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Sewing in Norway

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About

Who knew sewing could be so freeing?
The truth is, although I grew up in a household with an avid sewer and spent years of my life struggling to find proper RTW (ready-to-wear) clothes, I never thought about sewing my own clothes until almost three years ago. I saw a beautiful dress online, noticed the shipping cost from the U.S. to Norway and all of a sudden thought to myself “I bet I could make that…”. And BOOM – just like that, I started garment sewing and haven’t really stopped since.

Sewing helped me understand that most RTW clothes are made to sell to a mass audience and not necessarily look good any one body type. And especially not on my 6-foot-tall, plus sized frame. Especially fast fashion – which is most of what shopping in Norway is, unfortunately. And even after over 10 years living in Norway, I still hate shopping here. A lot. So I guess in a way, making my own clothes just makes sense and was about damn time. Yes, I still buy RTW from time to time and even fast fashion once in a blue moon, but most of my wardrobe is me-made.

Norway, is a longgg country!

Sewing is About So Much More Than Clothes

Sewing has been much more for me than a way to make nice looking clothes. It’s been a sort of therapy, empowering my ability to carry myself in the world the way I want – on my own terms. And that is what this blog is all about – learning how to sew on your own terms, no matter what your perceived limitations are, geographical or otherwise.

Sewing has also helped heal me from the trauma of poor self-image resulting from decades of wearing poorly fitting garments, too. I spent years of my life thinking the clothes were fine and I was the problem – but sewing my own clothes has really taught me how easy it is to up the cup size on a blouse or extend the sleeves a bit.

It’s also taught me how to express my own sense of style in a way nothing else has. Imagine never being able to wear blouses (because the sleeves are too short) or wear a suit (because they are too boxy) or even wear a t-shirt without it struggling to contain your jiggly bits or else drowning you in fabric! Sewing my own clothes has opened up the possibility of wearing any garment my heart desires, custom fit to my frame and taste, without compromising on quality if I so choose. I love that about sewing my own clothes – if I want it, I can (with some effort) make it to suit me 100%.

Why I Started This Blog and What You Can Expect to Find Here

Sewing in Norway can be, well, challenging. While Norway has an extensive history of knitting, garment sewing, especially for smart casual clothing can be tough. Most sewing in Norway is done for children and finding sewing tools or fashion fabric which are worthy of their cost is nearly impossible. Yes, I love fun knits just like anyone else, but I’d love a nice double knit wool crepe to make a suit from or a wonderfully drapey silk blend to make a fantastic summer dress. And maybe, just maybe in a fun bright color?

I want to use this blog to help other people find their way in the sewing community, especially here in Norway. So join me as I learn more about sewing in Norway and share my adventures with you.

The Boring (but Necessary) Legal Notices

GDPR Notice and Privacy Policy
This blog follows Norwegian regulations about data security and follows the newly enacted rules around privacy in Europe, otherwise known as GDPR. You can read the Privacy and Cookie Policy for this blog by clicking the link or through the contact page.

Comment Policy
Obviously I love comments on the blog posts I write but I have a ZERO tolerance policy for abuse on this blog – of myself or others. This is an open and safe place for people of all walks of life and opinions, but foul play in any form is not acceptable here.

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Hei - I'm Whitney! I am a sewing enthusiast and writer! I also love refashioning old items into something useful. I use this blog to document my sewing adventures from the southwestern coast of Norway. Read More…

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Finished just in time for today’s rain shower. N Finished just in time for today’s rain shower. No matter, this joyful #ankarafabrics print is going to take those rainy blues far, far away. Buttons from @simplyfabricsbrixton. Other notions from @stoffstil #stoffogstilstavanger
After a few weeks of losing my #sewjo, I’m nearl After a few weeks of losing my #sewjo, I’m nearly finished my #africanwaxprint #cashmeretteholyoke peplum top. This is the shortened version of the #cashmerettepatterns Holyoke dress pattern and great for wearing over skirts and jeans! Peplum tops almost never work for me but this one has a very defined waist and a larger bust area so I’m sure it’s going to be a winner once finished.
Say hello to today’s #scrapbusting project - #pi Say hello to today’s #scrapbusting project - #pipathepouch from @sewing.masin 😀 This #pdfpattern comes in two sizes and is available for free when you sign up for their newsletter.

