Australian sewists will likely have heard of Caz Adams, founder of Useful Box Sewing School and fearless organiser of Sydney Frocktails. A familiar face in our Sydney store, we love the joyous approach Caz takes to education and nurturing community connection. Caz's class offering at Useful Box is a true testament to her incredibly diverse skillset, connections, and creativity, and we'd encourage anyone looking to learn more about all things sewing to sign up! Read on as we chat to Caz about her sewing journey to date, plus projects past and present.

Hey Caz, please give a brief introduction of yourself to our readers!

Hi! I’m Caz Adams — sewist, teacher, and founder of Usefulbox Sewing School in Sydney. I’m passionate about helping people discover the joy and satisfaction of sewing with their own hands, and creating a welcoming space for creativity, community and learning.

We’d love to hear a little about your sewing journey – what led you to sewing, how long have you been sewing for etc.

I learned to sew when I was about 9, encouraged by my mum as she was a sensational sewist and knitter. Devastatingly, she passed away when I was 12 and I kept sewing to keep her close to me. And still do to this day. I studied Fashion Design at TAFE and worked for a couple of designers as well as working in Event Management. I came back to sewing seriously after my son was born — sewing gave me a creative outlet, a moment of calm, and a sense of identity during a time that felt a bit all-consuming.

Tell us about Useful Box, your sewing school!

Usefulbox is a modern sewing school based in Marrickville, Sydney’s Inner West. It started when some fellow Mum's asked me to teach them to sew. So I set up in the front room of my house and it has now grown into something I am super proud of. We run workshops for everyone from complete beginners to experienced sewists looking to build their skills. It’s a space where people come not just to learn, but to connect — with creativity, with each other, and with themselves. Whether you want to sew your first pair of pyjama pants or master tailoring techniques, we’ve got a class for you! We are building our Quilting and Embroidery classes at the moment too. So there really is something for everyone.

What projects are you working on, or planning towards, at the moment?

I’m currently planning Sydney Frocktails 2025, a cocktail party for sewists to meet each other and chat sewing — it’s one of my favourite community events! Personally, I'm working on some new jeans for myself. I’ve also got some quilts on the go - I never thought I would be a quilter but here I am totally addicted.

What do you wish the sewing community knew about independent small businesses?

We pour so much heart into what we do. Behind every class, every event, every email, is a real person juggling a lot to keep things running along with family commitments. Supporting small businesses doesn’t just mean buying — it can be as simple as telling a friend, leaving a review, or sharing a post. It all makes a difference.

What is it about sewing that brings you joy?

It’s the perfect mix of creativity and practicality. There’s nothing quite like putting on a garment you’ve made yourself — it’s empowering. Sewing also gives me time to slow down, focus, and be present. It’s meditation with a purpose - perfect for mental health.

Share with us what you learnt from your biggest sewing success.

That I’m more capable than I give myself credit for. Completing a complex garment — especially when it’s for a special occasion — reminds me that patience and persistence pay off.

And what you learnt from your biggest sewing flop!

Fabric choice is often more important than the actual sewing. You can sew something perfectly but if your fabric is the wrong drape or feel, you won't wear it. Oh and if you are making mistakes, walk away and make a cuppa!

Describe the space you use for sewing in 5 words... "bright, welcoming, organised (mostly!), community".

What kinds of fabrics do you prefer to sew with?

I love natural fibres — linen and cotton especially. There’s something so satisfying about their texture, the way they press beautifully and wear over time. AND I do have a super soft spot for Liberty fabrics!

What are your top 5 most-used sewing tools?

- My embroidered pincushion that was made for my Mum by her friend - It's a very sentimental possession.

- Little wooden point turner

- Frixon pen or a shard of soap for marking fabric

- My unpicker!

- Pressing rulers

Tell us the story of your favourite wardrobe item (it doesn’t have to be made by you!)

Gosh, this is a hard question. I am very proud of my wedding dress but I do love all my outfits for all the Frockails I have hosted. I look at them fondly and think of all the friendships made and how a community comes together each year. That's pretty special.

Is there anything you wish you knew about sewing before you started?

That you don’t have to do everything perfectly — you just have to start. Skills build over time, and mistakes are part of the process. Also: always prewash your fabric!

Where do you find motivation and inspiration?

From my students, honestly. Seeing people discover what they’re capable of is incredibly inspiring. I also love browsing indie pattern designers' Pinterest, and Instagram. And fabric stores — so much possibility in every roll.

Are there any other hobbies or activities you enjoy besides sewing?

I love quilting, baking, and spending time with my family and friends. I’m also trying to become more of a reader again — if only I could stay awake more than a few pages in!

If we were visiting Sydney for a day, is there anything special you would recommend we do or see?

Start with a coffee and a pastry from Brewtown in Newtown, then stroll down King Street, stopping off at The Social Outfit and Better Read than Dead. Keep trotting along King Street to Drapers Fabrics, The Fabric Store and the Button Shop. You can wander the vintage stores some more before lunch on Enmore Rd at Ladies and Gentlemen Cafe. I highly recommend the Taiwanese Pockets! Then onto Reverse Garbage in Marrickville if you’re feeling crafty and sustainable! If you're lucky you can catch a fab gig at the Enmore Theatre after a yummy French dinner at Pistou.



All Buttons Great and Small, Newtown.

Are there any favourite books, podcasts or blogs that you’d love to share?

For sewing, I love the Love to Sew podcast and my fav indie pattern designer is In the Folds and Helen's Closet. I'm a big audio book listener, given the aforementioned sleepiness, and I love "This book is not about Benedict Cumberbatch" by Tabitha Carvan. And I also can't stop watching Ted Lasso over and over again.

A very warm thank you to Caz for chatting with us this week, we're excited to spread the word about Useful Box's new classes!

We hope you've enjoyed this Friends of TFS interview, head over and follow Caz via Instagram, and don't forget to check out her website for workshops and classes.