'So here I am. It just worked out!'

Darn It & Stitch haberdasher’s on the Triangle has a new owner who’s promised new products and new workshops.

 

Corinne Paddock, pictured, took over from Cathy Baker on October 1, and said she is “really excited to get into new products and a new range of things”.

She said she’ll be bringing in different fabrics and wools, “dressmaking fabrics are coming soon; so really expanding on everything ... I’m really looking forward to being part of the community, to be honest, because it’s such a community feel round here.”

She added that she hopes to also feature other gift-related products such as cards and wrapping paper in the shop.

Corinne had to retire from her previous career in dog grooming, which she’d been doing for the last 10 years, for health reasons

“But what I used to do, as soon as I finished work, was go upstairs to my spare room and sew. And crochet ... so this was my life after work. And Cathy was selling the shop, and I used to come over and see Cathy and buy bits and pieces, and when I saw Cathy was selling ... I thought this could be my opportunity.

“I’ve got to give up grooming, which I never thought I’d do. But then I can go on to what I love doing in my evenings which was sewing and haberdashery, which is what I always wanted to do.

“So here I am. It just worked out!”

Corinne said she’s particularly looking forward to Halloween, and hoping to join a ‘Bitterne Park Halloween trail that’s being set up, and organising some Covid-safe workshops for children.