BERNINA Corporate Blog -Hello everyone! My name is Suvi, and in addition to my main job, I also work as a knitwear designer and hopefully soon, a sewing designer. You can find my work on my Instagram account, @kudelmiani. I grew up in a family of artisans, surrounded by craftsmanship: my mother loves knitting, my aunt sews, my uncle works with wood, and my cousin creates beautiful comic art and literature. Craftsmanship has been a part of me since I was born. I have lovely early memories of crafts, such as my aunt’s sewing room. I vividly remember the gentle smell of fabrics, the hum of the sewing machine, and the ever-fascinating button box.
I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the amazing Swiss and Finnish teams at Bernina, and I’ve been given the opportunity to create a special content series, which includes three blog posts. Through this series, I want to share my unique perspective on the world of sewing—perhaps a slightly different one—but I hope it brings joy and new insights to you readers. In the first part, I’ll talk about why I sew, the next will focus on how I sew, and the third on what I sew. Warmly welcome to join me on this journey and comment with your own story!
Why I Sew?
Handicrafts and visual arts have always been a big part of me, but a lot happened during my teenage years. My battle with an eating disorder and the long road to recovery spanned over many years. During that time, my mind was closed off to creativity. Life felt like a constant struggle, and for a time, I lost a large part of myself.
Gradually, as I began to recover, I started thinking about what I liked. The routine dictated by the eating disorder began to fade, and many beautiful things found their way back into my life. The most significant and meaningful period in my life—becoming a mother—further increased my desire to teach my child the courage to listen to their own needs and desires. Handicrafts also helped me adjust to my new role as a mother and provided small moments to breathe.
I have a background in health sciences, but because I felt that crafts had such a strong connection to mental well-being, I wanted to deepen my knowledge in the field of craft science. I applied and was accepted into a special program at the University of Helsinki, which complements my previous studies. During this time, the sewing bug bit me—and hard!
During my studies, I designed and created my first sewing pattern, which I named Blooming Happiness. Through this dress, I wanted to express that being highly sensitive is not a weakness but a strength, something that should never be hidden. I`m highly sensitive, both emotionally and physically, and for a long time, I tried to hide it. Nowadays, I see it as my superpower, something I hold on to tightly.
I always knit and sew from a place of values. Every project I design contains a story and a purpose, often aimed at reducing the stigma around mental well-being. Sewing, for me, is a way to express myself and my values. While I know I can’t change the world for the better on my own, I feel a sense of accomplishment if even one person who encounters my designs feels empowered or happy through my instructions. That’s when I know I’ve succeeded.
Pictures: I also love to knit and design my own knitting patterns. In the picture are my Mountaineer Beanie and an old t-shirt, which I dyed by hand.
Sewing is a way to be happy
For me, sewing, or craftsmanship in general, is NOT about perfection or neat seams. Sewing, to me, is immediate joy and pleasure, a way to take care of myself and express who I am. I don’t believe there’s one right way to sew; it’s all about finding your own way. So, each of us can and is able to sew, as long as we enjoy it and want to do it.
This is also an important value for me—making sewing and crafts accessible to everyone. As a potential future crafts teacher, I want to discover ways to sew that don’t require expensive materials or machines, formal education, or advanced technology. For example, you can sew using recycled materials or textiles found at home, sew by hand, or use public sewing machines. Here in Finland, for instance, you can rent a sewing machine at the library for a short period.
In my own life, I’ve only bought a few new fabrics. Instead, I’ve sewn from curtains, bed sheets, old clothes, and I’ve dived into my school’s leftover fabric box. I even thought about sewing from old coffee bags, carpets, or parts of furniture. Really, the only limit is your imagination when it comes to what materials you can use, try, and get inspired by. There’s no right or wrong.
Picture: Sewing is my way of taking care of my mental health and creating art.
With my story, I hope to encourage and inspire everyone interested in sewing to find the sewing method that suits you best. For me, it’s a part of my personality and a way to take care of my mental well-being. I’d also love to hear what sewing means to you! Let’s share our thoughts in the comments about what sewing gives us, so we can learn from and inspire one another. Hearing others’ stories is incredibly empowering and supportive.
A heartfelt thank you for your time, for reading my post, and for any comments you may leave! I’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram, so if you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to message me there.
With love,
Suvi
@kudelmiani
Beautifully said! Sewing has always been a form of self-care for me too. It’s amazing how focusing on a project can help reduce stress and bring a sense of accomplishment. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you for your comment <3 Have a lovely and kind sewing moments and all the best to you!
Hugs,
Suvi