think she must have had a premonition that I would grow so tall and would need to make my own clothes one day.  I have a passion for dressmaking, particularly making historic costumes, and I have a certificate III in garment production. Am I an expert sewer? I wish! Finding time to indulge in my passion and become truly proficient has always been difficult, but that doesn't stop me trying.

And where does Ortensia come from?

Well, nothing very exotic I’m afraid. While travelling through Central America several years ago, locals were finding my name difficult to pronounce. Instead they decided to call me Ortensia. I liked the oldie-world sound to it and the memories it awakens, so that’s how this business came to be named Ortensia Sewing Supplies.

I’ll leave you now to peruse through the store at your leisure. I’d like to thank you for visiting and I hope that you have been able to find just what you need.

I wish you lots of enjoyable and successful sewing!

Yours in sewing,
Odette