I decided not to quilt my fabric and removed the side tabs. I also serged the final two side seams instead of covering them with bias binding.
Let’s just be honest, most maternity clothes are Let’s just be honest, most maternity clothes are pretty sad and joyless (not to mention expensive). So when I found out I was pregnant last year, I decided I was going to make my pregnancy wardrobe on my own. Here is my list of the me made clothes I wore most frequently while pregnant. Many of these patterns are also breast feeding friendly as well.

http://sewinginnorway.com/my-favorite-maternity-friendly-sewing-patterns/
#blackouttuesday #blackouttuesday
Thanks for the great @youtube video @sewspire! I m Thanks for the great @youtube video @sewspire! I made your “ultimate reusable grocery shopping tote bag” but customized it by taking out the internal dividers. I also used French seams on the inside because canvas always frays (like crazy) 🤣 #stayhomeandsew #sewcialdistancing #stoffstildiy
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This blog currently has affiliate relationships with various online retailers, which give me a percentage of sales if you buy a product through the link posted on my blog. If you are uncomfortable with this, feel free to go directly the company’s web site and search for the item itself.

Finished just in time for today’s rain shower. N Finished just in time for today’s rain shower. No matter, this joyful #ankarafabrics print is going to take those rainy blues far, far away. Buttons from @simplyfabricsbrixton. Other notions from @stoffstil #stoffogstilstavanger
After a few weeks of losing my #sewjo, I’m nearl After a few weeks of losing my #sewjo, I’m nearly finished my #africanwaxprint #cashmeretteholyoke peplum top. This is the shortened version of the #cashmerettepatterns Holyoke dress pattern and great for wearing over skirts and jeans! Peplum tops almost never work for me but this one has a very defined waist and a larger bust area so I’m sure it’s going to be a winner once finished.
Say hello to today’s #scrapbusting project - #pi Say hello to today’s #scrapbusting project - #pipathepouch from @sewing.masin 😀 This #pdfpattern comes in two sizes and is available for free when you sign up for their newsletter.

I decided not to quilt my fabric and removed the side tabs. I also serged the final two side seams instead of covering them with bias binding.
Let’s just be honest, most maternity clothes are Let’s just be honest, most maternity clothes are pretty sad and joyless (not to mention expensive). So when I found out I was pregnant last year, I decided I was going to make my pregnancy wardrobe on my own. Here is my list of the me made clothes I wore most frequently while pregnant. Many of these patterns are also breast feeding friendly as well.

http://sewinginnorway.com/my-favorite-maternity-friendly-sewing-patterns/
#blackouttuesday #blackouttuesday
Thanks for the great @youtube video @sewspire! I m Thanks for the great @youtube video @sewspire! I made your “ultimate reusable grocery shopping tote bag” but customized it by taking out the internal dividers. I also used French seams on the inside because canvas always frays (like crazy) 🤣 #stayhomeandsew #sewcialdistancing #stoffstildiy
My version of the #studiocosturadailytote from #st My version of the #studiocosturadailytote from #studiocosturapatterns is finished ❤️ I made mine from heavy weight canvas from #stoffogstilstavanger and put the external zipper pouch on the inside. #stoffstildiy
I hope everyone out there is taking care and stayi I hope everyone out there is taking care and staying in if they can. I have been feeling very inspired and blessed by all of the kindness I’ve seen extended to virtual strangers online in Norway and it makes me very proud that I live here. I received these flowers last week from @edgargrimberg and @tjeltagirl - two of my favorite humans - for #internationalwomensday, and they are still giving us love. So if you need some brightness in your life today, here it is 😍
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