Freelancing Stories: Running a Business as a Freelance Sewer with Atelier Sul Brenta

For the first Freelancing Stories episode of this new year, I'm excited to share the story of a creative business I so deeply admire. Cristina runs her own clothing line from quite some time as a freelance sewer and designer, and she was so kind to share her journey and how it all started in today's interview.

I'm sure you'll see her passion and creativity passing through this lines. Hopefully her story can inspire any of you with the same dream...

What do you do?

Well hello! I like to call myself a “natural sewer”. This is a definition I came up with some time ago to describe my actual job position as a freelance sewer. I should be actually definying myself as a clothing designer! Because I not only sew, but also design clothes from scratch. But the name “sewer” remind me of homemade works, and I love the feel of it!

The clothes I create for my shop Atelier Sul Brenta are made of exclusively natural and organic fabrics. I’ve spent years looking for the best materials out there, but this is always an on-going and quite manic research.

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How did it all begin? When did you decide to go for it?

I was looking into learning an actual job after years of theoretical studying at university. Actually I’ve always dreamed of learning how to sew my own clothes ever since I was a teenager and internet wasn’t there to always have everything at your fingertips. If you wanted something different from usual, you had to create it yourself!

I’ll admit I’ve worn my dad’s old velvet pants (quite a large fit on me, I’d like to add!) revisited with handmade braces! It was a long time ago, I promise…

And this how my story as a freelance sewer and designer has started.

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What was your biggest goal or dream when you started?

I never set myself the biggest goals. I only dreamed of earning a living out of what I love doing. And maybe live with dignity as well. I do have to give up on something sometimes, but I’m happy anyway.

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How was it, when you took the risk? Anything you didn’t expect?

I totally took a leap in the dark, and a big one, when deciding to run my own business as a freelance sewer. But, by nature, I don’t really fear the unknown or big changes. Maybe I naively thought I’d seen the first results coming way earlier than they did. It took a while, but I’m finally reaping the benefits of my hard work.

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Did/do you have to face adversity?

Freelancing never lacks for difficulties! I don’t live in a fairytale, even if I sometimes feel like so. But then, which job doesn’t come with difficulties anyway? It’s generally money-related, because as for the rest, ideas and passion are never-ending over here!

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What’s your biggest goal for your freelance career at the moment?

If I say earning more thanks to my job, does it sound shallow? I’d love to be able to invest more money into my business for sure. Maybe even buying myself a lab where I can be creative outside of my own home and usual spaces.

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Tell us your secret! Your best tip about freelancing?

Sometimes, in Winter, when I have a good load of work to do, I stay in my pajamas all day (and this is surely the best thing about freelancing!).

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Want to be featured in the next episode of Freelancing Stories? I'd love to hear from you! If you run a freelance business (of any kind) and would like to share your inspiring story, please feel free to get in touch!