iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

The upside of a fabric store closing, is that you can get the really expensive stuff for cheap. But I do wish they’d rather stay open…

A roll of heavily sequined black fabric made of stylised leaf-shaped yellow sequins, lying on top of large iridescent translucent sequins.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Creating this armoured coat for We Will Rock You’s Killer Queen was one of those technical challenges that are fun to take on …. at the beginning that is! At the end I was ready to never see it again! 😂 But Nyassa Alberta looked radiant in it… so all is well.

A mannequin wearing a long floorlength silver synthetic leather coat. The coat looks like armour adorned with large chrome studs.

An actress wearing the coat at the premiere of the show. She is smiling and holding a bunch of red roses in her hand.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Amsterdam’s fabric stores have been steadily diminishing. And with the upcoming closure of Nanucci Tessuti, we’re now down to three OK-ish ones. Designer fabrics, bridal, liberty, and quality wool suiting will become unavailable here on August 1st. Leather and notions are already dead.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

I recently rediscovered these antique phantasmagorical postcards among my belongings. Years ago I fished these out of of an ephemera box on a Barcelona market. Aren’t they delightful? To stop me misplacing them again, I’ll get them framed today…

An Edwardian era photograph. The picture is double exposed, to give a ghostly illusion. A man is sitting at a table looking worried –probably mourning a beloved. The ghostly image of a woman stands behind him. Almost enveloping the man.

A Edwardian era photograph. The picture is double exposed, to give a ghostly illusion. A man is sitting at a table looking longingly up towards the ghostly image of a woman that stands behind him. Their eyes meet.

A Edwardian era photograph. The picture is double exposed, to give a ghostly illusion. A man is sitting at a table praying, his hands folded. The ghostly image of a woman stands behind him. Almost ready to touch the man.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Femke, my intern, finished her three layered ruff. She sewed it, and shaped it herself, by using rice starch and electric curling irons… #ruff #historicalcostuming #starched #patternsoffashion #molensteenkraag #sewing #handsewing

A pleated and starched ruff lying on a table.

A girls stands next to the historical ruff she made..

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

My intern made a three-layered ruff. And to continue the theme of Costuming In The Kitchen: I’ve starched it and am now baking it in my oven. (to activate the starch.) Thursday we’ll iron it, and then set it in its final pretty shape. #costuming #historicalcostume #garmentsewing #sewing

A white ruff, hanging loosely from an oven rack. The ruff is attached with four safety pins and suspended in an oven.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

We also made six headdresses (one mockup and five final ones.) After the mockup we decided to make them smaller so they would be more in proportion with the entire ensemble. All made by hand with just needle and thread, wire, paint, felt, and a little glue… #hatmaking #costume #showgirl #headpiece

A mockup of a headpiece on a wig stand. The skullcap is silver silk, there are large gold stars sticking out on wires in a burst pattern. Large white ostrich feathers cover the back

A gold skullcap with wires sticking out the top.

Five gold headpieces on wig stands on a table. The headpieces have gold glitter stars radiating out from the skullcap. White ostrich feathers cover the back.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Today is Premiere, so it’s okay to start sharing some of the stuff I made for Foxtrot. These are five of six identical showgirls costumes hanging in my workshop. This was right before we put the garters on and ironed hundreds of gold stars all over them... #costume #sewing #corset #garmentsewing

Five gold corset dresses hang from a railing. The bottom skirt is made of light gold organza.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

So I moved house… and now that I have a big kitchen, I’m cooking up a nice batch of dyed laces. My trick: always have a wetted sample piece of the garment fabric to match it to. And before you remove it, test a small cut off piece, by rinsing and drying with an iron… Perfection!

A hand is pulling some dyed laces out of a boiling cooking pot. And holding it up to a scrap of wetted fabric. The colours are almost identical.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

So I picked this up, and it was an enjoyable read (especially while flying over Greenland.) However… I’m convinced the 2020 death of my friend Job Jacobus Kootte — attacked by a polar bear in Svalbard — was a big inspiration. Not mad about it, but would really love to have confirmation… @tomhindle

A hand holding up the book Death In The Arctic by Tom Hindle

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Amsterdam is celebrating its 750th anniversary, and today they closed the main freeway and turned it into a 15 kilometre long pedestrian-only festival. The day was scorching, but unique. A city is just so much more relaxed with less cars around… (With @basilok.bsky.social )

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Okay, I admit: I don’t know exactly WHAT liquidators do to the companies they acquire, but I suspect it’s not something that is beneficial to the business, or to the consumers of said company’s products. Correct me if I’m wrong… It feel like the hits keep coming!

