Photo (above) credit: Chris Millar
The catalyst for BecksFabrics is a truly touching story.
Julia Jeffrey’s daughter Becky was born premature at only 31 weeks gestation. She weighed only 2 pounds 3 ounces. Becky spent the next two months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where all premature babies begin their lives.
“Those were scary times” admits Julia “and I needed to find something to channel my negative energy.”
She thought back to the cheery piles of colourful fabric that always adorned her grandmother’s place. “She always had projects on the go and I loved to play with them imagining what I could make.”
Julia started sewing baby clothes, blankets and car seat canopies for Becky. Eventually she found herself sewing for friends as well. Six years ago she opened an online fabric store. More recently she took a leap of faith and opened a bricks and mortar location 365 Healey Road, Unit 26, in Bolton.
As a Registered Nurse (with a BA in Psychology and BScN) Julia still spends days in a hospital operating room. But her love of fabric and sewing developed into this business model which she cannot ignore. And she is passionate about both.
Balancing the two is challenging but she is determined. “I am a one-woman show” she explains “answering emails and messages, cutting, packing, shipping, ordering stock, meeting customers at the store, and adding new items to the website.”
It is easy to understand why, for at least the time being, viewing fabrics at the Bolton store is by appointment only.
BecksFabrics carries different fabrics, mostly cottons but also knits, minky, fleece and more. You will also find patterns, batting and notions.
Recently Julia teamed up with another well-known Bolton name, photographer and seamstress Chris Millar. Chris agreed to teach some sewing classes at Beck’s and there was so much interest they decided to run a “Sewing Camp” for girls. Spaces filled up so quickly that they now considering running it for another week in August.
If you find yourself feeling sew excited about this local business you can reach out using the methods below:
You can view fabrics and order online on the Website
You can also stay in touch by following the Facebook page or Instagram @BecksFabrics
Inquires can also be made by email to becksfabrics@gmail.com
