1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I am from the very north of Scotland, any further and you are swimming to Norway. I now live in Wellington, New Zealand, which is a fantastically stylish and fun city.
2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
I am quite new to the sewing world as I sewed my first skirt just two and half years ago. I started because I came to New Zealand with a ruck sack and not much money! I was getting fed up of looking at garments that cost so much but were so poorly made, I thought I could do better than that. So enrolled in a sewing night class. The ethics of cheap store bought clothes and the environmental damage it creates put me on the ‘sewing my own’ road too.
3. What role does sewing play in your life?
In a few months it will be how I earn my living. I enjoyed making clothes so much I decided that I wanted away from my desk bound job and into something more hands on. I am now in the the final year of a Costume Construction course, were I am learning to make costumes for stage and screen. It also provides me with an avenue to wear beautiful fabrics in styles that I would not be able to afford if they were store bought.
4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
My favorite thing about sewing is the zen of hand sewing. When I first started sewing I just wanted to machine everything, hand sewing was slow and boring. I now love to sit in a quite place or with a group of like minded ladies and hand sew. Plus it gives garments a professional finish. My least favorite is unpicking! Just when the project is going well… darn it I just sewed the wrong sleeve to the wrong armhole…. get out the unpick, argghhhhhhhh!
5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
It would be my boyfriend Douglas. He loves hoodies and surfing and that’s perfectly fine… BUT I would love to make him a really sharp suit with hat and we could go out on the town and cut a dash on the dance floor old school style.
6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
The site already has what I am looking for the community. I want to show people what I make and know that they will appreciate the time, love and skill that goes into these items no matter how small and the community of BurdaStyle provides that. I love to see others members’ creations and find it inspiring to see how many talented people are out there in the world.
I think that the new site is a wonderful improvement and so can not think of anything right now that I would want further improvement on. I really like the new categories for season as I live in the Southern hemisphere, so when it winter with BurdaStyle its summer with me.
7. What is your motto?
I don’t really have one, but I do love these two quotes by creative and intelligent people.
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it”
Pablo Picasso
“If you go by all the rules, you miss all the fun”
Katherine Hepburn
Check out MinnieTheMinks’ creations as well as her favorites! You can also follow her experience with making costumes, her secondhand buys and home sewn clothes on her blog
Sep 13, 2009, 09.42 AMby minnietheminks
Hey :) Thanks for all your posts. I have been late in replying as I am gearing up for our costume showcase this Thursday, its like a live portfolio with all our costumes on models… a wee bit nervous.
I will reply in person very soon. xx
Sep 9, 2009, 11.50 PMby littlepinkkiwi
Wow, I’m so impressed you have only been sewing for two years! You do beautiful work. I am in Wellington too, well Plimmerton actually so quite close. I’m definitely coming to your show next week and dragging my daughter along. I had no idea that Toi Whakaari had a costume design course.
Sep 9, 2009, 04.00 PMby florean-fortescue
Your work is most lovely, despite living in Australia I’ve never actually been to New Zealand…I mean to eventually
Sep 9, 2009, 12.35 PMby africancotton
I just love love love the feminine clothes you have in your pics. Did you create your patterns? I am from durban in South Africa and have been sewing for 50 years eeek !
Sep 9, 2009, 11.57 AMby pinkyshears
Hi! from home, northeast Scotland. so nice to see your work!
Sep 8, 2009, 10.50 PMby gillthecat
god weird im from aberdeen now living in perth wa,, ive got my babies clothes on the site,,
Sep 8, 2009, 08.41 PMby fabricdragon
I’ve done almost the opposite trip. I was born in Australia and I’ve moved to the NE of Scotland. And I totally agree with favourite and least favourite.
I’m rather envious of the Costume Construction course – doubt I can find anything like that locally. I’ve always loved the idea of creating costumes for theatre and film.
Sep 5, 2009, 07.57 PMby luvalot311
Nice! I am Scottish and only dream of visiting that beautiful land!
Sep 4, 2009, 02.35 PMby pvmdesign
I’m from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, so i speak spanish!!!
Sep 3, 2009, 04.23 PMby pvmdesign
I started with the sewing a few year ago because i always sended my embroideris with someone for sewing in pillows and towels, things easy to do but i did not have how to do thats, was when I thought why not learn to sew?. The next day arrive home a flyer from a teacher who taught sewing, i call and I started with the classes, in love with sewing day to day and so continuous.
I save money making my own clothes, even I help my sister with uniforms and clothes for my nieces. I have done at home curtains, covers, pilows, beds for dogs and an endless array of things, I even won some money selling dresses, blouses and concocting towels, bibs and other simple things.
The only problem is that now I have more orders than time to me things my way I’d like, but they do not complain of having some extra money in my pocket until I thought about taking my own line of clothes for a boutique friend.
I hope you understand and giving me that English is not my native language and in fact speak little.
2 Replies
Sep 3, 2009, 09.01 PMby flowergirl22
well I could not tell,,,, where are you from???
I make jackets, for me and the dogs,,, cushions at the moment,, bags for friends,
english is not my first language either.
Sep 3, 2009, 09.01 PMby flowergirl22
well I could not tell,,,, where are you from???
I make jackets, for me and the dogs,,, cushions at the moment,, bags for friends,
english is not my first language either.
Sep 3, 2009, 08.56 AMby flowergirl22
I have to say, for anyone who can turn a hobby not a job with money is fantastic,, I love to create and design my own clothe,, picking fabrics is the best part, adding all the little bits and choosing buttons, lining, length and threads, is the most exciting part,, apart from wearing the final product.
at the moment I have a fascination with jackets,, the styles you find in local high street stores, are not for me,, and definitely not for the larger lady,, me going in at a size 44,, or 22,, for all UK readers. I want to show off my curves,, I am very proud of my bust, and have no qualms about showing off how feminine even one at this size can look,,,
so come on girls let’s see all these curvy ladies and show of your creations,,,