Connecting Yards, the brainchild of Nazra Nazimudeen, is a home business offering patchworked artisan quilts and handcrafted designer baby items. Fuelled by a passion for quilting and patchwork, Nazra eventually began to monetize her talent when she started her own venture that today, has a loyal customer base. Nazra talks to the Daily Mirror Life about what inspired her business, the challenges faced and her diverse list of product offerings.

Q How did you get into patchwork and handcrafting? Is this something you always enjoyed or discovered later in life?
Well, I’ve always been quite creative and quilting was something I explored right after my A/Ls and just before I pursued my degree in Biomed. Although patchwork and quilting have been an age-old hobby, it’s not very common in Sri Lanka, especially modern patchwork and quilting. This was what got me interested. I explored various fabrics, patterns and colours, after all as a patchwork designer fabric is to me what paint is to an artist, and came up with very modern designs which were a major hit among friends and family. 

Q What’s your favourite and most challenging aspect of what you do?
Oh, my favourites are many, from choosing a design, choosing the right colour palette, making a mood board to get the creative juices flowing and my favourite - combining different types of fabrics! A nice geometric patchwork quilt is a thrilling adventure too! Having to hack my brain to get the math right no matter how tiring it is, once the quilt is done and hearing that satisfaction from the client is the best feeling ever! 

The biggest challenge for me is time! As I mentioned before I’m a full-time mom by choice, and anyone knows how challenging that is. So sometimes, work gets really overwhelming and I tend to face a creative block, but lots of prayers a good break and constant support from the family and most importantly the encouraging messages I receive from my followers praising my work give me a complete boost!

I also believe the busiest person has time for everything! So I try to juggle it all by planning ahead and starting my work in the very early hours of the day.

Q What inspired you to turn your hobby into a business?
When my son was born I made all his baby essentials from the cot bedding to the quilts as I couldn’t find the designs I wanted, and anyone who visited him during that stage absolutely loved those and the rest is history. With the support and encouragement from my husband, family and friends, Connecting Yards was born. I started off with a Facebook page, and with just a shoe box full of my favourite fabrics I had collected. It was also an opportunity for me to work from home while I tended to my baby. 

Q What are the products you offer at present?
My products range from 

• Play quilts – of varying sizes and designs
• Cot bedding – everything a newborn needs for the cot 
• Bubble quilts 
• Sensory play quilts – with textured fabrics, 3D soft toys and bright colours for sensory stimulation
• Memory quilts – made out of baby’s outfits they’ve outgrown but so treasured as the memories associated with each outfit is too precious to be put away, so moms reach out to me to make a memory quilt using these outfits and the quilt can be treasured for many years. 

I also make products for toddlers and children who are older, such as reading pillows, blankets, quilts for teens, cushions and much more.

Most importantly we also customise baby gifts! I’ve brought an elegant and luxurious touch to baby gifting. You can customise your gifts for that special little bub and we package them elegantly and deliver it to welcome the new little baby! So far all my gift packages have been such a hit, as all items are one of a kind and handmade passionately with so much care. 

Q Do you also customise according to customer requirements?
Yes, of course! Customers send me their ideas and inspirations and I work along with them until we come to a beautiful finish! Their ideas and input matter so much to me! I believe a mom’s personality should blend to get the product right! 

Q What is the order process like? 
I mostly operate online and so try my best to reply to any queries within 24 hours. A client can send me any pictures or themes they’d like and from there onwards, we discuss prices and colours and much more. To confirm an order a non-refundable deposit must be made. Usually, since all these are handmade I suggest moms reach out to me 2-3 months prior. I take orders through Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok too.

Q What’s next for you and your business?
As for me, I’m constantly learning new things, and techniques relating to my profession and I don’t believe that should stop at any stage. As for the business, I have many new products coming up not just for babies but for home decorations and so on. 

Pix: Connecting Yards