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

After just over fifty hours squeezed into four long days, this dress is now almost done! But now I singlehandedly need to make five more... 😭 At moment’s such as these I’m overthinking my life choices… #hadestown #persephone #sewing #garmentsewing #costume #theatercostume #stress #dressmaking 🧶

A black dress on a mannequin, the body is made of pleated lace.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Look at these fabulous pics of Milan in my all-leather Death costume for the Elizabeth (Sisi) show. I’m rather chuffed with them! Not bad, for a gifted self- taught amateur! ❤️ 🧵🪡🧶 #costume #theatercostume #leather #airbrush #tailoring #patterndrafting #coat #waistcoat #custom #sewing #leatherwork

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

I just love piling different stuff together. An audience may not see the individual parts, but they sense the richness of it… Here I’ve taken: leftover rhinestones, rivets, foiled- and sequined fabric, and added plastic necklaces from the party store… Cheap – but looks expensive. 🧶 #sewing #costume

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

I can finally share my Edna Turnblad’s Hairspray poster dress! Promotional looks like the are made months before we start work on the actual show, so they’re always mocked up a bit. But I’m happy with the result, and the wigmaker did well! 😍 #costume #sewing #drag #hairspray #theater #musical 🧶🪡🧵

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Operation: Hyper-pads is done! This Joost Klein Eurovision inspired piece was a fun build. There wasn’t time for a fitting, but I’ve built so much for Richard over the years, that this was no problem. All patterned and constructed by me… #sewing #tailoring #chainstitch #costume #garmentsewing 🧶🪡🧵

A man standing in front of a wall in a blue suit with extremely exaggerated shoulders.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

So, I just constructed the largest shoulder pad of my entire career. Look at it!!! 🪡🧵🧶 #garmensewing #sewing #tailoring #shoulderpads #theatercostume #costume #costumier #toile #mockup #muslin

A mannequin wearing a large cotton mockup of a jacket with extremely large pointy shoulder pads pinned on top.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Well I did it again: I located a nice 130 year old chainstitch embroidery machine over in Belgium (Cornely K.) I keep snapping these rare beauties up, because I’m one of the few people that still embroider on them… Once restored it will live in my home workshop. ❤️🧶 #embroidery #bonnaz #cornely

A black and white photograph of an antique embroidery machine lying on it’s side on a movers blanket in the back of a car.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Occasionally I read these stories of reclusive people who’s skin has literally fused to their own beds. And on some days… that don’t sound too bad! #goals #thoughtfortheday

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

“Sir, you alright?” I ask, shaking the junky’s shoulder: passed out, head back, mouth agape, stiff under touch. So I think: this guy is dead! (My CPR training rushing back.) Then suddenly - his eyes flutter, he groans, sighs - and farts… Something something never unpunished something. #amsterdam

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Today on the cutting table: I finished the three piece all leather outfit for Death (Elizabeth.) Patterned, constructed and airbrushed all by me… This was a real challenge, now I have to do the whole thing over again for the understudy! Aaaaah!!! 😳 🧶 #costume #sewing #tailoring #craftmanship

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Today is the day I’ve been slightly dreading. I’m going to airbrush a floor length leather coat. But I haven’t touched an airbrush in… well - EVER! Crazy!!! But hey, we never improve if we don’t challenge ourselves! But my test piece came out well… YOLO! 😁🧶🧵🪡 #costume #sewing

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Today on the cutting table. I’m quilting stretch goatskin. It will become the part of a costume for the role of Death… 💀 🪡🧵🧶 #garmentsewing #tailoring #stretchleather #leather #theatercostume #quilting #costume #sewing

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Pfew! At least the jacket is finished! I like the chaotic lacing/eyelet combo. Got a bit tired with the old fashioned symmetrical approach… 🧶 #cyrano #garmentsewing #theatercostume #denim #selfdrafted #lacing #costume #sewing #jacket

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

I knew a lot of this, but it was still eye-opening. Worth your time….

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

While I’m sewing away today, I think I’ll listen to my favourite post-apocalyptic novel. Seems the season for it… #booksky #johnwyndham #triffids #postapocalypse youtu.be/i0x845GWExc?...

youtu.be

The Day of the Triffids (2004) by John Wyndham, read by Roger May

YouTube video by Mystical Magpie

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Please American film and TV makers, I’m begging you: Dutch people are NOT German speakers standing next to a windmill holding a cheese! We have our own language and our own culture. We’ve never worn lederhosen, we’ve retired the lace cap, and wooden shoes are souvenirs for tourists… #goingdutch

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Morning Bluesky! Today, in my quiet corner of this mad world: Edna’s hairspray dress is finalised for the first fitting. And while I wait for that, I’ll remember to breathe – and will move on to Cyrano de Bergerac. Hang in there! ❤️ #garmentsewing #costume #theatercostume #sewing #dressmaking 🧶

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Today in the workshop: I dusted off my Cornely FD for some appliqué work. Hard to film and steer at the same time, but fun to do! 🧶 #garmentsewing #costume #chainstitch #cornely #costume #machineembroidery #theatercostume.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Need a little uplifting today? Check this twelve minute docu-film out. Don’t be fooled by the title! This is a surprisingly touching - and often humorous - portrait of a charming couple that bought their dream home, a house that just happened to have a bit of a history… 👍 youtu.be/gH4czqraTUc?...

