Childhood experiences often shape who we become as adults, influencing our passions and pursuits. For Nest volunteer Lynne, her fond memories of summers spent in her Grandma’s house in the Blue Mountains laid the foundation for a lifelong love of crafting.
A Tiny House with Big Memories
Lynne reflects on her Grandma’s home, describing it as “the original tiny house.” Originally a garage, the space was transformed into a cozy living environment filled with her Grandma’s handmade creations.
“I have great memories of visiting her and loving the house. She made everything—clothes, furniture, curtains—I just thought what she did was amazing.”
This nurturing environment became a comforting constant for Lynne, especially during the challenging time of her parents’ divorce, inspiring her passion for making.
A Passion for Crafting
As a self-taught, multidisciplinary crafter, Lynne has explored a variety of artistic expressions. However, quilting remains her primary focus.
“My main craft has always been quilting. I’ve done that for 30 years now… but I like to branch out into other things—I can do knitting, crochet, embroidery, all kinds—but quilting is the big one that I’ve done the most.”
Since 2017, Lynne has been sharing her skills at The Nest Community, conducting workshops on slow stitching and Mexican embroidery, which have served as vital fundraising initiatives.
Preserving Craft Heritage
When The Nest relocated to Brendale, Lynne continued her involvement by managing a regular shift in The Nest Haberdashery. She also took on the important role of curating The Nest’s Heritage Collection, dedicated to documenting sewing memorabilia as a testament to women’s craft knowledge.
“There was a big donation of silver thimbles recently… It was obviously someone’s collection. We have a lot more stored while we work out a way to display and store them and keep them safe.”
A Tribute to Grandma: The Diorama Project
Lynne’s next project is an exciting homage to her Grandma’s tiny house: a diorama. Inspired by an old book she found in a secondhand shop about miniatures, she aims to recreate her Grandma’s home, despite the challenges of limited photographs and the house being renovated after her Grandma’s passing.
“I don’t have many photos of it, and when she died, it was sold and renovated, so the original profile is no longer there.”
To tackle this intricate project, Lynne has embraced new techniques, including taking a course at the State Library to learn how to use a laser cutter for her miniatures.
Crafting the Details
While Lynne explores new methods for constructing the diorama, her craft skills are essential for creating the interiors.
“I’ve made the lounge suite from start to finish and crocheted a throw rug… I spend a lot of time in secondhand shops looking for vintage fabric for authenticity.”
Finding the right materials has its challenges, particularly when it comes to patterns in scale. Nevertheless, Lynne remains dedicated to ensuring every detail reflects her Grandma’s unique style.
Anticipation for the Final Result
As Lynne continues her creative journey, everyone at The Nest Community eagerly awaits the finished diorama. Her project not only honors her Grandma’s legacy but also showcases the transformative power of childhood experiences in shaping our passions and pursuits.
We can’t wait to see the finished result!