Meet Lauren, the creative force behind Guthrie & Ghani, a sewing and fabric store based in Birmingham, UK. With a background in physiotherapy, Lauren took a leap of faith to turn her passion for sewing into a thriving business.
What prompted you to start a business?
Sewing and making things had always been a hobby for me, but my professional career initially took me in a completely different direction. So I used to be a physiotherapist, which is obviously nothing related to sewing at all. Over time, I realized I wasn’t enjoying my job anymore and wanted to do something different.
At the same time, my husband owned a derelict building that needed renovation. So we decided to set up a fabric shop and sewing school in the building. If the business didn’t work, at least we would have successfully renovated the space. It all started because I had something I loved – sewing – that I wanted to share with other people.
While the renovations were underway, I was accepted as a contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee. The timing worked out perfectly because the show created a lot of interest in sewing across the UK. I opened the shop right as the show aired, and that visibility gave my business a huge boost. It wasn’t part of a grand plan—it just came together at the right time. Now, 12 years later, here I am, still doing it and loving it!
Where is the name Guthrie and Ghani from?
The name comes from my surname, Guthrie, which is Scottish, and my husband’s surname, Ghani, which is of Pakistani origin. When we were trying to come up with a name, we went through all sorts of sewing-related ideas, but nothing really stood out. Then I came across a book of old photographs of shops in Birmingham from the last hundred years, and I noticed that most of them were named after their owners. That inspired me to put my own name on my business, mark it as mine. I felt proud of what I was creating, and I wanted it to reflect that.
Having a name that wasn’t specific to sewing also gave me flexibility. When we first started, we sold a variety of crafting supplies, not just dressmaking materials. Over time, we refined our focus, but the name still worked because it was personal to me rather than being tied to a specific niche.
Favourite and least favourite parts of running a business?
My favourite part is that I get to spend my days surrounded by fabric and sewing! I still sew a lot as part of my job, and it’s great to be able to dip into the shop’s fabric whenever I want to make something new. I also love the community that has built up around the shop and the connections I’ve made with customers over the years.
The part I like the least? The admin and paperwork. There are so many essential but tedious business tasks that have nothing to do with sewing, and they take up a lot of time.
Favourite sewing patterns/designers?
I had to think about this question! I’ve looked back at the garments that I’ve made over the years, that I’ve ended up wearing the most, because I make virtually everything that I wear.
The ones I reach for the most are from Closet Core Patterns. I’ve made a lot of their patterns and often multiple versions of each one as well. If I had to pick just one favourite, it would be the Ginger Jeans pattern. I love wearing jeans, and I’ve made so many pairs over the years that they’ve become a wardrobe staple for me.
Any other fabric stores you admire?
I really like Blackbird Fabrics. They have an amazing range of fabrics, with lots of different colours and textures to choose from. They’re too far away for me to shop from (Canada), and as a fabric store owner, it’s hard to justify buying fabric elsewhere—but I love following them for inspiration.
Any advice for people considering opening a fabric store?
Find your niche within the niche. You can’t be everything to everyone, so you need to pick an angle you care about and focus on that. It’ll help you differentiate yourself.
Replic: the blog 