Treasure Hunt #5

Make your own designer clothes

Article

July 2026

In Treasure Hunt, we share the treasures we find in, around and far beyond the editorial office: from ingenious objects and beautiful invitations to lines of poetry or something wondrous from nature. Anything goes, as long as it leaves us a little enchanted. Today: a new do-it-yourself fashion magazine.

text: Sarah Knigge

Fig 1. Shopwork Magazine

Somewhere between the racks of fast fashion, we lost our understanding of how clothes are made, Anke Hofstra says. ‘It’s as if we started to believe garments come from machines. That fashion is automated, effortless. But it isn’t. Sewing machines don’t operate themselves. Every piece of clothing we wear has passed through human hands.’ But what happens when we start using our own hands? How does that change the way we value fabric, cut and silhouette?

Hofstra invites you to find out for yourself. She launched Shopwork magazine, an entirely new print publication dedicated to the craft of clothing. A joy for paper lovers, it is beautifully designed and ingeniously conceived, bringing together three distinct elements that show how a designer-worthy wardrobe can take shape in your own hands. This first edition was created in collaboration with Amsterdam-based fashion label Martan.

The magazine features interviews with Martan’s designers, explores fabrics and sewing techniques, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how a fashion collection comes to life. Then it’s your turn. Unfold the full-scale pattern sheets and follow the comprehensive instructions to make ten original Martan designs, from the more accessible Sikko Vest and Emma Top to the more advanced Tina Blouse and Paulina Blazer. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewist, Shopwork is for all. Hofstra: ‘Trust your hands.’