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My Journey: From Challenges to a New Beginning in the Fabric World

Throughout my career, I've worn many hats, but my true passion has always been in the world of fabrics and craft materials. Until 2019, my husband and I ran a successful eBay transport business connecting Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. However, an unexpected turn of events led us to face significant challenges and ultimately close our business.

We were hit hard by reputational damage when another business, with a name almost identical to ours, caused confusion and distress for our customers. After a lengthy struggle, we had no choice but to close our doors, and I was forced into bankruptcy.

A New Beginning

While this was one of the most difficult periods of my life, it also opened new doors. Shortly after, I was headhunted by a company and took on a role in national customer service. However, the past soon caught up with me, leading to a nervous breakdown, and I ended up being off work for two years.

During my recovery, I rediscovered a love I had long held—sewing. A serendipitous message offering me 100 rolls of fabric reignited my passion and led me into the world of textile recycling. The generosity of this man opened my eyes to the potential of reducing textile waste, and I saw an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. I began buying out other businesses such as a bridal shop, a button store and a buckle and bag hardware business, reclaiming materials that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Transitioning to Queen of Fabric

It didn’t take long to realise that I had the chance to make a real difference in the fabric industry. I started selling fabric on eBay, but quickly discovered that customers wanted more detailed information about fabric composition. After some trial and error, I shifted my focus to fabrics I could confidently provide accurate details about, ensuring trust and building a more sustainable business.

In 2024, I was fortunate enough to acquire Queen of Fabric. After several discussions, I took the helm of the business at the end of June.

The timing felt perfect to take this next step in my entrepreneurial journey. My vision was to transition Queen of Fabric into a fully online e-commerce business, expanding my reach to Australia and international markets just as I had done with my eBay store.

Looking Forward

The transition to e-commerce has come with its challenges, but the feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed their appreciation, especially those in remote or rural areas who find online shopping the most convenient option.

I'm thrilled to announce that we're working on expanding Queen of Fabric’s offerings, including bridal fabrics, bag-making materials, and clearance items for various creative projects. While quilting fabrics will always be at the heart of Queen of Fabric, we’ll continue to introduce exciting new products for makers and crafters of all kinds.

What’s Next?

I have big plans for Queen of Fabric’s future! Along with expanding our online presence, I'm exploring YouTube as a platform to showcase our fabrics. This will allow you to visually experience the fabrics before making a purchase, helping you get a better feel for our selection.

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey. The future is bright, and I can’t wait to share it with all of you. Together, let's create something amazing—something sustainable, creative, and beautiful.

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, happy sewing!

I was on A Current Affair From Breakdown to Breakthrough:

Jodie Windley
Queen of Fabric