Susanna Freymark
The Sewing Basket is more than a shop that sells fabric – there are four other Sewing Basket shops – three in Sydney and one at the Central Coast.
The first country Sewing Basket shop opened in Casino today, Saturday, October 10.
Achieve chief executive officer Jo-Anne Hewitt from Sydney was at the Achieve office to cut the opening ribbon.
“Why Casino?” Ms Hewitt said.
“In 2016, Achieve came to the Northern Rivers. Then in 2024, Windara became part of Achieve.
“The Sewing Basket is the next step in that story.”
Achieve Australia is a not-for-profit disability support provider.
Ms Hewitt said Achieve’s ambition is for the shop in Casino to go beyond selling fabric.
“This is a space for the community,” she said.
Next year, the Sewing Basket will run workshops and bring together skills and guest artists.
“Come not just to shop – learn something new and spend time in a welcome space,” she said.
“This is what makes this investment worthwhile.”
Shop managers Tina Mettam and Joanne Parmenter said it was exciting to have the shop open.
I used to work at Brenda Armfield’s curtain shop, Ms Parmenter said.
The first customer at the Sewing Basket today was Molly who bought a scrunchie set. 
The Sewing Basket is open 10am–4pm on weekdays and 9am–noon on Saturdays.
The shop is at The Chambers, 98 Walker Street, Casino.
The shop accepts donations. See the photo below for what they need.