Jennie Tylee-Porter is a dental hygienist by day, and a dreamer and knitter by night. Living in Dubbo, she’s found the perfect balance of business, creativity and life on the land.
On any given weekday in Dubbo, Jennie Tylee-Porter runs a busy dental practice. But when the day winds down, she’s had time with her son, and the house grows quiet, another rhythm begins. The steady hum of vintage knitting machines replaces the whirr of dental drills, and merino wool – soft, natural and beautifully tactile – is transformed into baby blankets and beanies.
Dapper Dreamwear didn’t come from a grand business plan, but instead grew from something far simpler: the need to balance a structured professional life with creativity.
“I love my work in healthcare,” she explains, “but I’ve always needed a creative outlet.”
The slow, hands-on process of machine knitting in the traditional way became that outlet, as it offered creativity alongside a sense of calm, with her perfectionism shining through in the final products.
Jennie’s love of natural fibres soon became central to the vision, and she decided to work with Australian merino wool as the fibre is known for its softness, breathability and ability to regulate temperature naturally. It’s gentle on babies’ skin, practical for families, and undeniably luxurious. From that foundation, Dapper Dreamwear evolved into a collection of heirloom-quality blankets and beanies designed to be gifted, treasured and passed down.
The name itself carries a deeply personal thread. Dapper Dreamwear is inspired by her son, whose middle name is Dapper.
Slow craft in a fast world
Before unveiling the first collection, Jennie sampled yarns, tested quality and refined her designs until they met her high standards. Already running a dental practice meant she approached the business side with confidence and structure, but creatively, she allowed herself time to experiment.
Jennie’s workspace reflects that balance – it’s a calm, home-based studio centred around the vintage knitting machines. Each piece is slow-crafted, with care given to every stitch. “It’s quiet, hands-on, and slow in the best way,” she says.
That sense of intentional slowness sets Dapper Dreamwear apart. In a world of fast fashion and mass production, the gorgeous blankets and beanies are created one at a time, and the use of Australian merino wool puts them on another level. Unlike coarser wools, merino is fine and non-itchy, breathable yet warm, making it ideal for newborns.
Threads of tradition
Although Jennie doesn’t have a formal background in fashion, knitting runs in the family. Her mother and grandmother were both skilled knitters, and from them she inherited not just technique, but an appreciation for good yarn and natural fibres.
Launching her first full collection was significant, but what truly moves her is when families return for their fifth or sixth order. “Knowing my blankets are becoming part of family keepsakes makes all the work worthwhile,” she says.
The idea that something made in Dubbo might one day be tucked around a newborn, packed for holidays, or folded carefully into a memory box is what drives her.
A community wrapped around her
Dubbo itself plays an important role in the story. Jennie describes the town as a small but creative community, and somewhere where it’s easy to connect with like-minded people. Her local yarn shop, for instance, isn’t just a supplier, but a source of inspiration and friendship.
The support from the community has been heartfelt and occasionally surprising. One patient even gifted Jennie the fleece from their newly shorn alpaca to transform into a garment. “That was incredibly special,” she says.
Jennie loves seeing local orders pop up on her website, knowing she can hand-deliver them personally. That face-to-face exchange reinforces what Dapper Dreamwear is truly about: connection. For her, buying Australian-made is about more than quality, although Australian merino is widely regarded as some of the finest in the world. It’s about supporting families, communities and small businesses.
“When people shop locally, they’re supporting a story,” she explains. “That care goes into every blanket and beanie.”
Grounded in the everyday
Life, like Jennie’s brand, is built around simple rituals. A strong cup of tea in the morning. time in the garden with her chickens, evening cuddles and stories with her son, and then knitting to unwind. These day-to-day activities keep Jennie balanced between two very different worlds, as a healthcare professional by day and a knitter and designer by night.
Running a business has taught Jennie that passion alone isn’t enough. “Planning, patience and perseverance are equally important, and machine knitting comes with a steep learning curve,” she says. But like any craft, mastery comes through persistence.
Jennie’s advice to others thinking of starting something creative is refreshingly straightforward: “Do what you love, surround yourself with positive people, and don’t wait for perfect timing, as it rarely arrives.”
In Dubbo, as daylight fades and vintage machines begin their gentle rhythm, Dapper Dreamwear continues to grow, one carefully crafted stitch at a time.
You’ll find the Dapper Dreamwear range at the home of luxurious Australian and New Zealand merino baby gifts, www.merinomana.com.au. All new customers will receive 10% off when they mention TrulyAus.
To read our interview with Aussie sculptor Dale Miles, click here.
Rex flies to Dubbo. Book your flights here and check out the route map below.
