Posted by Rachel Westall on 27 March 2023
The company was first started in 2004 in a tiny attic space in Newlyn, Cornwall. Initially it was just Poppy and one very old Singer sewing machine which she used to develop a technique called Freehand Machine Embroidery. Her first collection featured tea cosies, cushions and textile pots drawn in stitch with imagery taken direct from her sketches of fishing boats, cottages and flowers. Poppy Treffry, Company Director and Tamsin Hosken, Wholesale Manager talk to Craft Focus about their fabulous range of giftware and sewing projects...
The company was first started in 2004 in a tiny attic space in Newlyn, Cornwall. Initially it was just Poppy and one very old Singer sewing machine which she used to develop a technique called Freehand Machine Embroidery. Her first collection featured tea cosies, cushions and textile pots drawn in stitch with imagery taken direct from her sketches of fishing boats, cottages and flowers.
How has the company evolved? What's new?
Over the years the company has grown and Poppy began to work with freelance stitchers to re-create her designs. As orders came in, she recruited a small team to work with her on cutting and finishing the products, and then on marketing and production. During the Covid pandemic Poppy developed an online course which she called Embroidery Club which took off and now forms an important part of the year for the team. Her new course Quilt Club takes place in early 2023.
What do you specialise in?
We specialise in freehand machine embroidery, and we sell mainly accessories, gifts and homewares all featuring Poppy's designs, either embroidered or printed. Our little coin purses are a staple product as are our little embroidered products. More recently, our new sewing projects (inspired by Poppy's embroidery clubs) have become great new products and opened up new customers in the crafts sector.
We're really excited about our new tea cosy project. Tea cosies have been a quirky feature of Poppy's collections right from the beginning so it will be lovely to offer a cosy that customers can make themselves. The design is inspired by Cornish coves and lighthouses and we're really happy with it!
Do your products suit all levels of crafters?
Our sewing projects are perfect for those just starting out with their first sewing machine but they're also great for the experienced sewer who wants a quick achievable project, and they make great gifts too.
How often do you launch new ranges?
We launch new ranges twice a year in spring and autumn.
How would you advise a retailer who is interested in stocking your products?
We'll be showing the whole range at Top Drawer in the Craft section. When you order we're able to provide point of sale information and samples of finished projects to help retailers communicate with customers. You can apply for an account on our website or get in touch for a chat.
What sets you apart from your competitors?
Our sewing projects are all designed personally by Poppy. Every project has a little 'designed by Poppy Treffry, made my me' label, so this is the only way you'll get to make your own Poppy Treffry product.
We exhibit at Top drawer Spring in the Craft section, and we'll be there this January on stand CRE01.
What are you looking forward to most over the next year?
I'm looking forward to launching our new sewing projects at Top Drawer and seeing if customers love them as much as we do. I'm also really excited to be developing more sewing projects and embroidery clubs.
What new products can we expect from you in the future?
Poppy is hoping to develop some more challenging sewing projects for those who are already comfortable behind the sewing machine, or those that have completed some of the simpler projects and are ready to take things to the next level.
Poppy Treffry Ltd
tamsin@poppytreffry.co.uk
www.poppytreffry.co.uk
