Meet Team Farbenmix
Links and a few words about our wonderful Farbenmix designers "Farbenmix" is German for "color mix" and the name of Sabine Pollehn's line of sewing patterns. More than a name, however, Farbenmix has come to be synonymous with design for children from a child's point of view. That means lots of color, function, comfort and creative, individual style. Meet Principal Designer Sabine Pollehn
Sabine Pollehn is the principal designer and driving force behind Farbenmix. Together with her daughters Janina, who handles the business end, and Malina, the pretty red-head who is her inspiration, and solely on the strength of her designs and commitment to continually offer something better and inspiring, Farbenmix is quickly becoming an internationally recognized line of sewing patterns. This is the story of Farbenmix in Sabine’s words. “More than twenty years ago, when my first daughter was still a baby, I began to sew. I had learned the basics of sewing from my mother and grandmother, received a sewing machine as a gift, and, since we really did not have much money left over for children’s clothing, I began to sew my own. “I would leaf through the classified ads to find second-hand corduroy pants (they were the fashion back then), preferably ones being given away for free. “We were often approached and asked about our children’s clothing. The brands such as Oilily, Esprit or MEXX were not yet well-known and the children’s clothing widely available then was rather dull. And this was how I received my first custom orders and was able to invest in a small supply of fabrics. I took courses in sewing and textile design. As I began to acquire more and more clients, in 1985, I decided to start my own business and I was able to buy fabrics in larger quantities at the textile fair in Frankfurt. “Mothers were quite taken with the quality and workmanship of the clothing. The children liked the appliqués, the knick-knacks and bric-a-brac, like sparkling rhinestones and satin ribbons, especially if the children were allowed to choose the embellishments themselves, such that they could also identify themselves with their clothes. “Thus, until 1998, I created new, complete collections every season, often employing additional seamstresses, and sewed innumerable one-of-a-kind pieces. “For health reasons, our family moved to the North Sea. Because the number of our children had grown and I had those responsibilities, I closed down my sewing business. The children came first and I sewed nothing at all. “When our youngest daughter was born, I felt the desire once more to design and sew children’s clothes. “I do not sew custom orders anymore. But I use my Internet presence to share what I know about sewing. “Every
child is a special gift. School uniforms and mass-produced clothing are not
worthy of any child. Even everyday clothes should bring out the personality of
the child and allow childhood dreams to become a reality. Sewing is not haute
couture: The magic can be found in bringing to life a child’s dream, in the
love, which is put into every special piece of handmade clothing, and in the
joy in selecting the pattern, the material and each piece of trim. It is in the
creation of a tiny work of art with your own hands, in snipping the very last
thread, and in finally in trying on the finished piece for the first time. And
the magic is in seeing your work in the everyday, a work, which endures much
longer than, say, cooking and cleaning.” In addition to herself, Sabine has taken on additional designers under the Farbenmix banner. Claudia Diesner: Cinderella Zwergen Mode
Claudia's happy designs are not only skillfully and expertly executed, but consistently reflect design innovation. Claudia is mother to five children and quite the creative tour de force. Her current Farbenmix designs include QUMAIRA and WINONA. Claudia also creates embroidery designs, which are available through Huups! Claudia is also such a positive and enthusiastic person: I think a scroll through her colorful wonderland of a blog is an excellent reflection of her personality. Dana Lübke: Made By Emely
Dana publishes under the name "Traumschnitt", which means "dream pattern". I hope you will agree that the fit, style and form of a Traumschnitt design is just that. Dana designs both for children and ladies. Her ladies' designs especially are designed to flatter many different body types. We look forward to offering more of her titles in English. Ingrid Nußbaum: INUIT Design Nobody mixes romantic with funky cool the way Ingrid does. Perhaps it is part of her Andalusian heritage we see reflected in her use of stylistic elements and fabric combinations. Whatever the reason, we are proud to share her talents in Farbenmix titles such as WANDA. Ingrid in her own words: "I am 39 years old, a trained insurance agent, but have since made my passion--sewing--my vocation. I have two children, Elena and Nele. I am half Spanish, a part of me comes from Andalusia. That is why I also love to dance flamenco. In addition to sewing, I have many other passions: Heirloom roses, card playing, science fiction novels, the American South, athletics, my husband, my children. I am the biggest fan of Lord of the Rings, especially Gandolf. I love Gone with the Wind and A Beautiful Mind. I am sometimes somewhat a little chaotic and disorganized, but only a little." Sanna Moser Bunte Nadel
"I am 35 years old and have two wonderful girls and a super husband. I am a trained business management assistant and until the birth of my first daughter, employed in procurement. While on maternity leave, I discovered Sabine Pollehn's wonderful Web site and was inspried to teach myself sewing on a 20-year-old sewing machine. At the time, there was no "Farbenmix", just the Gallery of Sabine's sewn designs and those of her guests. "Essentially, I am a self-teacher, an autodidact in my heart and soul. I enjoy being able to teach myself new skills. I'm always looking for a challenge. "I love all things creative. Some things I find I can do pretty well, other not so. Nonetheless, I see my failings positively. I abide by the motto: You learn from your mistakes. "Sewing and designing sewing patterns ist but a small part, nonetheless exciting part of my work. I dedicated my first sewing pattern HANNEL to my two daughters: HANnah und NELe. Their joyfulness, liveliness, and love of color inspire me. The dress GABRIELLA, for example, was created by a special request from my girls." Please check back often to this page as we add more creative and inspiring designers! |
