Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Ce n'est pas bon de faire du lèche-vitrines avec de l'argent en poche

[botemp]

Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset and lots of chatter in between. Feel free to join in

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Favoured Parisian addresses:

Second Hand Shops

Outlets

Favoured London addresses:

Charity Shops, Dress Agencies, and Outlets

Favoured NYC addresses:

Consignment shops, Vintage, and Restaurants

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Previous threads:


Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

Sept

Huit

Neuf

Dix

Merch in celebration of our tenth (previous) thread:

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet shop

[botemp]

Sew close yet so far...

Made it just in time:

new thread

[XingMing]

We are getting sew close to the end of this thread.... sorry, I couldn't resist .

That's a lovely story about your ID card Bani, and well done with the top: are those the trousers you made too?

Flo, by the time you find the pattern you want, life will have moved along.... or it would if it were me!

[Floisme]

Love that story bani I once lost a credit card in a football stadium and it was handed in and returned to me. (The club had my details.)

'Sewist' still feels like a level of expertise above me. It's not quite an 'ologist' but it's too close for comfort. (Google 'You've got an ology' if you don't know British 80s tv ads.) Excuse my pedantry - I'm interested in words.

My Camber top is coming along at a glacial pace. I unpicked one of the sleeves four times because I couldn't stop the 'tucks' or get the seams to line up. In the end I had to stop as the fabric was starting to look crumbly, Still I'm quite impressed at my tenacity - the young me would have said, 'Nah, that'll do.' But then the young me was happy with sleeveless.

I'm also starting to feel grumpy because, even if it turned out perfectly, it still wouldn't be the garment I actually want to make. What I really want is a short-ish, boxy cut linen shirt but I'm not good enough yet and besides I still haven't found the right pattern.

[banivani]

Oops picture of my tshirt. Also meant to tell you that in lieu of the Uniqlo shirt dress I bought this one from part two www.parttwo.com/sv-se/buckhorn-brown-barbettespw-dress-30305059-33153 but boringly in black - still not sure it was the right choice colour but it’s a useable one. The fit is good, much better for me than the Uniqlo one and a better length too.

[banivani]

After having a think I agree that seamstress sounds professional, and so does dressmaker. So sewist it is ;)

I haven’t been thinking about it that long though I was making a t-shirt out of the House of Pinheiro sewing book I borrowed from the library on a whim. Pic attached - it’s actually surprisingly wearable and I learned a lot. I’ve also spent about two days scouring the Internet for special presser feet for my old sewing machine only to find I had them all along I’d just put them away when I bought the machine and never used them.

Am now set to make a shirred camisole top for my daughter

Fun story - I returned the Uniqlo dress, remember? Later I discovered my ID and bank card we’re missing. You see where this is going...well today I got an email from a lovely woman in France who had found them in her parcel! I have an unusual name and after some googling she found me So sweet of her!!!

[botemp]

Hello again Name those Celine fabrics do look nice but a bit spendy for viscose. I'm on the lookout for coating wool, any good (online) shop suggestions?

I'm still struggling with my camisole dress. Was ready to toss it out yesterday evening but figured out this morning it can be drastically improved by taking even more cms out, I've taken out 2 previously and now another 3 on each side but it means I'm going to have to rip out some seams and go a few steps back. It's weirdly puckering on the side seams though and I'm not sure why. When I Google the solution seems to be cut it on the bias (already did that), walking foot (already got that), or use tissue paper (already do). Maybe I didn't cut it on the bias accurately enough? I did see it recommended by Americans to use a tiny zig zag stitch instead of straight with bias cuts, but I don't have one small enough and it doesn't work with tissue underneath and it goes everywhere without tissue paper underneath.



Still think it's only ever going to be worn as nightwear with the way it is looking but at least I won't be too embarrassed by it...

[ThisNameIsDifferentFromTheLast]

I've been very bad at following for the last few weeks, but Bo and Bani, your sewing looks fabulous.

I'm going to read through and catch up but just wanted to let you know about this Celine fabric It's only a viscose, but still looks perfect for a blouse.

www.selvedgeandbolts.com/collections/new-arrivals

[botemp]

That's the mock up (toile) made out of some old curtains and string. That was easy to assemble, in slippy silk, not as easy. I do like the red straps with white too but the silk I'm working with is black, and red and black always feels a bit teenage (amateur) dramatics society to me...

