Even as a teenager I used to sew my own clothes. I remember that I got my first sewing machine from the older sister of my grandma and she was also the one who gave me my first sewing lesson. With her help I sewed my first pair of pants, which were made of black velvet (90s style).

These pants were my absolute favorite pair, because they fit so perfectly but I think it wasn't everyone's taste ;-). Anyway…I didn't care and I sewed a couple more in different colors and I wore them everyday. From that time on I wanted to wear more self-made clothings, that’s why I decided to learn that profession and I went to study the high art of tailoring. Because there is nothing better to have your own customized and personalized clothes.

Today it’s still the same, only that I have less time. But from time to time I sew for myself a custom-made garment and again I have noticed how much fun I always have and how comfortable I feel when I wear that piece. Because the garment is exactly as I wanted and imagined it.

As I don’t have a “standard body shape” and I have often some issues with ready-to-wear garments. The waist might fit on a dress, but the bust is totally off or around the hip it’s too tide and the upper part fits perfectly, I rather construct items that fit perfectly for my body shape. Besides Instead of being in overcrowded shopping center, I prefer to change my old patterns or create my own designs and being comfy at home.

Most of the time I already had an idea of what kind of dress, top, skirt, pants I was looking for. Often I was not successful with my search in the shopping malls or online-shops and I was almost always disappointed. But with the endless selection of fabrics, patterns, braids and ornaments there are no limits. Do you want a dress with unicorn print or a golden skirt with sequins? You can make it! You are able to create any amazing wardrobe with your own style.

Like the dress I wore on the pics, which I sewed during the Corona lockdown. When the shops reopened I wasn’t comfortable to visit the big shopping malls so I tried to skip them but I went straight to my fav fabric store because I needed something to do. I found that fabric and I immediately fell in love with this color and structure. It’s made of ramie woven fabric. The ramie fiber is extracted from the stem of the ramie plant, which is related to the nettle plant. The production is similar to linen, but ramie does not have to be bleached because the raw fiber is already snow white. Ramie has an extremely high quality and durable. It’s fantastically soft, not stretchy and comparable with very soft linen. That’s why I have decided to use it to create a light summer dress.

This brings me to the aspect of sustainability that comes with self-made clothings. We care about where our food comes from, so why not the clothing we wear? I do want to know more about the origins of my wardrobe. What is the fiber content? Were the textiles manufactured in an environmentally responsible way? Who made my clothes and what kind of work environment does this person have? Sewing for myself means that I am becoming part of the process, and sometimes taking charge of at least one aspect , which is labor. 

Sewing is such a practical skill to have it as my talents. There is still so much to know, I could study and learn sewing techniques until the end of time and I still would probably only have a fraction of the knowledge floating around.

During the way back home from the fabric store I started to think about what I would like to sew from this beauty of fabric. I decided quickly to create a tunic kinda oversized beach dress.

I changed the pattern of a tunic beach dress I already downloaded a year ago and during the sewing process came out this unique dress. Actually in the beginning I wanted to keep the dress more loose and oversized, but in the end it looked a bit too wide and boxy, so I created a belt and with it I could shape my body into my fav hourglass silhouette, which looks much more suitable.

I’m so happy with that dress, that If I would have more time, I would make more clothes for myself. I have still two nice cotton viscose fabrics waiting to create my fav clothes.

Luckily I have more time now and I hope I will be able to sew a pair of shorts and a top for the late summer. Normally at night I plopped on the couch watching Netflix or the primetime lineup, but know I can do both watching TV and sewing at the same time. Being able to multitask and watch a movie or TV show, or listen to music podcast makes my life more efficient.

I also find out that sewing helps me to relax and unwind, and I’m less stressed out while engaged in my latest project.

But the most importantly, I LOVE to sew!!! It’s given me purpose, passion, and unleashed my creativity. If you haven’t tried it yet, you are missing out! It is seriously something I look forward to every day and can’t wait to get to my sewing machine.

By the way, I’m so in love with that pics. I think that these photos reflect how good, comfy and ease I feel in that dress and surrounding. It doesn't always have to be beach and seaside, also a wonderful romantic meadow at the edge of the woods gives me the feeling of freedom. You see, you don't need much, just important that you feel comfortable.

If you also like to start to sew and make your own clothes. But you don’t know where and how to start?

Just ask me, I’m here to help!

Feel free to check out my website, where you can already discover some sewing tutorials and DIY’s.

Have fun,

Katy!

Pics by Daniell Bohnhof

Dress by Look2 Ocean