The Flughafen was one of the very first upcycled styles that I started making in 2017, and the very first sew-at-home pattern that I released in 2021. I love this design and still wear it weekly- all these years later! On account of it turning 8 this year, an entirely random number with no significance at all, I thought it was time for me to write a little love letter for the Flughafen. If you speak German, you're already tired of me saying airport over and over without any context.
This is a question I am asked a lot- Flughafen means "airport" in German. It is one of my favorite German words, learned when I lived in Bavaria for a few years in my early adulthood, and perfect for this top style, because it is an ideal piece to wear while traveling.
Reasons I love my Flugs for travel:
- All of my documents- boarding pass & passport fit securely in the large front pocket, eliminating the tiny panic I used to experience of "where are they, did I remember??"
- It is light enough to easily carry on a warm day of walking and touring, and can be put on to protect your shoulders from the sun
- The perfect light layer to put in when entering a chilly air conditioned museum or restaurant, or a spiritual space where bare shoulders are not welcomed
- I can fit my phone and wallet in the pockets, which frees me up from needing to carry a bag everywhere I go - - though I usually fold a small tote into the pocket as well, to hold the trinkets and pastries that I'm sure to collect along the way
The Flughafen is made from a second hand button up shirt + 1/2 yard- 1 yard of contrast fabric. No special notions are required.
It has two large pockets, placed either high on the chest, or low on the waist. It has pieced together double sided cuffs that can be worn straight down or folded up, and the bottom hem is finished with a stright-grain hem tape made from your contrast fabric.
When sewing your own, you can really get creative with color combos in your pockets & cuffs. You can even piece fabric together for the side panels like I did for this one:
Here are a few Flughafens sewn by the Flux Bene team over the years:
Atiya in the first ever Flux Bene photoshoot, 2017 : )
Keithlee in a 2021 version
Cuties having fun at our flower picnic last August. Photo by Cassidy Finch / @cass_finch
Three Rivers Arts Fest customer, 2024
More picnic cuties. Flughafen on left, Park Frock on the right. Photo by Cassidy Finch / @cass_finch
From our Flying Geese Series, 2021
Sweet friend carving stamps in her Flug, 2022
The most recent photo of me wearing mine, with Lindsay in her garden September
And here are a few that creative folks like you have made using our pattern!
Hand stitched pocket details!
Vintage fabric
Toddler Flug!
Pink & dots
And some reviews we have received from people who have used the pattern:
It makes me very happy to know that so many Flughafen Tops are bopping around the world, and I absolutely LOVE knowing that each one of them is unique and has kept an old shirt out of a landfill.
The pattern includes 3 pocket variations + 3 cuff variations + the option to add side panels. This is an extremely beginner friendly garment sewing project. Because you are starting with a second hand shirt, you get to sew all of the fun creative parts without needing the expertise to make a button placket, set a sleeve, etc. It really is a great sewing ego boost.
I would love to see the Flughafen that you create!!
Thank you all for choosing to dress consciously. Whether you are making your own Flughafen, or adopting one that we made, your support of this small recycling project means the world to us.
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Happy sewing!
