Hi Everyone my name is Jo & I am the face behind Valley Threads & The Stitchery, my sewing studio based in Ferrymead, Christchurch – NZ

I live in the beautiful Heathcote Valley surrounded by the Port Hills with my amazing family that consists of my husband Scott and our two dogs Indie & Monty.

I don’t remember how old I was when I started sewing, maybe 10 years old?

My mother is a super talented sewist who made all our clothes growing up (with my favourite and most prized garment being a blue & yellow sweatshirt with a big ‘J’ on the front), and out of the 3 daughters she has, I was the only one to catch the sewing bug.

It’s not surprising that my favourite subject at school was sewing, so after leaving school I studied Fashion & Design, from there I worked as a Machinist for various companies around Christchurch, working my way up to being a Sample Machinist and then into the pattern rooms to become a Pattern Maker.

I absolutely loved my time sewing on the factory floor, the skills you learn are invaluable,

Even though it’s been about 17years (crikey!) since I was sewing on the factory floor, I still use all those skills today.

It became clear to me early on in my career that becoming a Fashion Designer was not the direction I wanted to be heading in, instead I was pulled towards construction, the development & the patterning of garments. I much prefer the product development side of the industry, so that is the area I have been working in now for various companies around Christchurch.

I have dreamed for years about owning a small sewing studio to sew exciting new projects for myself and to sell under my Valley Threads label. Also, to teach people the joy of sewing for themselves, creating a wearable garment from a piece of fabric that fits their bodies.

When I am not sewing, you will most likely find me up on the Port Hills walking my dogs, mountain biking, or training for my next bikepacking adventure.