Let it Sew with the Sewing Project
Tucked away in the Noosaville industrial area is a creative haven where fabric becomes art, where rooms find their personality and where every stitch tells a story. Ida Fink Gundtoft unravels the threads of creativity, craftsmanship and legacy with The Sewing Project.
There’s something deeply comforting about the hum of a sewing machine. That rhythmic brum that speaks of patience, skill and the quiet joy of making something beautiful from scratch.
I’ve always admired people who can turn fabric into beauty. As someone who crochets and embroiders (and has recently attempted to upholster a couch to disguise my dog’s enthusiastic scratch marks), I know just how much patience, precision and passion it takes to make something by hand.
Yet, despite my love for all things crafty, the second-hand sewing machine sitting in my cupboard remains my nemesis. Every time I try, it eats my fabric and tangles the thread into a mess.
Perhaps it’s time to call in the professionals. There’s no better place to start than The Sewing Project, Noosaville.
This is a place where sewing isn’t just a skill, it’s a legacy.
When owner Tracey opened the doors in September 2016, she imagined a one-stop destination for all things home furnishings: a place where people could find custom curtains, blinds, upholstery and cushions under one roof.
Today, that vision has blossomed into a creative hub where craftsmanship, design and heart are woven together as seamlessly as the fabrics that line the showroom.
Tracey’s own story reads like a love letter to sewing: she first picked up a needle at around four years old, stitching tiny outfits for her dolls while her father, an upholsterer, worked nearby.
On weekends she would scour his factory floor for leftover foam and fabric scraps – treasures she turned into her own creations. Her mother taught her the basics and by the age of thirteen she had her first sewing machine, crafting curtains, clothes and even wedding dresses for family and friends.
With tailors, seamstresses and curtain makers on both sides of the family, it’s no surprise that sewing runs deep in her veins. Tracey’s aunt in the UK was a professional curtain maker who taught her to “do it properly or not at all”. Her great-grandmother and great-aunt were tailoresses, and her uncle a tailor.
Perhaps the most remarkable thread in this family tapestry is that of Tracey’s great-great-great-great-great-grandmother, who in the 1800s visited Newgate Prison in London to teach sewing to women being transported to Australia. Each woman was given a Bible and a sewing kit, a humble start to a new life stitched with hope and skill.
That spirit of care, creativity and craftsmanship still shapes everything The Sewing Project does today.
Step inside the bright, fabric-filled showroom on Rene Street, Noosaville, and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a tactile wonderland.
Rolls of fabric line the walls, soft linens, bold prints and intricate weaves from designers around the world. You’ll find the likes of Walter G, Anna Spiro, Mokum, Warwick, Textilia, James Dunlop, 3 Beaches Textiles, Westbury and more – names that make design lovers swoon.
Customers are welcome to browse, borrow swatches and dream up their next project, whether it’s elegant drapes for a coastal home or outdoor cushions that can withstand the sun.
The beauty of The Sewing Project lies in its process: personal, hands-on and refreshingly collaborative. Clients can pop in to chat through ideas, discuss the right fabric for a particular space or seek advice on trims, textures and foam options. The team’s expertise extends beyond aesthetics: they consider durability, function and the little details that make a home sing.
For larger projects, home visits are part of the experience. Tracey and her team take precise measurements to ensure a perfect fit, whether that’s for
a classic window or a tricky architectural nook. Most of the work is completed in-house, with additional workrooms to manage larger-scale projects, all handled with the same meticulous care.
It’s no surprise that The Sewing Project has built a loyal following among architects, interior designers and home decorators alike. Over the years, projects have ranged from intimate and domestic to grand and complex: curtains for Kenilworth and Kin Kin Halls; velvet swags and tails for a bespoke Verrierdale home (hung from crescent-shaped rails that required scaffolding); and boat cushions for a restored 1950s motor launch in Sydney. In between those statement pieces, the team is just as happy fixing a broken zip on a favourite cushion. Because every stitch matters – and that’s exactly what makes this business so endearing.
The Sewing Project isn’t a faceless interiors brand. It’s a warm, bustling workshop run by a team who clearly love what they do.
There’s Bethany, who keeps the business humming along, zipping around Noosa in The Sewing Project van measuring curtains and delivering fabrics (and occasionally, cake). With a sharp eye for design and a no-nonsense attitude, she ensures each project runs smoothly from concept to completion.
Jo, with her interior design background, brings a creative spark and an encouraging approach, nudging clients toward bolder choices they might not have considered. Rommy is the queen of the sewing room – an exceptional seamstress with years of experience; while Lisa, who’s been part of the team since the beginning, adds wisdom and consistency. The newest recruit, Jodi, has already become indispensable, bringing fresh energy and skill to the workroom. An absolute powerhouse of talented women.
Together, they create more than curtains and cushions, they create comfort, atmosphere and home decor that tells stories.
For Tracey, the philosophy is simple: provide the best customer service possible at a fair price. Whether it’s a single-bedroom curtain or an entire resort refit, every client receives the same level of attention to detail, respect and care.
Standing in the showroom, surrounded by rolls of colour and texture, it’s easy to feel inspired. Or at least a little braver about finally tackling that old sewing machine at home.
The Sewing Project is proof that traditional craftsmanship still has a vital place in our fast-paced, throwaway world. Every hem, pleat and stitch tells a story. One of family, skill, patience and pride, and in Noosa, that story continues to unfold beautifully.
If you want to transform your space with custom curtains, blinds, upholstery or cushions, all crafted with care, you ab-sew-lutely know who to call.
