Interview with @naehliebhaberin

It was a cool but sunny day in March when we opened the glass door to our studio for Annette, and we were genuinely taken aback. Of course, we knew that Annette was 1.83 meters tall because she always mentions it in her Instagram posts—and Chris and I aren't exactly short ourselves— but Annette is truly a striking figure.

With a warm smile and her open manner, styled in a caramel-colored fur jacket (Nadja) and a bright green patterned blouse (Zadie dress in short form), she greeted us . The energy immediately filled our rooms. Simply fantastic. And then it began:

When and why did you start sewing?

"Well, I taught myself to sew. The trigger was when a friend altered a piece of clothing for me, and even then I thought that I wanted to be able to do that too."

And then I waited for someone to teach me.

But nobody came.

So I bought a Privileg Silvercrest on eBay for 30 euros.

Then I watched a YouTube video on how to bring up the bobbin thread - and then I got started.

The important thing to note here is that until then I practically only wore one look: baggy pants and a T-shirt.

(Note: It's really hard to believe when you look at this woman sitting across from us, looking so incredibly stylish, but she pulled out her slightly older ID card, which also shows her sporting a mohawk, and then it became clear: a complete transformation had taken place. Now we're hanging on her every word.)

What do you like best about sewing?

"Well, at first it was more like 'sewing for the sake of sewing,' but then came Corona, and during the lockdown I ordered my first sewing patterns and just started sewing. Just like I thought. You see, I'm 1.83 meters tall, my upper body is rather broad, but I have very slim legs. Somehow, I've never had a chance at finding nice off-the-rack clothes that fit me well. What fit on top was baggy around my hips, and what fit on the bottom didn't work on top at all."

But now that I sew my own clothes, I can finally dress the way I want. Now my look reflects my femininity, and that's a really great feeling.

For me , sewing my own clothes is a completely new way to express myself and who I am."

Which was your first pattern from Schnittmuster Berlin?

"That was Dana's hoodie."

Back then I wasn't very good at sewing, so the result was only moderately good. But then the Lotta pattern came along and from then on it just kept getting better and better."

How did a hobby become design sewing?

"So first I was in a test sewing group, but the scheduling was difficult and you weren't allowed to change anything on the pattern. That wasn't really for me. And then you guys put out the call for design sewing and I applied – and I was accepted."

I enjoy sewing what I like as a design seamstress, and the freedom to decide whether I want to participate in a particular piece.

How many patterns have you used from Schnittmuster Berlin?

"MANY. I don't really know the exact number."

(As part of this campaign, we did count them, of course, and in total there are almost 40 sewing patterns!)

Which is your favorite haircut?

(She laughs) "Always exactly the one I'm sewing. And that's why I often end up making several garments in a row. I just can't stop."

What changes do you need to make to our patterns?

"The length, of course. Like I said: 1.83 meters - there always has to be length in there."

Sometimes I make trousers narrower at the hips, adjust the cut for a flatter bottom, and I always take a centimeter out of the crotch seam."

What do you do with all the sewn pieces?

" I now have two clothing racks, and they're absolutely overflowing. But I love wearing everything , and I now have clothes for every occasion. To keep track of everything, I've sorted all the items on the racks by color."

My love for my own fashion goes so far that I dress up nicely in the morning, think about my look for the day, and then go to work – where I have to change again because I wear a uniform for my job. But that doesn't bother me at all; instead, I look forward to slipping back into MY look in the evening – even if I'm just going home.

Interview with Annette, @naehliebhaberin, 52 years old, senior manager, 1.83 meters tall, dress size 50