Liz Taylor opened South Fabrics in 1995 after making the move from Inverness, Scotland to Echuca 50 years ago.
A dressmaker back home, she wanted to continue her passion for dressmaking and design in Australia, even if it was 17,000km from home.
After moving to Australia and travelling with her husband, she settled in Echuca.
She needed a job and decided to take up her passion once again and opened South Fabrics.
Liz said owning a business for the first time was a daunting prospect, but one that was made easier by her customers.
“There was plenty of competition and running a business was something very new to me,” she said.
“I think my love of the work helped me get through but it was the great people I met and continue to meet that made it all possible.”
Now, her store is a well-known name in the patchworking community.
Customers travel from as far as Shepparton, Deniliquin, Bendigo and Cohuna to see the wide range of fabrics available.
She said she had a great relationship with her regular customers, but also enjoyed helping tourists with their fabric needs.
“The first thing patchworkers do when they visit a new town is visit the local shops,” she said.
“I love hearing where they come from and what project they’re working on. I’ve met some lovely people like that.”
South Fabrics is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 1pm Saturday at 256 Anstruther St. For more information, phone 5482 2655.