This is not the first time I use a furnishing fabric to make a piece of clothing. The baroque vest was the first attempt. I think the upholstery are heavier, richer and often less expensive than apparel fabrics. Aesthetically they are very beautiful, but not very comfortable. They are thick but not warm, heavy but not stretch. Resistent and beautiful, but cold and rigid. Read more
The inspiration of my today’s hoodie are the silver lace trainers seen during the lastest Chanel fashion show. I wanted to be Karl for a day and combine an extravagant fabric to a casual outfit. This is why I use pink lance for a hoodie. Read more
What I also like about upcycling is, that sometimes we only need to change a tiny detail to get a very different result. Today’s refashion is part of this category, unspectacular but effective. It took me a couple of hours to figure it out but it added years to my sweater lifetime. Read more
A few weeks ago I was finishing my first hoodie with raglan sleeves that I hope be able to show you soon. At the same time a reader asked me how to transform a basic sleeve into a raglan one. I took this opportunity to write a tutorial on how to draft a made-to-measure pattern for this type of sleeve. Read more
The most wonderful and in the same time annoying aspect of sewing as a hobby consists in its practical and universal side. You can sew everything: curtains, underwear, clothes for dog, dresses for Barbie, fancy costume for children, bibs, lampshades …. But, by a strange coincidence, the seamstress’ friends and relatives are very much productive when it comes to imagine projects of sewing. Yes, you can do anything, but do you want to try everything? It’s like saying to someone who learns to write that he or she might try calligraphy afterwords. Read more
What’s hiding behind this name? Several trade-shows such as “Premiere Classe”, “The Box” and “Don’t believe the hype.” Still not clear for you? I agree, so let me explain. A few weeks ago, during Paris Fashion Week, I had the opportunity to visit the trade-show “Paris sur Mode” which includes several hundred French and international brands of clothes and fashion accessories. An opportunity for buyers to bet on fashion designers. Read more
The waistcoat is a piece of cloth that we see less and lesser these days. I’m talking here about its classic version and not about a sleeveless blazer or a sport jacket. No, I’m thinking of short, fit, front-buttoned vest. This garnment is spinned off from men wardrobe. It is supposed to keep warm under a jacket and leave us room to move freely. Read more
Either you have a made-to-measure pattern or a purchased one, you might need to apply the shawl collar on your coat or jacket. I will explain here the constructing of the shawl collar when you have a back neck facing. Read more
As usual, it all began with a fabric fairy … I found this black woolen so sweet and skilfully embroidered, thick and airy at the same time. A rich fabric that requires a simple cut. I made a straight skirt, using the selvage as bottom hem. I used a velvet ribbon for the belt and the sides. Read more
In thrift stores you can find wonderful clothes. You only need to rummage through thousand piles and hangers and not be too precise in what are you looking for. Call it «serendipity mood» or the hunger for making unespected discoveries. Read more