We saw pictures of Anja’s creations from “Verflixt&Zuannat” on Instagram – and were amazed by Anja’s courage to use strong colors. Today Anja gives us an insight into her sewing world. Are you curious which sewing corpses she has in the basement (sewing studio), when does she get a pulse of 180 and what are her three most important tips for anyone who wants to start sewing? You can find out all this and much more in the interview.
Interview with Anja from “Verflixt&Zustich”
Dear Anja, tell me, who are you?
I am Anja Jaron, 52 years old, married and have two sons aged 28 and 19.
You offer sewing courses in Bad Soden-Salmünster under the label Verflixt&Zuannat. How would you briefly summarize your offer?
I have been offering my courses for 10 years. I don’t have any special offers. Anyone who wants to sew and has fun, whether beginner or advanced, can register. All levels are in a group, motivate and complement each other. I also offer every sewing student to contact me in advance about the sewing project. I am also available to help and advise on the choice of cut and fabric.
Where and when do the sewing courses take place? How can you sign in?
My sewing studio – my creative oasis – is in my house. So I can go to my sewing machines at any time. All information such as dates and the registration and contact form can be found on my homepage.
How did Verflixt&Zustich come to be founded? What did you do before and how has the business developed since it was founded?
The foundation was actually not planned at all 😉. A friend of mine who was looking for a sewing course approached me and asked if I would like to teach her how to sew. The idea wouldn’t let me go. I developed a plan and officially registered a small business.
How did you get into sewing yourself? Who did you learn it from?
My sewing career started a long time ago, because when I was a teenager I would take my father’s discarded shirts and rework them, today’s upcycling, so to speak. That was still pure manual work. Only years later did I take over my grandmother’s sewing machine, with which I sewed curtains, shortened trousers, etc. However, such sewing did not really make me happy. i wanted more That’s why I attended a sewing course and since then I’ve been addicted to fabrics and sewing.
Many get into sewing through their own children. Did that also play a role for you?
No not at all. If anything, my children have tried sewing because of me. 😊
Was it easy for you to learn to sew? Or were there hurdles? If so, which ones and how did you overcome them?
It was clear to me that I would have to sew a lot if I wanted to move forward quickly. So I cut and sewed, stapled and of course separated what I had learned in the sewing course at home.
The three most important tips for anyone who wants to start sewing?
Just do it and don’t get discouraged. AND a solid sewing machine! Because you can only have fun at work with good hand tools. And especially at the beginning: When things aren’t going so easily, good material is important.
On Instagram you show cool, sometimes brightly colored fashion. Are colors your thing? How would you describe your style?
I love color and need color in my clothes. I like gray a lot on others, not at all on me. I find it very difficult to describe my style. I usually let myself be drawn into the spell of new trends very quickly.
We think you have a weakness for bags. Right? Do you have a favorite model?
There is definitely a weakness for bags, but the relationship is ambivalent, more of a love-hate relationship. Because I don’t like to sew bags, but I love the finished piece.
Do you only sew for yourself or do you also sell fashion and accessories?
I only sew for myself or for my family.
Who or what do you let your creations inspire you from? Do you have a fashion role model?
I don’t have a specific person as a fashion role model. I tend to find my inspiration on the street, when strolling through town, on TV and of course on Instagram, basically anywhere there are people.
What do you appreciate most about sewing?
I love to sew something spontaneously. If I’m missing a combination piece, I don’t think twice, look for the cut and fabric and get started. As a result, my closet is slowly bursting at the seams.
What sewing project are you currently working on? Can we see some of this?
Carnival is coming soon. As every year, a new costume is needed. My carnival costume this year has the motto “pink”. The costume was created from a curtain fabric and plush.
Is there something about sewing that you don’t like at all?
The now and then unavoidable unraveling.
Do your projects always end well or have there been disasters?
Every supposed catastrophe has turned into something great. Not immediately, often the disaster part has to stay put for a while and eke out its existence as a sewing corpse until the right idea has emerged in my head. This includes, for example, a project from the magazine “inspiration” 3/21, the fake fur jacket. Not much is missing to finish it. But since the fur lints so much, I put them away every time I take them out of the box because everything is immediately full of little hairs.
Is there a material you prefer to sew with? If so, which? What are you sewing with it?
I prefer woven goods, whether jeans, gabardine, cotton or silk. I also really like knits. Viscose jersey, on the other hand, not at all.
Do you sew your entire wardrobe yourself or do you also go shopping?
I sew 99% of my wardrobe myself, if you don’t count the underwear.
Is there anything you would like to share with other seamstresses?
Treat yourself to good equipment, high-quality fabric scissors, good thread and a solid sewing machine.
Out of your own interest: we think you sew with BERNINA. Right? Do you like your machine(s)? 🙂
I own four different BERNINA sewing machine models: a BERNINA activa 230, a BERNINA 215, a BERNINA 350 PE and a BERNINA 570 QE. And I’m very happy with them too. As I said before, I believe that one should not underestimate how important a good sewing machine is for success and for having fun sewing.
Is there an accessory that you particularly like?
I especially like the square edge foot #10 and my ruffler #86. My next purchase will be a foot with a sliding sole.
Fun facts
outfit while sewing?
From pajamas to evening dresses – I don’t care. Once I’m in sewing mode, I can quickly let an hour or two pass in any outfit.
Shoes on or off?
shoes on
Do you have a sewing trick?
No… Or does that include a lot of ironing?
Zigzag or slowly and carefully?
Often in a jiffy, which I usually get annoyed about afterwards and therefore work slowly and carefully on the next project. The next but one, well, it all starts all over again.
Order or organized chaos?
Sometimes like this; sometimes like that. But there is also said to have been unorganized chaos in my sewing studio.
To wash fabrics before sewing or not?
Be sure to wash!
How big is your fabric store?
I need a certain selection for creative development. Besides, buying fabrics is also a hobby.
Your all-time favorite fabric? How come?
Cotton. I like it on the skin, it’s easy to work with, there are 1000 variants.
Your favorite fabric right now?
quilting
Do you have a sewing motto?
Well ironed is half sewn!
your favorite place?
Near my sewing machines.
Do you have hobbies besides sewing?
Learning Spanish, because soon I’m going to Argentina to visit my son, who is doing a voluntary social year there.
Favorite sewing accessory?
Sublimating chalk and protractor.
Pins or clips? Which?
Basically (long) pins with a glass head, but sometimes clips are also very useful.
are you talking to your sewing machine?
Funnily enough, only with one, the B 570.
How do you react when someone uses your fabric scissors to cut paper?
With a heart rate of 180! But that hardly ever happens.
Find out more about Anja from “Verflixt&Zustich”
You can find more information about Anja on her Instagram channel:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/anjajaron
We will continue to blog interviews with sewing, embroidery and quilting personalities. Can you think of a person you would like to know more about? Then let us know their names in the comments.
