Burda Style For people who sew

1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I am originally from Germany near cologne but now live more south in Mannheim. I also spend three to six months of the year in Ohio, because my boyfriend is from there.

2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
The first thing I made was the apron from BurdaStyle ;-) a very nice and easy 1st-sewing project.
The first time I was in Ohio with my boyfriend I thought about starting to sew. So I bought a sewing-embroidery machine on Ebay. I always wanted to do this but I never had time for it. The years before I went to my work and in the morning I studied in the evenings, so no time for any hobbies.

3. What role does sewing play in your life?
Since I started sewing a few months ago, I figured out how creative the world is and what fun it can be. At first I only made clothes but now I like to sew some decorations too.
There’s so much to learn and I want to learn it all. If it’s pattern drafting, designing, the knowledge of fabrics & techniques everything is very exciting for me. Normally I didn’t have patience for something – sewing has changed me at this point.
I feel such more in balance since I started to sew and the time in one day is never enough.

4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
The result is my favorite thing of all it. The steps between are sometimes little and hard and in the moment it can be painful; you start to think that you will never finish this project like you planned. But at the end you forget all this anger (yes sometimes anger comes up) and you’re proud to reach your own little goal.
I haven’t gone to a sewing-school yet, only some great pattern instructions like yours, the www, TV and good Books helped me to ‘fight’ the patterns.

5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
I would sew something for the home or a nice a bag. To make clothes for somebody is a bit difficult, above all it should be a surprise present.

6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
BurdaStyle patterns were the first one’s which I didn’t have any problems with. And if I had a problem BurdaStyle has a very huge collection of helpers.
I like the community they are all very friendly. I like to see the members in process and that’s pushing me in my work.
BurdaStyle is easy to use- I like it!
Sometimes there are these ‘fake’ pattern ( only a picture without a pattern or an instruction) from the USER – I don’t like this

7. What is your motto?
Nothing is impossible to sew when you’re not afraid of your faults. Be accurate when you’re sewing. Don’t give up- give yourself time and try again later.

Follow Bathina’s creative thought process by checking out her blog! Also she and her girlfriend just opened a new website called Creativoo. The main idea of the site is it is a community for all kind of crafting hobbies that posts more videos instead of pictures. Check it out!

1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I grew up, studied and lived in Paris for most of my life. My husband is a south of France man and he didn’t want to live in Paris because “it’s too cold, too raining, too many people and too far of sea” (he has a great sense of exaggeration!). So, I moved to a little town in south of France famous for its fondness of food: Montelimar. The NOUGAT’s town (you know it’s candy made with honey, almond and sugar….).

2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
Because I’m crazy for clothes and fashion, I would to be able to make my own wardrobe. Many reasons of that:
- I love designer’s clothes but too often it’s very expensive;
- I want to have original outfits;
- I think it’s an ecological and social action.

So, last year, I asked for a sewing machine for my birthday and the first thing I made was a simple gray linen bag that I use when I travel. I was quite pleased with the result so I decided to make something hardier: a real outfit. I bought sewing books, discovered BurdaStyle, saw amazing creations of the other members, downloaded beautiful patterns, made a lot of horrible things, learned from my mistakes and now I have begun to sew some clothes that I’m not ashamed of!

3. What role does sewing play in your life?
When I was younger, I never had manual hobby. I was very frustrated because the creative part of me was completely ignored (I’m lawyer, it’s not a very creative and funky job…). So sewing allow me to develop the creative part of me (and have nice, original clothes too !! ) That’s why it’s become my favorite hobby. I’m always thinking of my future creations and dreaming of when I get to sew beautiful fabrics, pattern or creations of other members!
In conclusion, I can say that’s sewing makes me happy and fills me with pride.

4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
Lots of favorite things: choosing the perfect fabric, imagining the results, seeing pieces of fabrics becoming a real clothes, etc

Least favorite: marking the pattern on the fabric and cutting pieces of pattern (because I don’t have a big table so I have to make it on the floor and it’s not very comfy!)

