Creating unique pieces to wear and then share on your social media to inspire others: the sew & blog combo is all the rage! As the number of sewists keeps multiplying, we want to spotlight sewists in our community - get to know Frank from @nuevenpunto.
What inspired you to start sewing?
I think it's in my genes. My aunt Josefa was a tailor. And my father was very creative. What I remember most are the magazines my mother used to buy every week. I was fascinated by the fashion sections in the back pages. And especially those where celebrities would open the doors of their mansions and pose with exclusive designs. I could spend hours looking at those fantastic creations.
How did you learn how to sew?
When I was 17 years old, I started working in a small workshop as an apprentice. They made men's jackets. I helped the cutters, but I was more interested in the area where they were sewn. Those pieces of cloth were taking shape - pure magic! One day, one of the ladies who sewed sat me down at her sewing machine and began to teach me my first stitches. As soon as I could, I bought my first sewing machine. My first piece of work was very simple, a shoulder bag.
When it comes to handicrafts, are there any new challenges you'd like to take on?
I have yet to learn to embroider by hand, but I don't have the patience. They say it is very relaxing, but it makes me nervous.
How would you convince someone who doesn’t sew to give it a go?
I think the right word is not convincing, but encouraging. It's not difficult, it's very creative. Wearing a garment sewn by yourself is very satisfying. Being able to wear your own style provides a lot of confidence. Or any accessory, whether decorative or functional. Sewing is very addictive!
What does your workspace look like? And where is it?
We have recently moved to Agullana, a small village in Girona. We are renovating the house of our great-grandparents. Between stone walls and bóveda catalana ceilings, I have improvised a small provisional workspace. I still have to move out of my flat in Murcia and bring all the material I need... little by little.
What made you decide to start your blog or Instagram page?
Nowadays it is essential to be connected to the world. Social media is an everyday part of our daily lives. Having an Instagram page makes you instantly visible to the world. It is a good opportunity to make yourself known.
Where did you get the name for your blog or Instagram page? And why that one in particular?
It came about by chance. At that time, at nine o'clock at night, it was time to see my partner by videoconference, a long-distance relationship. We had dinner together, one on each side of the screen, talking about the day-to-day. Shuffling through names, Nuevenpunto came up. And it won by a landslide.
Where do you get your inspiration for your blog or Instagram page?
Today, the Internet is on our fingertips. In a second you can see catwalks, trends, a fusion of styles, ideas, etc. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to see so much information. While I don't usually publish much on my own channels, I do keep a lot of sewing and pattern posts. I do think of a garment being tailor-made for person, and not person being made for a garment.
And which other blogs or Instagram pages do you enjoy or inspire you?
I especially like the ones that deal with sewing and pattern-making tips, and tutorials to solve little problems that arise with each project. I also take a look at alternative proposals. I am also passionate about traditional costumes and I find inspiration in them. A red carpet also holds many surprises. But above all, I concentrate on the small details of tailoring, which for me are essential.
Of all your creations, which one do you think is the very best? Which one are you proudest of?
I could say that the best creation is always the last one you make until the next one comes along. But it's very difficult to choose one. They all have a lot of love sewn into them.
But I remember with special affection my first collaboration with Fibre Mood, with Lidia Cruells. The "Norma" blouse was already beautiful itself, but to be able to transform the pattern... The result was spectacular!
What future projects do you have in mind?
To consolidate a small workshop and focus it more on teaching and training. To get other people to discover that this is also their dream.
What tips & tricks would you like to pass on to sewist(a)s who are just starting out?
Read all the instructions of a pattern carefully. To the very end. This means you can save fabric... and tears. Patience - sometimes the excitement overwhelms us. Don't be discouraged, because your first project may not be perfect. That's ok. With practice, everything improves considerably.
