Burda Style For people who sew

1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I grew up and studied in Germany and after graduating from university lived in London for 2 1/2 years. My husband moved to Brooklyn for work in April, and I finally moved to Brooklyn three weeks ago after finishing my project at my job in London.

2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
My mother used to sew a lot when I was little so I was always used to hearing the sewing machine and picked up the basics just by watching. One of the first things I really made that I can remember was probably a jacket

when I was 13 or 14, I remember my mom having to finish the last bits because I was so annoyed with it (sewing and me has always been a love-hate relationship). I wore it probably twice. All my friends gave me a sewing machine for my 18th birthday, and I have been sewing (sometimes more, sometimes less) ever since.

3. What role does sewing play in your life?
I discovered Burdastyle in 2007 after I had started working a full-time job and my love for sewing was re-ignited, it was just so nice to have a hobby and not have work be the only center of my life. I took an evening class called “Professional Sewing Techniques” at the London College of Fashion last year which taught all the different types of pockets, sleeves, zippers etc which I really enjoyed and which improved my sewing a lot.

I have not sewn much since April because my sewing machines were on their way to my new home already, but now that I have them back (and since I’m currently taking some time off) I’ve been sewing a lot (only easy garments for now as to keep me motivated!).

I’ve also been thinking a lot about what I wear, and about where my clothes come from. I am so tired of today’s cheap disposable fashion, and I often find myself looking at garments in shops, thinking “I could make this”. Most times I end up not making it, but that probably just means that I didn’t really want it in the first place. I think you value things much more if you know how much work went into them, and it shocks me that most garments today are so much cheaper than they should be. Someone must be paying the price for that, and it’s not us. I had been thinking about joining Wardrobe Refashion (http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/) for quite a while now and I have finally signed up for four months. So that means I’ll hopefully be sewing a lot more in the coming months.

4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
I don’t really like cutting out the fabric pieces, and I get annoyed (or bored) so quickly with finishing. I hate when I have to undo seams because I tried to save time earlier, or because I wasn’t really focusing.

My favourite thing is putting the pieces together and slowly seeing the garment come together. And of course wearing a new piece of clothing for the first time.

5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
Something for my mom. I made her a JJ blouse as a Christmas present last year but it was a little bit too small for her to be comfortable, so she doesn’t really wear it. It was a bit sad because it was the most nicely finished thing I ever made! I’d love to make her something that really fits next time.

6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
I mostly come for inspiration, sometimes patterns (I have not bought any yet, and the few I tried needed a lot of alterations for my body). I love to look at other members’ creations, it always gives me so many ideas of what I could do. When I see other members sew one nice garment after the next I think: if they can do it while having a full time job, why can’t I? It always motivates me to get going and start a new project. The How-tos are great too. And I like commenting on other members’ creations and receiving comments, there are so many things to be learned from others. It’s a great community, and I have made several friends (both on- and offline).

7. What is your motto?
I’m not really a motto person. Oh wait, I think I do have a motto for sewing:
Always press the seams! It’s really worth the effort!

For more about Chri_stine check out her blog and flickr also make sure you check out her top ten favorite creations