LOVE IN EVERY STITCH - The family collection

The idea of ​​doing a photoshoot with Monika from @naehideeminimo and her family came about spontaneously during our meeting at the trade fair in Cologne. She sewed so many things from our patterns, not just for herself, but for her whole family!

We hadn't anticipated that we would see each other again so soon. When Monika told us that she was coming to Berlin with her entire family of seven, we could hardly believe it.

But she did indeed visit us – with her whole family and lots of her favorite handmade items.

But now let's get to our interview:

When and why did you start sewing?

I started sewing when I was about 14 years old. The reason was quite simple: I secretly took in the pants my mom had sewn for me. The result was so-so :) My mom's enthusiasm: also so-so.

Somehow, this first sewing experience probably sparked my passion for sewing – the desire to make clothes exactly the way I wanted them. So I ventured into real sewing projects, initially with the support of my mother, who taught me the basics.
As a teenager, I used to sew my sometimes wildly imaginative designs from leftover fabric coupons from Augsburg fabric manufacturers. Even back then, I loved wearing dresses and skirts, preferably long and showing my midriff.

How did you find out about Schnittmuster_Berlin and which was our first pattern?

That was at least 12-13 years ago. I was looking for a sewing pattern for a "one-piece overall" for my two older children and that's how I came across Schnittmuster Berlin.
I actually found more sewing patterns that I liked. Our first patterns from Schnittmuster Berlin were:
One Piecenepiece Overall Ike, Dress Nora, Blouse Milla.

Which pattern from Schnittmuster Berlin has become your favorite over time?

I don't really have a favorite haircut, and I have a lot of them.
My family and I definitely have the following in our top ten at the moment:

Trousers Anke, Dress Nora, Dress Jill, Trousers Viola, Skirt Chicago, Jacket Atlanta, Dress Martha, Shirt Benedikt, Trousers Dean, Trousers Friedrich and many, many more.

How did a hobby become a business?

It started with more and more people asking me if I could sew something for them. Back then, I sewed lots of personalized pouches and Emil bottle covers, and of course, "special" clothes for our four children at the time. I especially enjoyed sewing matching outfits for siblings and often matching outfits for the dolls, which naturally attracted attention.

Oh, how I loved that! (reminisces)

Shortly after the birth of our 5th child, I registered my business “Nähidee minimo” and sold my products at markets and accepted orders.

I could sew in the evenings, sometimes even at night, whenever time allowed with the children. But the children always came first.

Yes, and then this idea popped into my head: I could open a fabric shop.

Since I am a very spontaneous person, perhaps a bit of a free spirit (my husband thankfully is too), I opened my minimo fabric shop in January 2013.

Back then, it was only open one day a week.
I received – and still receive – a great deal of support from my husband and my children.

Soon sewing classes were added, and I was also able to extend my opening hours as the children grew older.

What is or was the biggest challenge for you in your self-employment?

The biggest challenge is separating work and leisure. Since my work is my absolute passion and my fabric shop is located in our house, I find it almost impossible to maintain this separation.

What do you love about buying fabric for your business?

I love shopping for fabric - who would have thought :)
I love to revel in colors and materials , and perhaps already have one or two models in mind.

I often think of one or another customer when I'm placing a fabric order.

It is important to me that the fabrics are manufactured at least in Europe, partly in Germany.

I'm very glad that one of my daughters usually takes the time to help me with the ordering. This way I can cater very well to the tastes of the younger generation.

When did you start sewing for your family?

My first "sewing victim" was my husband. Back then, still head over heels in love, at the ripe old age of 20, I sewed him all sorts of shirts. With the birth of our children, of course, there was always a new "victim" to add to the list.

Sewing can sometimes produce surprising results… Were there any particular successes or failures?

Yes, there were always surprises: I also sewed "closet corpses", patterns that one had imagined differently.

My most annoying mistake – which unfortunately happens again and again – is that I sometimes cut dresses and trousers too short. It's incredibly frustrating, but I've occasionally been able to fix it with an extension ruffle.

Do your children sew themselves, or do they prefer to have clothes sewn for them?

My children all did some sewing. They made new clothes, but also altered clothes from Dad's wardrobe or from the secondhand shop.

The girls sew sometimes more, sometimes less. It often comes down to time. Other things are often more important. My middle daughter, Amelie, is sewing the most at the moment, as she now leads my children's sewing classes with great enthusiasm.

Since our children practically grew up in a fabric shop, they all have very specific ideas about what their clothes should look like. Which isn't always easy from a sewing perspective.

What brings me great joy? That my children and my husband make themselves available as photo models.
Often, a piece of clothing is exchanged for a photograph.

You mentioned earlier that your family really likes the sustainability aspect of sewing your own clothes. What does that look like in practice?

Since some of my family members wear similar clothing sizes and styles , we can easily swap clothes with each other, thus saving money in the interest of sustainability while still having plenty to choose from.

The self-sewn clothing fosters a very conscious consumption here, as everyone knows how much work and value goes into each individual garment.

The difference between off-the-rack clothing and self-sewn clothing is that the clothes are created by the wearer, according to their own preferences, desires and moods, and one is somehow not subject to fashion trends.

Which was your first sewing machine?

I bought my first sewing machine when I was 19, with my first paycheck. It was a Pfaff “dualmatic 955”.
It still works and is still used by my children.

She's just gotten a little slower.