5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
One of my best friends makes fun of me when I told him that I had begun to sew (he saw my first creations… hmmm). He bet that I’d never be able to make a men suit for him. So I hope, one day, I’ll be able to make him a great suit for him!!!!

6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
First all, I really, really, really love this site and the community!
I ‘m always looking for patterns, inspiration, support and advice and I’ve gotten them on BurdaStyle.

I love members who are very nice. Their support gives me the hunger to continue.

I love the creations of members, I’m very impressed by the talent of them. Some creations look very professional and stylish. It’s astonishing.
I m’ always amazed by the way of the same pattern can be interpreted by different members. One pattern becomes many different, original and singular creation.
It’s very inspiring.
I love the BurdaStyle team who select patterns and give them a modern and funky touch.

I love solidarity in this community because people share tips, how to, advice, pattern.

For me, this site is perfection… just one fault: it’s hard for me to understand pattern because it’s in English and I’ have bad English … but I’m okay because it’s my fault … I slept during English lessons and it’s the occasion to improve my English!!!!

7. What is your motto?
Not very original… CARPE DIEM

Even though she slept through English class, she appears to be doing a great job with the English instructions. She has been making incredible creations and mastering the art of sewing.

1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I am from the Philippines, living at its capital, Metro Manila.

2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
My first project was a black silk shantung basic-dress. I made the pattern from scratch as part of my first lesson in basic sewing & dressmaking school in one of the older dressmaking schools here in Manila called the Golden Hands Institute.

3. What role does sewing play in your life?
Sewing for me right now occupies about half my week. So far it doesn’t produce a lot of income for me, since I only sew mostly for friends and relatives (at cost) and only accept very few referrals. But lately I’ve been doing dressier full-on projects for attending weddings, graduations and other formal events. I’ve learned so much from my last few projects and I think I am now more capable of making a bigger range of apparel for myself and others.

4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
I think my favorite would have to be being able to dress myself and my clients, having only our imaginations as a limit. My last client wanted a hot-pink silk dress copied from: a hot pink dress worn by Chloe Sevigny and a black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The result was exactly what we talked about, and much to my client’s approval. That exact outfit would have been impossible for her to find locally, and at such a reasonable price.

My least favorite would have to be the amount of work involved BEFORE getting to the actual sewing part. The pattern making, cutting and tracing alone takes me several hours. Sometimes it takes more time than the assembly and sewing part itself. But aside from that I like the work involved especially when the result is something that doesn’t look store-bought, and is very well-made.

5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
My least favorite would have to be the amount of work involved BEFORE getting to the actual sewing part. The pattern making, cutting and tracing alone takes me several hours. Sometimes it takes more time than the assembly and sewing part itself. But aside from that I like the work involved especially when the result is something that doesn’t look store-bought, and is very well-made.

6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
I look for patterns, and inspirations for my future projects. I think it would be nice if more patterns were available from your site so there would be less need to buy patterns from other vendors.

7. What is your motto?
If you can’t find something reflective of your style, make it yourself. If you can’t make it yourself, learn how. If you’re not yet good enough, practice until every outfit you produce is picture perfect, fits like a glove, and wows everyone who sees it.

To see shiela_imbao’s creations click here! Her hot pink cocktail dress shouldn’t be missed

1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I am from the Silicon Valley in the Bay area of US. I had been living here for the past 9 years. I grew up in China and Singapore.

2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
The first thing I made was clothing for Barbies when I was 10. And then I moved onto sewing teddy bears and soft toys when I was 16. The first real clothing I made was the red skirt I posted here last year. When I was little, my dad (yes, my DAD is awesome! :D ) used to sew up beautiful clothing for my mom and me, so I guess I got a little sewing tendency from him. I always wanted to sew real clothing, so after I graduated from school last year, I started sewing real clothing.

3. What role does sewing play in your life?
I love making things, and I have gone through phases such as soft to making, paper craft, jewelries, etc. I just can’t seem to relax! I am also very small, so its hard to find clothing that fits me. So sewing is a practical hobby that is fun, and it helps me relax after work.

