Hello there!
My name is Marlena and I am blogging to you from Oslo, Norway.
This blog was created to share with you my passion for sewing and drawing. (In other words, I started a blog because my mom was tired of receiving hundreds of pictures of what I’ve made… 🙂 )
I bought my first sawing machine in August 2017, but I’ve been dreaming of altering and making my own clothes ever since I can remember.
The biggest reason why I wanted to make my own outfits is something a lot of women can relate to – I could NEVER find well-fitting clothes in the stores. I’m a short person (with a very short torso…) and finding a skirt, shirt or pants that fit my waist was a mission impossible.
Standardised sizing used by clothing companies not only excludes many buyers but it also aggravates the negative body image many women struggle with. It took me a while to understand that we were not born to fit standardized molds dictated by the fashion industry. We are all unique and having clothes that fit helps us accept our body AS IT IS.
Making my own clothes became my personal way of coming to terms with who I am and how I look like. I do take care of my body – training and a healthy diet are natural parts of my life – but I will never stress over my evident lack of Instagram butt or whatever the next craze is going to be.
I make a lot of free tutorials in hope that they inspire other women to make clothes that fit them and make them feel beautiful! Remember:
“It’s the dress that must be perfect, not your figure.”
Love,
I really enjoy your blog
hope to try some of your beautiful outfits. you just look so beautiful in everything you made
I never did anything with out a pattern but will give it a go.
not that I am good at that but learning.
thank you for sharing
Hi June!
So nice to see your comment! I am happy to hear that you feel inspired to try new things!
Give yourself a permission to make mistakes and correct them as you go – that’s the success formula for making things without a pattern.
Love,
Marlena 🙂
I love your blog. I am currently drafting a pattern for the Norell jacket. I already have a houndstooth check high waist skirt I picked up at a thrift store for 2$. And I just purchased some lovely brown Melton wool to make the jacket! Can’t wait to wear it this winter! I live in N. Carolina, U.S.A., so I may have to wait until November! I love DIY patterns! Thank you so much for your DIY tutorials!
Hi Susan!
I would really love to see what you make with your materials!
Personally, I love the Norell suit so much that I am considering making it in a lighter material to be able to wear it on a warmer weather too!
It was lovely to see your comment. Thank you for reaching out! <3
You look fantastic in whatever you have made. Love this blog. You clever young lady! Thank you very much as a joy to read! Sonny http://www.thevintagepatternshop.com
Hi Sonny!
Thank you for your lovely comment. I can’t wait to make something out of your beautiful, vintage patterns! <3
Love your wonderful blogs….I am so looking forward to you blogging for us! You do a wonderful job of vintage dressmaking and you look such a vintage beauty in those vintage creations you wear! You were born for it! Sonny (Director) at The Vintage Pattern Shop
YES YES YES…. we at the established well known “The Vintage Pattern Shop” will be bringing Marlena on board with our company to BLOG,……she does it so well! We are the BIGGEST company worldwide, producing the LARGEST collection of reproduced Vintage Sewing Patterns, selling worldwide.
I can’t wait to introduce my readers to The Vintage Pattern Shop. I fell in love with them recently and I am sure many other ladies will do the same! <3
Hello
I love what you’re wearing in the picture, did you make the top or skirt for it ? There’s no tutorial for that one.. The shirt looks really full and I’d love to make one for myself if you have a pattern/ tutorial?
Love you’re blog, keep going. You’ve got greate style !
Robyn
Marlena, I love your creations – how inspiring! I also want to pick up sewing to create the 1940s dresses I love. Can you share what kind of sewing machine you got? And any recommendations on books or other resources to learn how to sew that helped you? Thanks!
Hello Rae,
Thank you for your comment! 🙂 I have a very simple sewing machine, which served me very well so far. It’s very affordable and has everything you need to start – Singer Tradition (I’m sorry but I don’t remember the number right now). Personally, I find it easier to start learning with tutorials. There are plenty on youtube, but I also love learning on Bluprint – http://fbuy.me/mzJDL
Hope that helps! 🙂
I love your blog but I wish you posted in 2019 more designs. I also love to sew and your vintage style is very similar to mine. I have made some of the designs you shared and would love to see more of the clothes you make, especially pants.
Thank you so much for your comment! I will be posting more content this year so stay tuned! 🙂
Big hugs,
Marlena xxx
Marlena, My name is Dave and I am a male. I recently got interested in sewing and that is how I found your blog. I will say to your comment about the instagram butt, you don’t need it, as many of those women are pretentious and fake. You are absolutely beautiful and your dresses look great on you.