As I write this, I know it probably sounds a bit odd; a love letter to a magazine. But it’s so accurate I can’t think of another way to describe it.
Cactus Revival has featured in the UK magazine Simply Sewing. If you’re not a sewer, there’s a good chance that you’ve never heard of it. For me, it’s been a staple in our house for many years, playing a substantial role in the development of Cactus.
In truth, Cactus might not have got past the idea stage without it.
Funnily enough, it was my husband who supported my love affair. When our son was little, we’d go for a walk in the pram down to our local shops. First stop the op shops of course, then errands; bakery, fruit and veg, supermarket. We’d watch the trains come through the station, boom gates dinging, the construction site in full swing with diggers digging, and then, once a month, popping into the newsagency to see if there was the latest sewing magazine.
It started out with Mollie Makes, which covered all sorts of crafts; crochet, sewing, knitting, paper craft, clay, you name it. My husband picked up on this new interest, and one Christmas he bought me a subscription – my hit of craftiness was delivered straight to our door!
As I became more interested in sewing, I switched to Simply Sewing magazine and I’d eagerly anticipate its arrival. Coming from the UK, each issue was centred around the opposite season; I’d be reading about Spring crafts in Autumn, but that didn’t matter. I started out small, making things for our family and friends; felt food for play kitchens, little quilts and gifts new babies, a laptop case, then, as I became more confident, clothes for our son.
At the same time, I was building the idea for Cactus Revival. I started writing things down, talking to close friends and confidants about it, then acquaintances and total strangers, gauging their reactions and thoughts. Some people got it straight away, but I’d say the majority probably had a bit of a puzzled look, or a ‘that’s nice but it will never work’ look. I still remember one woman saying, “do you really think people will want to buy that?”
I know that so many comments likely came from a place of total kindness and good intentions; to save me the pain of failure, but still, they would dampen my spirits.
Just when I would get down and question what I was doing, I’d read an article in Simply Sewing about a purpose-based business in the UK or Europe that was going against the trend, and it would pick me up and I’d believe in myself again.
Reading their stories inspired me to pursue Cactus, to believe that it could work. When you’re doing something completely new, and you face those puzzled looks, you’re desperate for some understanding from those who ‘get it’. Simply Sewing and the stories within it, of people I’ve never met, provided this when I needed it.
And so, for Cactus Revival to feature in my favourite magazine, the one that has inspired and encouraged me and I eagerly await every month, gives me the most amazing feeling. We did it; Cactus is here, it’s understood, and I hope that it continues to go from strength to strength, saving as much clothing from landfill as we can.