youtu.be

We Live in a Serial Killer's House

YouTube video by The Atlantic

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Skilled craftsmanship is the end result of self-therapy that got out of control. Making with our hands is therapeutic – so build something! Fail, learn, try, grow! If you turn a nice pot, or crochet a nice cardigan you are less likely to get sucked into depression - or a fascist death cult. 🧶🪡🎨

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Today on the cutting table: the voluptuous Edna Turnblad, for the upcoming national tour tour of Hairspray. This here will be the poster dress… #garmentsewing #costume #theatercostume #hairspray #patterndrafting #sewing #drag

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

I’m posting some goodies from my library of rare sewing books. Today I’ve chosen this lovely ladies coat with a - striking - pelerine. (June 1930) It comes from bound Rudolph Maurer magazines that I picked from a pile of books in Prague. Fab! 🧶 #garmentsewing #sewingpattern #vintagefashion

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Yesterday, we danced on the edge of the volcano and celebrated my sweet husband’s 50th birthday. (@basilok.bsky.social) The party seemed to lift all attendants spirits - my own included. And I felt hope again. So my advise for the coming period is this: when life becomes hard - party harder! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

It literally pains me to see Lightlark talked about a lot on #booksky, but the - IMHO far superior - Larklight, seems almost forgotten. Sure they are very different book, for different age groups. But come on now bookskyers! Great books deserve readers! You’ll love it! Huzzah! #Lightlark #Larklight

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Here’s a sped up video of me embroidering the letter ‘D’ on my chainstitch machine. These machines are hand guided with a crank underneath the table. They are 19th century technology, and I love them. No digitising, and no framing of the material. If it fits under the arm you can embroider it! ❤️🧶

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

I’ve been sewing for thirty years, so you’d think I would have enough experience to grow out of the: “Oh sure! I can sew this up in three/four hours!!” Fifteen hours later – still not done… 🙄😭 🪡🧵🧶

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Reposted by Stefan makes things.

Billie Jean Sweeney @billiejsweeney.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

A former nyt co colleague pubbed a very powerful account of deep anti-trans bias at the nyt this morn. She did so with great bravery and honesty. Please read for the inside story of how the nyt silences trans employees as it pursues its biased coverage. (Also, please note Carly’s content warnings)

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Hurray 100 followers! Thank you lovely people (and some bots but whatevs!) The unthrottled engagement on this platform has been a breath of fresh air so far. Let’s all keep it up, creative, and - most of all - friendly! ❤️ ❤️❤️ #bluesky #ijustthinkitsneat #ijustthinktheyreneat #newsocialmedia

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

I’ve been seeing more pussybow blouses for men recently, so I made my own. I ❤️ how the one strap accidentally matches up with the pattern of the shirt - and visually disappears. I wore it to see Sigourney Weaver in The Tempest. Some people stared. #IDGAF #sewing #garmentsewing #patterndrafting

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Today on the cutting table: the fabric from Hell… Pattern matching is already difficult enough with any plaid, but one where the printed stripes are offset to the woven stripes? Diabolical!!! 😈 😭 #garmentsewing #ineedadrink #sewing #costume

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Claire Shaeffer has passed.. We never met, but I owe her my gratitude. Her ‘Couture Sewing Techniques’ book 👍 is unique, and taught me unusual tricks - like incrustations (inserting one fabric into another.) She love couture sewing, and revealed it’s secrets. Thank you Claire! Needle down… 🖤🪡🧵🧶

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Heartbreaking! Hey, but at least Zuckerberg made an extra buck… #dumpmeta

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Well I’m on Pixelfed, I can’t upload my Instagram on Pixelfed.social as my husband can who is on gram.social. And while he can see my profile and my pictures, his profile is completely empty for me. But it’s not bad, it does look promising… pixelfed.social/stefanmakes

pixelfed.social

Stefan Alexander Leenaars (@stefanmakes@pixelfed.social)

2 Posts, 2 Following, 2 Followers · I sit behind a sewing machine… Sometimes a laptop.Based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Hey Bluesky, this is me in my Amsterdam workshop! This old classroom is the place where I build costumes, tailor suits, sew dresses, and craft hats - mostly for theater. I often post my work, and process - sometimes other stuff. Glad to be here! 🧵🪡🧶 #garmentsewing #sewing #costume #hatmaking

A male person in a sewing workshop. He is sitting on a cutting table. In the back are sewing machines, fabrics and other materials.

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Stefan makes things. @stefanmakesthings.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Two days ago I announced I was leaving META in a FB group. There were well over 150 comments, but only one made the tired ‘it’s not an airport, you don’t have to announce your departure!’ quip. That says something to me… People are shooketh! #costumenetworkinggroup

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