Introducing Natasha from Miss Cooper Makes. Where every item is handmade!! From her home studio in Melbourne, Victoria, Natasha loves to sew practical, everyday items that are often reusable alternatives to single-use products.
Find out why Natasha started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
At Miss Cooper Makes I sew practical, everyday items that are often reusable alternatives to single-use products or are items that can be used for multiple purposes. One of my most popular items are the handlebar bags that can be used for prams, scooters and bikes. I've had one customer use it for their golf bag and other customers who use them as a car tidy, I love when people find new uses that I may not have even thought of. My range also includes tote bags, heat packs and homewares.
My range is made up of items that I use myself, with fabrics that are often upcycled, purchased through de-stash fabric groups, thrifted or carefully sourced new materials. Every item is handmade by me in my Melbourne home studio.
I spend time on the details, making sure each item is durable using techniques like topstitching and backstitching in key areas to create a polished finish.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
Before starting Miss Cooper Makes, I worked in graphic design and marketing where I developed a strong appreciation for good design across a range of businesses. My interest in sustainable living led me to launch a beeswax wrap business, which introduced me to working with organic and natural fabrics and then, over time, sewing became my favourite creative outlet.
As someone who loves op shopping and finding ways to reduce waste, I began experimenting with fabrics, making gifts and sewing for myself, my friends and family. This slowly grew into Miss Cooper Makes, a business that combines creativity, sustainability and my love of making useful things by hand.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
I'm inspired by both the materials I find and my natural curiosity about how things are made. I've always loved the challenge of working out how something is made. I enjoy the puzzle of construction and figuring out how different pieces come together to create a finished product. I've taken items apart just to understand how they were assembled, and to explore whether there might be a different or improved way of making them.
I love pattern hacking, experimenting with design elements, and combining ideas from different patterns to create something unique. For me, sewing is equal parts creativity and problem-solving. Sustainability plays a role in my work and I'm always thinking about how to design items that are reusable, long-lasting and help reduce waste.
Where did you learn your craft?
I did a few small sewing projects growing up, but I only really started my sewing journey when my kids were little and I wanted to sew for them, and I found I really enjoyed the process and working with fabrics. Learning from others and online tutorials have been a big part of building my skills and confidence, along with plenty of trial and error, each project teaches me something new. I've picked up so much through trial and error.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
It's always rewarding to get to the end of a project and it's exactly how you envisioned it. I love to give home-made gifts, if not something from the sewing machine then something from the kitchen, but it's even better to receive something that someone has made by hand. For me, creating is a form of meditation, a chance to slow down, to concentrate on the process. My sewing projects need to fit into everything else that life entails, so sometimes I find myself working on projects for only small amounts of time each day, but I can walk away from the sewing table knowing that the small amount of time I've spent on that project today means it's one step closer to being finished and in someone else's hands.
Natasha is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ MadeIt: Handmade not Massmade Australia ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Miss Cooper Makes make sure you join our FB Group and say hi!
