About
I was born 1979 (you do the math), originally from Cluj Napoca, Romania. Currently, I work as a software developer in Hollywood, Florida. In my spare time I enjoy sewing, which I find very relaxing and useful. I have been sewing as a hobby since I was 12 and learned it from my mother. I did everything from lingerie, swimming suits to jeans, ski jackets, fake fur and fake leather, wedding gowns and men suits, most from Burda Magazine. I love doing this so much that I ended up making almost all of my clothes using patterns I’ve been collecting since 1990. Started to enjoy knitting and crochet, got my hands on some tatting more recently.
Burda Modemagazine
Threads Blog
Threads Magazine
BusinessWeek Magazine
Malissa Dress Contest
BurdaStyle – Featured Member Sewing Room
BurdaStyle – Featured Member
Cutting Edge Stitches & Seams 
September 15, 2007 at 2:51 am
Hello! My name is Kristin Rose and I am very interested in writing an article about you and your crafts at Associated Content. If you are interested in doing the interview, please let me know as soon as possible and I will email over a list of questions. I will let you know as soon as the interview goes public, so that you can share the link with anyone you would like.
Thank you for your time!
Kristin Rose
March 5, 2008 at 3:07 pm
🙂
August 21, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Just looking for other bloggers to be inspired by and add as a link to my site. Haven’t gone through your whole blog yet but like what I have read so far. Keep on blogging.
September 11, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Love your work, it’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing, you’re an inspiration. 🙂
November 28, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hi,
I maintain “Sewing Stash” — a directory of sewing and crafts sites. We have a category for forums and blogs and I’m pleased to have included your site in the list (http://www.sewing-stash.com/pages/Forums_Blogs/more2.html).
I’d be grateful if you could pass by “Sewing Stash (http://www.sewing-stash.com) and give it a look. If you have any suggestions for improvements — or if you’d like to modify or enhance your site description (up to 500 characters) — I’m all ears!
If you feel it’s worthy, I’d love to be added to your link list of useful sewing/crafts sites. If you’d like to include it, my link details are:
Title: Sewing Stash
URL: http://www.sewing-stash.com
Desc: Sewing and Crafts Directory
Many thanks for your time!
Joey Robichaux
January 21, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Hello Mirela!
This email is just to let you know that there’s a new design + sewing
magazine on the horizon called MODERN SEAMSTER. Focusing on sewing, style, and culture, we report on everything the needle touches. The magazine is highly inspirational for both the home sewer and aspiring fashion designers.
Currently, our first issue is free online as downloadable PDF. Click here to go http://www.modernseamster.com
We are a quarterly magazine and our next issue is due around March, with themes on fertility, sexuality, and nature. June is our Sixties issue. December is the Edwardian.
Feel to contact us anytime as we always need contributors, writers, and advertisers.
Sincerely,
Devi B.-Luna
founder and editor-in-chief
http://www.modernseamster.com
February 18, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Hi, I love the yoga pants pattern. I can’t seem to find the pattern to purchase it. Please help!!
May 12, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Waw! so many coincidences, we do have a lot in common! Really nice of you to say hello and I’m so happy to meet you.
How’s work in beautiful Bavaria? It sounds beautiful indeed.
Well…hi from the sunshine state!
Mirela
May 15, 2009 at 1:57 am
Mirela,
If you want to add Facebook or email sharing buttons to your blog posts, there’s a plugin that does it for you: http://tinyurl.com/sharebuttons
Hope you find it helpful!
Cheers,
Brody
June 8, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Hello Hello!
It’s here, the release of Modern Seamster issue #2. It’s been a long road to get here but it was worth it because this issue is packed with all sorts of goodies . . . and the best part? It’s free!! Again!!! http://www.modernseamster.com
Highlights include:
* Bootleg album recreation of The Flying Burrito Brothers and their 1969 album The Gilded Palace of Sin, modeled by SF band The Trainwreck Riders
* Exclusive interview with Manuel Cuevas, master tailor to the music stars!
* History on the Rhinestone Cowboy himself, Nudie Cohn
* Scotty the Blue Bunny + Christine Jonson share spandex secrets
* Agent Sewandso goes to Furcon in San Jose!
* Greeensleeves: Eco Options for the Modern Day Woman
* Mrs. Pinkingshears
* Sewing inspired tattoos
* . . . and so much more!
This week we’ll be posting a donation button on the website. In the meantime, you can use the donation button on our MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/modernseamster. We appreciate any donation–even just $1!
If you’re in San Francisco Bay Area, we’ll be having a release party at Velo Rouge June 17th; tabling at Renegade Craft Fair SF in July 18-19th; and hosting a HUGE fundraising party so stay tuned. We want to go to print with our Sixties Issue! Help us reach that goal.
