For creative souls could who love to craft

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  • Netherlands-based designer Zerlina Winkel shares her journey as a designer and creative entrepreneur. Learn the story behind this sewing pattern studio and get to know Zerlina as she talks about beginnings, achievements and future plans.
  • How did you get started with own business?

Before I started as a creative entrepreneur, I worked a hectic job for a multinational company. In my free time, I found sewing to be a hobby that helped me break away from the stressful atmosphere at work. It had a therapeutic and meditative effect on me, and I loved surprising my friends’ kids with softies I had made. Encouraged by friends, I opened an online shop, and when my Cloud Softies and Garlands started to take off, I started to focus more on creating nursery decor items to sell. After a few years, I realised it was time for a change. I decided to start selling sewing patterns only, for other creative souls could who love to craft, so they could enjoy the positive aspects of sewing I had experienced all these years.

  • Why was it time for a change? And why switch to patterns only?
  • There were a few reasons. Around that time, I spent most of my hours fulfilling orders and re-making my items. I realised I missed the designing part. Sustainability was another reason. I've always been very conscious of what materials I worked with, like 100% wool felt, wood and recycled yarn. However, I was shipping my items to customers all over the world. In fact, most of my orders came from the US and Australia, both countries that are not very close to the Netherlands, meaning quite some transport and CO2 emissions. By selling sewing patterns online, I could reduce my brands footprint. That, combined with more design time for me plus the thought of others enjoying my patterns and saying "Yes, I made this!" just made me very happy.
  • What’s your workspace like?
  • My sewing patterns are all 'hand' sewing patterns, so you do not need a sewing machine. And the great thing about hand sewing is that you can do it anywhere! My workspace has often been my garden, which I think is pretty awesome. I do have 'an office' where keep my supplies, where I work on my desktop to put my patterns online and where I take pictures of my latest designs.
  • What have been some of the proudest achievements of your creative career so far?
  • Hitting my 1000th sale was a super proud moment for me. Of course I hope to have many more sales :) Being featured in HomeSpun Magazine and Simply Sewing Magazine also definitely make the list. I sometimes suffer from self-doubt (as I think many creatives do), and it's not always easy to overcome that. But to see your creations mentioned by the media is just such a thrill and an honour! To me it was a stamp of approval from the established media, and it felt like my brand was 'professional enough' to be displayed amongst their favourite picks. But it's always awesome to get a shout out. I get so excited whenever I see one of my patterns 'come to life' when other creatives send me pictures or tag me on social media!
  • What are your future plans?
  • For the near future I have some new patterns coming up. I’m also working on some tutorial video’s to help beginner sewists with basic hand stitches. You can already find some fun tutorials on my blog: https://dreamypatterns.com/blog/ But the project I’m most excited about is a very special one and very close to my heart. I can’t reveal anything yet, but I am very sure you’ll hear about that soon.
  • Credits 3rd picture: upper left @hunni_bun | upper right @squiggly_monkeys | lower left @lovilee_za
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  • Sewing
  • Patterns
  • Softies

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