Burda Style For people who sew

1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I am from Scranton, Pennsylvania, but I have been living in New York State for eight years and NYC for almost four years. Brooklyn to be exact.

2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
Oh gee, I have no idea. I was (and am) really into drawing and architecture as a child, as well as furniture, so I think one of my first projects was reupholstering a vintage armchair with denim. This combined a little bit of architecture with sewing and served as a catalyst for other sewing endeavors including a purple halter top which I somehow got to fit me perfectly without using a pattern.

3. What role does sewing play in your life?
Sewing has taken over my life! I really really enjoy transferring ideas or two-dimensional drawings into something wearable. I love that with practice and education anything is possible. Understanding how pieces fit together and how seams create a look have also affected other areas of my design and art. I sew 4-10 hours a day and I am fine with that, although an intern or two would be swell.

4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
As for my favorite thing about sewing, I really love that you can zone out and sort of become transfixed on a project while simultaneously thinking of other things or places. I shouldn’t admit this, but it’s almost like driving long distances. You’re there and in the experience, yet there’s room for traveling outside of the tasks you are performing, allowing your mind to wander.

As for my least favorite thing…It’s physically impossible to get everything I want to get done as fast as I would like. I also can’t stand the sporadic and inexcusable hiccups sewing machines have, such as needles breaking, thread not feeding, or machines just not cooperating (the stuff that slows us down!)

5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
HMMMMMM I would make a wild and crazy outfit for a psychedelic rock band like Carmen Maki or Siouxsie from Siouxsie & The Banshees. What? I often dive into projects with no plan and do things based on intuition. I would probably use a lot of color and layering for Carmen and a lot of texture and a play with negative and positive space for Siouxsie.
I also was telling a friend last night that I would love to dress Lady Gaga because she will wear anything seemingly. What a load of fun!

6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
I love BurdaStyle and am so happy to have been able to watch it’s progress and growth over the years. How-tos are sensational and have been really instrumental in my own personal sewing growth. I love the very global presence on BurdaStyle. We’re all included and featured. The internet has brought us a sewing community like no where else on little ole BurdaStyle.
I think there are some quirks in the new site’s programming. Sometimes I can’t put up new photos or have to retype everything because of a system error. Those will work themselves out eventually.

7. What is your motto?
Ad altiora natus.

There are many places to follow and learn more about independent designer, Desira_pesta and her incredible creations. To start off with, check out her top ten favorite creations and then make sure to check out her website and her blog, if you want to see more photos of her work, check out her lookbook and her flickr. Follow her on all the social media outlets myspace, facebook and twitter.