Hi, I’m Mandy
I am an embroidery machine dealer, digitiser, teacher and self-confessed machine embroidery addict based in Auckland, New Zealand. Everything I do comes back to one mission: getting embroidery machines out of their boxes and helping people fall in love with what they can create. If your machine is still in its box, I am talking to you. Lovingly, but I am.
My Story
After years working in the corporate and public sectors, I started my first embroidery business as a way to work flexibly from home while my children were small. That business was Veronica and Me Designs, named after my eldest daughter Veronica. Yes, she is named after Veronica Mars, my ultimate TV obsession, which makes it rather fitting that my newest project is a mystery stitch-along.
What began as a side venture pulled me into the world of embroidery digitising, small business ownership and a crowd of wonderfully creative people. In July 2017 I went looking for a place where New Zealand machine embroiderers could connect, could not find one, and did what any sensible addict would do: I started the NZ Machine Embroidery Addicts Facebook group. It has since grown into a thriving community with regular meetups and workshops, and it has well and truly taken on a life of its own.
In 2018 my passion for supporting Kiwi embroiderers led to a partnership with Echidna Sewing, one of Australia’s largest Brother sewing and embroidery machine retailers. That role grew into my own business, EmbroideryMachines.co.nz, where I am the New Zealand Agent for Echidna Sewing and help Kiwis get Brother and Halo embroidery machines with proper local training and support. The kind of support I wished existed when I was starting out.
These days you will also find me teaching workshops, mentoring embroiderers and small business owners, speaking at events and making content that helps people get more from their machines.
What I Do
EmbroideryMachines.co.nz
Brother and Halo embroidery machine sales, supplies, training and support for New Zealand. I am also the NZ Agent for Echidna Sewing.
Veronica and Me Embroidery
My embroidery services business, stitching custom embroidery for businesses, teams and individuals across New Zealand.
Veronica and Me Designs
My embroidery digitising business, turning artwork into production-ready embroidery files for embroiderers worldwide.
Mystery, She Sewed
A mystery-themed embroidery stitch-along, already two mysteries in.
NZ Machine Embroidery Addicts
New Zealand’s community for machine embroiderers, founded in 2017.
If you found me through Veronica and Me, you are in exactly the right place. Same person behind the needle, and that name is not going anywhere. It is named after my daughter, after all.
What I Believe
Support matters most
A machine is only as good as the support behind it. I have unboxed enough of them alongside customers to know.
The right machine, not the dearest one
I would much rather help you choose the right machine than talk you into the wrong one.
Embroidery should be fun
Machines belong out of their boxes, not in them.
Knowledge is for sharing
The embroidery community has taught me plenty, and I try to give back more than I take.
Say Hello
Whether you are choosing your first machine, need embroidery done, want a design digitised or would like me to speak or teach, I would love to hear from you. I do love a chat, especially about embroidery.
Find Me Online
NZ Machine Embroidery Addicts Facebook Group | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube