The Full Story
TBL Designs is an Australian Made small business located in Brisbane, Queensland. I’m Maree Simmich the owner operator of TBL Designs and here is where it all started.
I grew up in an era where sewing at home was the norm and my home was no different. My mum always made our clothes where she could, mended them if needed and knitting and crocheting was always around the house too. Back in the day fabric, patterns and haberdashery use to be reasonably affordable, so making your own clothes saved money for the family budget. All the skills my mum had were handed down to her from previous generations and I have fond memories hopping on my Granny’s old treadle machine and I used to get that thing going as fast as I could til I got busted.... so I guess you could say it’s always been in the blood.
Studying Home Economics at high school was just a given and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more and honing in on skills that allowed me to create more than just a scrunchie. I remember my year 10 assessment was to make a matinee jacket, some of you wouldn’t even know what that is, (Google it ) and I still have that jacket to this day.
Fast forwarding through the years and between moving around Australia following hubby’s military career, having 4 kids and working part time jobs where I could, I would always be sewing, either for fun making things for the kids or to earn a little on the side to help our family have extras along the way.
In September 2017 my daughters were after a certain style boho bag and asked if I would make them some. At the time I was in between jobs and my family and friends were seeing the bags and were wanting them for themselves. They encouraged me to start selling them and that’s when The Bag Lady was born. With the help and support of my family with early mornings and long days we attended markets, Ladies Nights and showcased all the creations on Facebook. We rolled along for almost 4 years working at the local high school part time and sewing/creating part time. COVID-19 popped up and I found myself at the machine 12-15 hours a day trying to keep up with the mask orders. This gave me a taste of working full time doing what I love and that’s where things started changing and developing. The journey is what it’s all about and I have had the most amazing support from my customers, family & friends over the years and they have continuously backed me, so I figured it was time to back myself...100%....no more part time, commit to my business full time. So we started with a few small changes, one being the name, to TBL Designs to incorporate all avenues of the business and added a website to showcase all that we are in one place.
I’m super proud of what I have built but none of it would be possible without my family but most of all.....customers. (Still to this day I do a little happy dance with every order that comes in) So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of this small business that is all Australian Made.
Love always Maree x