It's the dilemma faced by many makers who are starting out – where to make your creations once your work outgrows the kitchen table.
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It's something Chris Lloyd well and truly understands, having always wanted to start her own fashion label.
"When I was growing up I was always sewing or knitting or crocheting – I'd stay up half the night to make an outfit for the next day. But I guess life got busy," she said.
"So I put my sewing machine away nearly 20 years ago and I've been looking at it sitting in the corner for that long and longing to have the time and energy to get it out again."
After decades in the public service, Lloyd, now in her fifties, started looking at retail spaces to launch her own label six months ago. She stumbled across almost 700 square metres vacant at the Cusack Centre in Kingston, which overlooks Green Square.
"I found it by accident and just fell in love with it. I knew that it wasn't appropriate just for a small shop for me but I could see it as a collaborative space where other people like me who put off their creative side could come together," she said.
Lloyd showed the huge space to her husband David Traylen, and together they've now launched Canberra and Region Designers in Fashion – a not-for-profit that provides space and support to fashion designers.
The 'working hub' has 12 studios – four of which have already been snapped up by designers – plus a large common area with cutting tables, storage, racking and kitchen facilities, plus a pattern maker and machinist who will be available to designers on a fee-for-service basis.
CARDIF also has a retail arm – CARDIF Collective – which is a shop that CARDIF members can sell their creations without having to actually be there.
While the venture officially opens in February next year, the venue is opening up for a special Christmas shopping pop-up from this weekend, selling the work of 30 local artists and giving the public a chance to check out the space.
And as for Lloyd's sewing machine? It's been dusted off and Lloyd's planning to launch her own label by mid-2016.
The pop-up market is on December 12-22, and is open from 10am-4pm weekends and 10am-6pm weekdays. See cardifcollective.com.au