People of ML. Interview with our customer Mona

Over the years, we have noticed that our customers are some of the most interesting and inspiring people. They always have the most creative ideas when it comes to decorating their homes, using our products or even styling their outfits. Ever since, we have started selling our linen scraps left from production processes, our customers' creativity has reached a new level - our customers now can make their own products! So, we wanted to share an interview with a customer named Mona who creates incredible linen blankets from linen scraps. 

What inspired you to work with linen scraps?

For me, linen remnants are like a surprise egg with enormous potential. You get something, but despite everything you have absolute freedom and uncertainty as to what might come out of it. Each remnant tells its own story and at the beginning, you never know what will it be in the end.

What drives you to repurpose scraps for your crafts projects, is it driven by sustainability goals?

For me, using leftovers is also a question of sustainability, yes. But not only. Rather, it's this absolute freedom of not knowing what's coming and then doing something with it that might not suit your comfort zone. Just buying a piece of fabric would be boring and would totally inhibit me to cut it up arbitrarily. I would always have the need to cut everything as space-saving as possible, and many shapes and patterns would not even emerge because you might never have dared to do it. So for me, working with scraps is not just a question of sustainability, but also of "getting involved in something". Giving up control and letting the fabric speak. This is incredibly fun, try it out!

If yes, why do you believe sustainability is important in creative endeavors?

Creativity touches people. And it does so - if you really can - very deeply from within. And we humans are only really ready to change something in our actions when we are touched. So if I manage to show people that thinking and acting sustainably is so beautiful, it won't stop anyone from doing the same. No more words, no more teaching and no more pressure. People will feel it and that will be the end of the matter.

How do you repurpose linen scraps in your projects?

I use linen scraps to create art in the form of patchwork quilts. I have no clue about patchwork. But I love to just do things and let them take their course. And that's what I love to do with linen scraps. Wildly puzzling, creating shapes and motifs without paying attention to straight seams. For me, it's absolute freedom.

What benefits do you find in using linen as a sustainable material?

It breathes, it lives, and it's never perfect. For me it's the absolutely perfect combination.

Have you encountered any challenges or discoveries while working with linen scraps?

Oh yes! :D I still do not understand how people manage to neaten the seams properly.

How do you inspire others to embrace sustainability in their creative pursuits?

By not asking for it. I just show how happy it can make you, how versatile it is and, most importantly, I talk about why it is important to me. And I just love to get people out of their comfort zone without forcing them.

Do you have any tips or advice for individuals interested in incorporating linen scraps or other sustainable materials in their projects?

Just start! Don't be afraid to do something wrong. Quite the opposite! Make mistakes, you will never learn so quickly and joyfully again. Perfection does not mean straight seams or exact cuts. Perfection means that something lives and forms a unit.

Do you share your knowledge and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices in their own lives?

Yes, on Instagram under halfbirdmona I take everyone with me through my creative doing, plugging in, telling and sharing my irrepressible joy in making. I am very excited to share my insights and hope that it moves many to just do something. Head off, hands on!

If you want to try creative products yourself, you can find various size and color linen scarps here.