by Lynne Cargill (
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I'm a grandmother, a retired teacher, an avid reader who loves historical re-enactment, English Country Dance, writing and Op Shopping. My business www.StepIntoHistory.com.au is designed to help children experience history through school incursions.
If you love sewing or have excess fabric to donate, this op shop is a "must visit". Located on the outskirts of Beenleigh at 30 Spanns Rd, The Sewing Lair is filled with sewing supplies of all sorts - fabric, trims, zips, buttons, magazine, patterns - at very low prices.
Run by volunteers, it is sadly only open for limited hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 9.00 to 1.00, Closed Tues, Fri 9.00 to 3.00 Sat 9.00 to 12.00.
Also for sale are handmade clothes - mainly children's - but also some beautiful bags and hats.
I found some very inexpensive knitted Barbie outfits complete with shoes and tiny handbags. There were necklaces and clocks made from and decorated with buttons, which were charmingly unusual.
Classes are offered in various skills (for children and adults) or join the Sew for Charity groups. A different project is worked on each month and given to a group in need. Check out their website for the long list of people they support.
The day I visited, masks were being made for distribution to those in need.