More than 4,500 users use the burda Foto Forum to display their latest creations. One such user is 20-year-old Eva Wenig (user name: para_noire) from Erfurt, Germany. She sewed the retro-look cape (our photo of the month for January) for her first collection. burdafashion.com talked with this talented young designer about her creative hobby:

When did you learn to sew??
About three years ago I began to teach myself to sew and to create my own patterns. In 2006 I also participated in a several-weeks' work experience program in the sewing department of a fashion firm, where I learned many helpful tricks and techniques.

How many garments do you sew in a year?
I hardly sew anything for myself. I would rather sew for friends or for customers of my own little fashion label, “ParaNoire Design”. I actually don't know how many pieces I sew a year – I guess somewhere between 50-100 garments. Of course, it depends on whether I sew a few large, complicated pieces or smaller, easier basic garments.

What do you like to sew best?
As far as time is concerned, I like to sew skirts because they go so fast! But I also occasionally like to sew complicated historical costumes – because of the impressive appearance – even if they do cost me lots of time and nerves. This summer I sewed a Victorian wedding ensemble of which I am quite proud!

Why is sewing special for you?
For me, the most special aspect of sewing is being able to turn something which started as an image in my mind into reality. It fascinates me to turn the image into a pattern and then into a finished garment – the only one of its kind in the whole world!

For which occasion did you sew the cape?
I made the cape for my first little collection that I sell in my online shop. I designed the pattern for it myself. For the photo shooting, we just went out on the field behind my parents' house because the weather was so lovely and the scene seemed to go well with the nostalgic look of the outfit.