Westfield Woman Creates Quilted, Hand Embroidered Items for the Home

Growing up in Westfield, Meg Fahrenbach distinctly remembers her grandmother visiting their home and setting up her quilt frame in the living room. That was the first time Fahrenbach was introduced to sewing, as well as the idea of being an artist when she grew up.

Since then, Fahrenbach has become a professional stock photographer for Getty Images. After suffering an injury in August of 2012, she reevaluated other ways she could be creative since she was unable to shoot for a few months, so she decided to launch her quilting and embroidery shop, Tea and Brie, on Etsy. 

Fahrenbach was already quilting and embroidering things for her children and as she shared them on Facebook and her blog she was contacted by friends and friends of friends to create custom items. She quickly decided it was time to set up shop and took to Etsy. She was already familiar with the platform from her photography and knew it would suit her new plan well.

“I knew that I wanted the ability to directly communicate with my customers about creating unique and personalized items based on their individual preferences and tastes, as well as an ability to build relationships with them,” she explained. “Etsy allows you to do both.”

Some of her most popular items include pillows, which serve as great gifts for a newborn, as a housewarming gift, or as a baby shower or bridal shower gift, she said.

Fahrenbach personalizes each pillow with the name, date, or saying of the customers choosing, typically in a color that coordinates with the patchwork border.

She added that hand embroidered ornaments are very popular, especially because of the holidays.

View the photos to get a better look at some of Tea and Brie’s items.

“I also love it when customers will contact me with a quote, theme, or color scheme, and tell me to have at it!,” Fahrenbach said. “I love the freedom that is involved in creating on the fly, and I find it incredibly inspiring to all aspects of my life and work, not just that particular project.  It is refreshing!”

Fahrenbach said that custom jobs are her favorite pieces to create.

“I really believe that we all have the ability to be creative, and that if you have an idea in mind, you shouldn't hesitate to contact me!”, she said.  “I am happy to work with you to develop the idea and make it come to life.”

Fahrenbach lives in Westfield with her three children. She explained that anyone who supports her business is truly supporting her family and helping to meet the needs of her children. She was bore and raised in Westfield and decided to raise her three daughters in town.

“Successful small businesses have a tendency to get where they are by being one-of-a-kind, Fahrenbach added. “This character adds to the atmosphere of the town, and encourages people to keep coming back. “ 

Fahrenbach plans to set up a table at next year’s SpringFling and FestiFall. You can find Tea and Brie on Facebook and read more on the business website.