1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I am originally from the Netherlands, but I have been living in Copenhagen (Denmark) for the past 4 years. I moved to another country for my job, I am a scientist and just obtained a PhD in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Copenhagen. Next year I am hoping to move to Australia (Perth) for a few years, also for work. I am lucky to have a great boyfriend who is happy to move with me!
2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
Actually, I only started sewing about a year ago, so I really am a beginner. I just had the feeling that something was missing in my life, something I really had a passion for. I just wanted to break out of the pattern of sitting in front of the television or internet every evening, I wanted something new. So, out of the blue, I decided to buy a sewing machine. I looked around for websites that could help me develop my sewing skills (as I had none!) and I ended up on the BurdaStyle website. I can now definitely say that sewing has become a passion.
3. What role does sewing play in your life?
I love it! It was really nice to discover that deep down there is a creative person inside of me, which I never knew existed. Unfortunately I am too busy with my job to sew a lot, but there are periods where I sew multiple evenings a week. Here, in Denmark a lot of people my age are sewing and I’ve also started a sewing club with two of my colleagues, which is fun. In the future I would like to take some sewing classes, because there is only so much I can learn from the internet and books, I think. For example, I am still clueless about which size and type needle & thread to use when, how to work with different fabrics and how to adjust patterns to my body shape.
4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
My favorite thing is thinking of a project beforehand and figuring out how everything has to be put together, and in which order, and then actually surprising myself by how nice it has turned out. As I am still a beginner, sewing is really a trial-and-error thing for me. I am new to putting in zippers, making button holes and sometimes even sewing in straight lines is difficult. It is really nice to see that I am making progress and that gradually my creations are turning out nicer and nicer.
Another great thing about sewing is that I can actually make clothes that fit. I am a really tall girl (1m88 or 6’2’’), which makes it difficult to find nice fitting clothes in the shops, the waist lines are always to high and trousers and skirts always too short. Even though I have not dared to sew trousers yet, making my own clothes definitely has been a positive experience so far!
My least favorite thing about sewing is finding out that I did something wrong and having to take everything apart again. I am just too impatient sometimes. But I guess, that is all part of the learning process.
5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
This will probably sound extremely geeky, but I would like to sew my own beekeeper-suit. I am a scientist working with honeybees, so need to wear a protective suit from time to time. But these suits seem to be made for men with short stumpy legs and chubby waists, so they are never really comfortable. So I would like to make my own suit, sting-proof and long enough to accommodate my long legs so the bees won’t be able to target my ankles. And if possible with a built-in fan for the hot Australian summers, haha…
6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
I really started from scratch and I have basically learnt most of my acquired skills off of the BurdaStyle website. What I like about the site is that is makes sewing hip and fresh, something I am missing with most of the sewing magazines. It shows that sewing is fun! The how to’s and tutorials have been especially helpful for me and I regularly browse through those for tips and tricks.
Of course, there are still things that need to be improved about the site, there are a lot of bugs that need to be fixed, but I am confident that these problems will be solved soon.
7. What is your motto?
‘I’ll ride the wave wherever it takes me’. It’s a lyric by Pearl Jam, it has been my boyfriend’s motto and I have adopted it as well. Try to live life to the fullest, as you will only get one shot at living. We are really happy traveling around the world and living in different places, there is so much to see and do! Don’t be afraid of making changes in your life, just go with your feeling!
Susanne20_11 has amazing projects, including her immensely popular and beautiful Black Clutch bag. Also make sure to check out her top ten favorite creations on BurdaStyle
Oct 28, 2009, 05.49 PMby stephiaffi
You have to promise to show off your bee-keeper’s suit if you ever make one!!! This would be so exciting to see!
Oct 28, 2009, 07.02 PMby styles
It’s been interesting reading your profile. You sound very enthusiastic about sewing and I’m sure you will still make some great stuff. (I am also originally from Amsterdam.)
Oct 28, 2009, 10.37 PMby Susanne20_11
Thanks for the nice comments! Yes, I’ll defenitely post the beekeeper suit if I manage to make it. It seems quite complicated with choosing the right material; light weight so it’s cool, but not too thin otherwise the bees can sting through. It also needs to be white (bees can get aggressive if you wear black..). On the plus side, I can custom sew all sorts of handy pockets on there for all the tools. Hahaha, geesh I sound like a nerd. Anyhoo, thanks again!
Oct 28, 2009, 11.02 PMby Bec33
I really enjoyed reading your profile because like you, I am a science major, but need to get back to school. I’m just afraid I won’t be able to travel if I do. I really don’t want to be tied down by a job in a large city and I know that my boyfriend whom I hope to travel with, feels the same way. I also started sewing about a year ago and learn something new everytime I turn on my machine. Sewing has been a great way to express my ceativity and to make something that is actually useful. Anyways thanks for the encuragement! I hope you get to go to Autralia!
Oct 29, 2009, 01.17 AMby mamartinek
Susanne—You are LIVING YOUR LIFE!!!! Whenever I hear about a person who is enjoying their life, I feel really happy for them. So…from my 30+ year existence, make the bee suit now. Life changes so much as we travel through it…..I learned to sew when I was 10, but make a Yves St Laurent three piece suit from a Vogue pattern when I was sixteen. Now….I wouldn’t be interested. You don’t have to be an expert to make a beekeeper’s suit—take one home and make a pattern on thick paper. Then you can take your measurements and change the pattern to fit you. You don’t even have to take the suit apart. Being a scientist will give you a head start, since it is usually more structured than other professions. If you want a perfect one, make the adjustments to your ‘homemade’ pattern and then cut it out of cheap muslin and sew it to see where the changes have to be made. You won’t have to put all the zippers etc in the mock-up, you can just ‘fake it’. It is frustrating when something doesn’t turn out the way you expected it…but at least you take it apart and try again. When I was your age I used to throw it away;-) Sewing is similar, I believe, to a lot of science; as you design and construct your project you are always learning. The one rule I always pass on to people I teach sewing to is: "Never let anyone tell you you can’t do “that’.” Yes you can;-) Clothing out of uphostery or curtain fabric that you have washed all the chemicals out of, etc. Enjoy, I sounds like you have a wonderful life ahead of you.
Oct 29, 2009, 01.10 PMby applesnoranges
I can totally relate to you, as a beginner. Enjoyed reading your profile, and viewing your creations!
Oct 29, 2009, 08.33 PMby Tallykay
Hey, keep up the sewing.
You look very nice in your picture.
Oct 31, 2009, 08.45 AMby Susanne20_11
Hi guys, thanks so much for the sweet comments, that really means a lot to me!
Nov 4, 2009, 07.33 PMby pemvandepar
I am so proud of you!!!! love you :-)
Nov 12, 2009, 12.17 PMby sarahwau
I think you’ve definitely graduated to intermediate level, looking at your projects. I especially love the Anda dress with the brown binding. You’ll have a great time living in Perth. I live in Perth myself and studied Environmental Science at Murdoch University. It’s a small university size wise but it has a good reputation especially for Environmental Science and Biology. Western Australia’s a great state and being so big there is so much diversity as far as the natural environment goes. I think there is even a Burdastyle Sewing Group that meets once a month too so hopefully you can keep up your sewing passion too and pick up some tips.
By the way the beekeeper suit sounds like an amazing project. Would you be able to buy a ready made suit and adapt it to suit you? It would be great to give it a bit of a personal touch too, just for fun.
Enjoy Perth. Sarah :-)