Big Huge Besos,
Devi B.-Luna
Editor-in-Chief + Publisher
http://www.modernseamster.com
http://www.myspace.com/modernseamster
http://www.twitter.com/ModernSeamster
http://www.facebook.com/modernseamster
SEWING. STYLE. CULTURE
June 13, 2009 at 2:17 am
Dear Author of Cutting Edge Stitches & Seams
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The Feedmil Team
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August 31, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Hi Mirela,
I am planning to buy a new sewing machine. Which would you recommend?
August 31, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Hello Magdalena,
I had a Pfaff machine in Europe that I really liked, I’ve had Brother sewing machines here in the US, I would not recommend a Singer. I’m sure Huskqvarna also has great machines, so may Elna and Bernina, but I cannot say as I have not sewn on those ever.
Depends on what you need the machine for…There are about 3 or 4 major groups of prices/features with Brother. The simple ones range from 50-100$ http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4764723, the middle range would be around 200$ and would have more built in stitches, like some embroidery stitches for heilroom work CS 6000i http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4764726, CS 6000t, CS 8150. The pricier kind of Brothers can also embroider and convert from an embroidery machine to a sewing machine: HE120, SE350 http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8033273. Then there are those in the thousands which are just gems of machinary,embroider, quilt, etc…I never though they are that useful though and would probably just go for the middle range, have more utility stitches, but you would rarely use those anyways. Instead you could go for a simpler model and also get a serger, Brother http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=1723621
or Singer Quantumlock pricier…I had a Singer serger around 200$ and took it back to the store, did not like it at all.
So, I would choose Brother, they make printers, xerox machines and are better at fine machine parts then others…that is what i used, and others may object, and they might be right, I haven;t used that many brands to be able to compare them…so…think about how often you think you will use it and what exactly for…then decide on the price range and take it from there.
P.S. If you can get your hands on an oold sewing machine, the heavy metal ones that is still in good shape, I would go for it for bulkier fabrics such as jeans, leather, they do not fall apart as the computerized machine. The newer the machine the more plastic inside.
December 28, 2009 at 3:44 am
Hi Mirela,
I live in Australia and want to design some swimming coverups for myself as I have fair skin. I saw you wearing a knotted top on the Burdastyle website and thought it would be perfect. I have tried to find the pattern but have not be successful. Also I cant read german. Can you help me. Also I love your blogs.
Kind regards Bernice
February 28, 2010 at 9:04 am
I recommend Pfaff. There software is the most advanced and there machines can do things others can’t and the built in walking foot is something you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
March 1, 2010 at 1:22 pm
I would love a Pfaff too, used to have the iron heavy old ones back in Romania, they still can sew through anything.
February 16, 2012 at 11:43 am
Salut, MIrela!
Am dat de tine citind cartea BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook si uitandu-ma la toate pozele postate mi-a sarit in ochi numele tau. Azi te-am cautat pe google si te-am gasit! (Suna a stalker! 🙂 ).
Site-ul tau e minunat si d-abia astept sa-l rasfoiesc pe indelete. Eu sunt la inceput, multe idei, dar putine puse in practica.
Bafta in continuare si felicitari pentru realizarile de pana acum!!
Manuela
February 16, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Salut Manuela 🙂 you googled me?! waw, I’m flattered 🙂
Multumesc pentru complimente, cu site-ul sunt in urma bine cu proiectele, ideile si ce am cusut intre timp mi-o iau inainte. Tine-te de fiecare idee in parte pana o duci la capat, pe rand, ca altfel o sa ai ca si mine, multe chestii incepute si neterminate si prea multe in planurile de viitor.
Bafta si tie Manuela!
February 17, 2012 at 12:14 am
Dear Ms. Popovici,
My grandfather was Ben Raymond, owner of the fabric & trimmings store in Hollywood, FL. He recently passed away and I was googling his name for memories and came across your page. I was wondering if you had any more projects than the jacket with embroidery that used items from his store. My family would be very happy to see them if you still have them around. You do lovely work.
February 17, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Hello Monique,
I am so sorry to hear of his passing away, my sincere condolences. The store was indeed amazing and there is nothing like it around anymore. I had purchased the embroidered band for the jacket and a lot of stretch lace for lingerie, this is the only photo I have for a set made in blue lace: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/5202001.
The embroidered band I also used on a hat and a corset made out of the same fabric, I will try to photograph them and send you the pictures.
I remember your grandfather telling me stories about Hungary and the time he spent there during the war, he know a lot of Romanian words too, very funny bad words 🙂 He had a great sense of humor and obviously a passion for his business. He will be missed and so is the store.
Best regards, Mirela
September 5, 2015 at 9:43 pm
Mirela, you’re very creative and I appreciate the things that you do.