About Jean Fullerton and Sheila Newcombe

We met each other about 3 years ago. A mutual friend who knew I was making handbags for friends in a small way introduced us, and she thought I would benefit from knowing Jean, as she has a knitting machine!!!! How right she was.

We are now the best of friends and we went into business in Jan. 2008. Jean was brought up in Brae and lived with her Mum, Dad, sister and brother. It was a typical Shetland household, and like many at that time, it had a knitting machine. Jean learned from her parents and her first job was with Thule Knit, who sent her on a six week course to Jedburgh, to learn linking, which is a skilled job, and there are few qualified linkers today, hence she is still in much demand.

Jean has a great talent for putting colours together and getting it just right. I (Sheila) was brought up in Lerwick, and I have always loved knitting and sewing, from a very early age. When I went to the Anderson High School, domestic science (sewing, knitting and cooking) was my favourite subject. In the sixties trendy clothes wasn’t on sale much in Shetland, so I often made my own.  Mary Quant was my favourite designer. As the years went on, I made for my children; I joined drama groups and loved to design costumes.  I am really enjoying myself now, designing handbags.

Jean and I are a good team; we know how each other ticks, and we are continually coming up with new ideas. Our passion is, the tradition of Fair Isle. By setting up our business we feel we have developed a modern twist to a traditional craft. We are passionate about Fair Isle patterns and knitwear, and we hope to show the world just how beautiful it is.