Petronia, Burundi

My name is Petronia and I come from Burundi. I came to Australia in 2005 with my family and husband. I have eight children. One boy lives in America, one girl lives in Canada. Recently I went to America and Canada to visit them.

I live in Australia and come to SisterWorks every Wednesday. And I take a class in sewing with RMIT.

I do that Monday and Tuesday. I’m lucky: SisterWorks showed me how to sew bags for laptops. I sell these bags for $35 dollars. I’m lucky, and very, very happy.

I also make basket sometimes. When SisterWorks calls me, I’ll go to markets and try and sell them.

A small one is $25.00, a larger one, $45.00. Thank you, SisterWorks, for showing me how to sell my things and make money. I am very, very happy!

I have started print-making, so that I can focus on design as well as production.

I make the stamps from timber, and stamp paint onto fabric which I then use to sew products. I have started to make dresses, skirts, pants, iPad cases and shopping bags. I am still making laptop bags, in mixed colours and different materials. I have launched my new collection in the SisterWorks store.

I have just started learning to make bags from firm paper in the SisterWorks design lab. I have also begun painting pots for the pot plants for sale in the store.

I am always looking to develop my skills and create new products.”