Do you already have a Sweet babushka DIY kit or pattern that you would like to make as a baby's rattle? Send me an email for the bonus directions! [email protected]
The Paper Shed’s range of DIY kits and PDF patterns are designed to be enjoyed. Enjoy stitching them, enjoy admiring your creations and enjoy giving them to others to enjoy.
The kits contain everything needed to complete the stunning projects, with full colour step-by-step instructions. Perfect for those just starting to try their hand at sewing and yet lovely enough to inspire more experienced stitchers!
the paper shed sewing kits are printed on 100% recycled paper.
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The designer behind the paper shed is Tonia Gretschmann, living in northern Tasmania. In 2006 Tonia completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Over the following few years she studied teaching and then taught part-time while spending the rest of her time working on her creations.
After selling sewing patterns online for over a year, Tonia made the move to work on The Paper Shed full time in 2010.
She designs in between being a mother to her toddler Ida and is always inspired by her feathered friends flitting through the trees outside the windows.
I started The Paper Shed as an outlet for my felt, fabric and paper creations. Originally I made completed projects for the shop but after repeatedly being asked to "please teach me", I realised there are lots of people out there that would love to get crafting but just don't know where to start. That's how the idea for patterns and kits came about.
New ideas for designs usually come as requests from customers, friends and family, as well as inspiration from native Tasmanian fauna. Once I decide on what my next design will be I hunt down source images that seem to personify that creature or object and begin sketching ideas for how to bring it to life. Once I have an idea of what I want it to look like its time to select suitable materials, felt, fabric, threads and embellishments. Now the real challenge begins - converting 2D sketches into 3D objects! Without complicating the design too much or having an excessive number of pattern pieces. It usually takes quite a few tries and prototypes before I am completely happy with a design, but once I get there its time to convert my scribbled pattern pieces and notes into clear, detailed directions for others to follow.
Each pattern piece gets carefully drafted on the computer and I photograph every step along the way. The photos are matched to their instructions (without technical jargon) and then the most important step of all: testing! I pass the directions onto my unsuspecting friends and family and they have a go at making the project. Any tricky or confusing steps get clarified and edited until we are ready to make the design available online as a PDF pattern. The next step along the way is sourcing quality materials and designing packaging for the kits.
