DIARY OF A NOVICE SEWIST: Introducing Sophie Frank
Before I tell you what this ‘Diary Of A Novice Sewist’ is going to be about, I would like to take a minute to introduce myself.
My name is Sophie and I live in Vienna together with my partner and our son. It just so happens that it is not very common or considered modern to sew one’s clothes or to sew at all in Austria, so my mother has been my lifelong No 1 influence. I can’t think of a time she wasn’t sewing or knitting. Twinning outfits with my doll? YES! Sweaters my brother wore that now belong to my son? YES! Self-knitted socks for every child including their partners? DOUBLE YES!
When the first lockdown hit last year (and it hit hard), I was at home with my one month old baby boy – slowly but surely going nuts. So I dug out my old sewing machine and started sewing my first little Bonnet, closely followed by a Romper, then another Bonnet and another Romper (and yes, sometimes I tend to overdo things). But then… my sewing machine went kaput and nothing happened for a long time – until my partner and my mother gifted me a new one for Christmas (which ended up sitting in its packaging for another month because I was too afraid to use it out of fear of breaking it).
Once I rolled with my courage, everything started to happen really quickly. After a few Rectangle Dresses, I stared my Instagram account @bitte.mach.das where I show my me-mades shot on analog film. But enough about me.
This series will be a reminder for some, an invitation for others to know that you don’t have to have any special skills to be able to make your own clothes (and as someone who loves to wear unique clothes that nobody else has – how cool is that?!). All you need is a sewing machine, a bit of fabric and the courage to allow yourself to make mistakes. And because I know how hard it can be to find the right sewing pattern or to research techniques (all I need to say is ‚zippers‘), I want to give you a few tips and tricks.
I can vividly remember circling around a pattern for pants for weeks (!! and I am not exaggerating) before I pushed myself to buy it. And trust me, you don’t want to know how long it took for me to actually make the pants in the end. I’ll say this much though – once I made the first pair, I made 4 more pairs in 3 weeks.
Sometimes you just have to try things and sew. The worst that can happen, is that you have to undo a few stitches. Usually though, you will realize that all the fuss is for nothing and that – I hate to say it – ironing is going to be the answer to most of your questions. Want straight edges? Iron. Want to make your own bias tape? Iron. Are the layers of fabric too thick for your machine? Iron. Want to sew in an invisible zipper? IRON.
I want to show you how to make different pieces of clothing that can form a whole outfit together.
I can’t wait to start!
Bussi,
Sophie
About Author
Sophie Frank
Sophie is a self-taught sewist living in Vienna, Austria. If she's not sewing or taking analog photos, she's probably running after her son. Instagram: @bitte.mach.dasLeave a comment
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14 Comments
Debbie Fister
I haven’t sewn in years after making most of my clothes in high school, college, and all my maternity clothes. I sewed for my boys until they refused to wear them. Then I stopped. Maybe I will start up again. As a weaver, I would like to sew using handwoven fabric. I love your son’s red hair and the curls. He could be my grandson!
Sophie Frank
Ohhhh I would love to see something made out of your handwoven fabric!
And I really hope I have some more time until my son refuse to wear his mamamade clothes…wish me luck! 🙂
Lisa Schiffleger
This was me decades ago. As a teenager not wanting to wear what other girls were wearing I would make my own clothing. My mother made a lot of my clothes growing up. For my 8th grade graduation I gave her very specific wants and do not wants for a dress. She listened then said, “well then, do it yourself”. So I did. That inspiration, that challenge was the best sewing lesson I have ever had. I have since sewn for my home, family, children, others and now sewing/quilting is my “simple dream … that pays for itself”, since I make quilts for a living. I have become addicted to linen and have been getting back into sewing simple linen tunic tops, linen aprons, linen kitchen towels (that I have been making and gifting). Sewing as been very therapeutic for me and others during this pandemic. I have encouraged anyone that has expressed anxiety and boredom while being home more this past year and a half, find something that will keep your mind and hands busy. Sewing does that. Plus you will have a growing “bespoke” wardrobe that you will be proud to wear like Sophie.
Sophie Frank
thank you for your lovely words and your story! And a big YES for therapeutic sewing – same here! As I was a ballet dancer for 14 years I have some troubles with my knees and hips and I can’t go for a run – so sewing and knitting is just perfect for me. a win win situation. 😉
Fiona Tavernier
This is wonderful article. We always read about sewists and designers who have been sewing forever but this is a fresh take! I have only been really sewing clothes for about 5 years since I went back to school to study Apparel Arts. I always felt like such a terrible sewist as compared to my peers until I realized that practice was the only thing holding me back from improving. And the only way to practice and learn is to make mistakes! Now I don’t worry so much about getting it wrong because I assume I will do so some of the time and that will bring me even more knowledge and experience.
Sophie Frank
Thank you for your kind words! YES YES YES! it’s so important to make mistakes – sometimes the best things happen out of mistakes – not to mention the learning process. So thank you again and I hope to read from you again!
Madeleine Van Zyl
I really love this. Sophie seems very down-to-earth and genuine. And I’ll definitely be looking forward to a future instalment. I’m trying to design a pair of women’s boxer shorts and needed the encouragement to push myself and make mistakes. That’s the creative process anyway, isn’t it!? Madeleine
Sophie Frank
Oh thank you so much! I hope I won’t disappoint…and for the boxers – not sure if they are what you are looking for, but maybe checkout the Pipit Loungewear Set from Common Stitch, I made a few of the pants for summer and they are so easy and fast, I’m sure you would have fun wearing them 🙂
Lynn Sullivan
At the school I attend, we do an art project each year. I will be graduating in June and plan to make my outfit to wear for graduation. In addition to sewing, I’m also taking a bead embroidery class to embellish the clothes.
Sophie Frank
AHHHHHH that sounds so cool!!! I did a lot of embroidery a few years ago (I even did some embroidered videos) and I looooooove it!! do you have something in mind for your outfit already?
Sharon Dicrosta
Super fun article. Will the “Diary” be future installments or a book? Looking forward to it and thanks for the encouragement! Sharon
Sophie Frank
Hi Sharon! The diary will only be here. but who knows what the future brings…:)
and you are very welcome, I’m happy you enjoyed my article
Gale Roanoake
I am also a new sewist who worked up my courage to begin sewing my own clothes during this pandemic. What inspired me was my love for linen and all the beautiful clothing I saw in the fabric store blog. I can’t wait to hear about your journey and to see the clothes you’ve made! This first glimpse in your introduction is beautiful work!
Sophie Frank
thank you so much – and welcome to the club! 🙂