4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
I love shopping for fabrics, sewing them up, making cute details, and wearing them! If I have to pick something I don’t like, maybe it is the cutting of patterns and fabrics. I wish I had a cutting monkey!

5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
Once I get good enough, I would attempt to make stuff for my family and friends :) It would be really cool to make a fun family “uniform” that is not tacky ;)

6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
I was first attracted to BurdaStyle by the freebies. And slowly, I got addicted to the user creations — its so inspiring to see everyone’s creations! I work in engineering, so I don’t personally know anyone who sews (except for one of my friend, whom I’m coaxing into sewing), so this place is somewhere my sewing-personality can feel at home. This site is awesome, I love everything about it — creation uploading, how to interface, free/cheap pattern downloading… you name it! But the most important part of BurdaStyle is the encouraging users and the warm community.
As for improvements, maybe it can have a way to list users by location, so that I can look for people who sew near me and ask them things like, where I can find a good local fabric store! Also, it would be nice to have some sort of notification when someone leaves a message on your creation or wall. And fixing small bugs here and there!

7. What is your motto?
Have fun! That is the most important part of sewing!

Juebejue’s incredible creations have such beautiful lines; She makes elegance look so effortless!

1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I’m from a very small country called the bridge of the world and heart of the universe: Panama. (Not Panama City, Florida haha). I was born and lived here my whole life, although people usually think I’m from some part of Asia!

2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
It’s kind of a funny story. I used to watch my mom using the sewing machine a couple of times to repair or alter some clothing, but I NEVER paid attention to it. Some time later, my sister who is 5 years younger than me, told my mom that she wanted to learn to sew and asked me to join her in the classes because she didn’t want to do it alone. My mom asked a friend who is a dressmaker to give us some classes and she agreed. So within the first classes I began to fall in love with sewing. Unfortunately we had stop classes because of school and college. The funny part: my sister now doesn’t like sewing! My very first project was to do a simple black pencil skirt with my own pattern. I enjoyed doing it so much just like every piece I do now.

3. What role does sewing play in your life?
Believe it or not, it relaxes me. My career sometimes can be very stressful, so I try to take some time to sew. I like to create and make things with my hands so I do have other hobbies that I love; like doing mosaics and stained glass, though sewing is a very useful and fulfilling hobby. I’m trying to always have a new project to do and dedicate some time of the week for it. I think there are two things that keep me sewing: my love for fashion and BurdaStyle. Since I discovered this site, I’ve improved a lot.

4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
My favorite part of sewing: planning the project, choosing the fabric, assemble the pieces, see the whole project taking shape and of course wearing it or see it being worn or used. My least favorite part: cutting the fabric, TRANSFER the pattern’s marks and iron, but anyway those things have to be done!

5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
Definitely, a gorgeous prom dress for my sister, yes the one I mention before; she is graduating this year from high school and I will love to make it for her; also a shirt for my boyfriend (well, that could be my next project!) and for me, I will love to do a flowery vintage dress.

6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
Inspiration, ideas, and new things to learn. Everyday I have the habit to check my emails, my Facebook profile, some blogs and BurdaStyle. What I love? The constantly new things you upload to the site, and the community. Everybody here is so supportive, encouraging each other and sharing their ideas, opinions and doubts, that’s what I really like. Improves? Pretty much nothing, but I would really like to receive a notification or something when somebody writes a comment or opinion about my creation.

7. What is your motto?
Maybe. “Be grateful”. Usually we are so “busy” and we forget to pay attention to those little things that make us happy, those things that we have to be grateful for: be able to watch a sunset, good health, the people that care about you, being with your family or be able to eat three times a day (or even more!!). Many of us are very fortunate and we need to live being grateful for those things, not regretting all the time for those things we don’t have and certainly, we usually don’t need. Yeah yeah, I know that I might sound corny but it’s so true.

To see Karencilla awesome creations click here Make sure you see her incredible skirts and bags! Her fun, pink JJ shirt is something not to be missed. She also has pictures of some incredible beaches on her profile, these will warm you up on the coldest rainiest day.