Yes, I don't mind a too big shirt, but I figured I might find a size down (this was two sizes up) online, it may very well be I end up preferring this size just for the relaxed feel of it (and ability to tie up). Yes, trousers are mine (from my ridiculously vast silk trousers collection) I've had them forever, they're also slightly big but they work worn a little too low and are ridiculously comfy. Think I bought them on the Outnet when that was still interesting. Or maybe it was in the last dredges of a Net A Porter sale? I've forgotten the brand, something random anyhow.

[Redandblue11]

off odd gem

[Redandblue11]

Half decent? That is bloody brilliant Bo!
I also like the choice of straps you used.
The sprit shirt is great, are those your own trousers? I really like the whole look. I know the shirt is slightly big but I think looks great that ‘boyfriend’ fit at least from the photo.
I have a very similar bra in soft pink. I got it years ago from Victoria secrets (I know) but actually they have been the best strapless for me as are really soft and the shape is quite good. But I have to admit that years ago that VS doesn’t have decent stuff anymore, not sure if it ever did and those were the off gem.
Bastille Day!

[botemp]

Ooh and lest we forget, in honour of le quatorze juillet today.

And another huzzah, my Joseph trousers should arrive tomorrow and NAP even gave me a gift card to apologise for it taking so long, so I'm back to stalking their site again for something of use. Maybe beauty, hopefully some summer shoes...

[botemp]

Where are we on dressmaker? Is it American? I think it somewhat implies hobbyist that could do some commissions from home but not really considered a professional?

I decided to be brave and just go for it with sewing slippy fabric on the bias with darts (also not recommended for beginners). I'm managing even though it's driving me mad as the straight lines all warp due to the fabric but I think since I do a lot of handsewing and work with basting lines (as opposed to a pattern and relying on the seam allowance as guides) it's turning into something half decent.

I went with the camisole dress, pic is of the camisole version toile. I figured if I stuffed it up I can still cut it in half and make (the original intention) of camisole with sleep shorts.

Unfortunately, the dress is coming up a bit big, as it was stressed to tack on a few cms for bias cuts but I have to take those off again now that it's getting closer to getting finished (I'm about 2/3rds in but I'm past the most difficult construction part of getting the cups sitting even on the front, and sharply so).

Came across this linnen shirt at Esprit (came looking for a boob tube of sorts to wear under things). Not my size (bit too wide on the shoulders) but quite liked it, especially the button details.

Also went to look at Chantelle bras for under halter tops/t straps from their soft stretch collection. They only had the t-strap bralette in and it was amazingly comfy but unfortunately it gave me pancake boobs and felt a little too big (it's one size fits all but that seems to be s-xl). They didn't have the strapless bralette in store but they're ordering it in, at least that is padded, 🤞it's super comfy too. Although I'm going to have to wait a bit as there's been a bit of a drastic uptake in Covid19 cases in Belgium for the last couple of days since we came back (not surprised at all, they were terrible with following any sort of protocol) so we're self isolating until next week, just in case.

[quirkychick]

Be careful how you pronounce sewer . I agree with Xing seamstress implies a professional level of proficiency and skill.

I have dug out my old, navy jumpsuit today, which I was wondering whether to keep or not. It is comfortable, I do like the style with a drapey cross over top, but the viscose jersey is flimsy, the knees bag and the top is so low cut it needs something underneath. It has been fine for a day like today: school run, long walk, chores at home. I think I will keep it until it looks too tatty, which won't be long and maybe next year look for a replacement.

[XingMing]

There's probably not a positive word for people who sew for enjoyment just because sewing was such a basic skill all girls were expected to acquire. I have a family sampler dated 1824. and it's not a fancy one, but an 11 year old made it to demonstrate competence with a needle which was probably a precursor to getting a job in household service then. But basic sewing skills would not have made a person a seamstress, which would have been a professional skill level -- as I understand it.

[banivani]

Maybe sewists on sewing bee. I am of the opinion that seamstress should be used as a gender neutral word. In Sweden the word for nurse is feminine but accepted as unisex now. We need to get rid of the idea that only male words are neutral!

Bo was referring to the green dress above in your post from 8/7 12.24 did you not say it’s too big? Or was that the Nobel one? I can’t really tell if it is too big from the pictures, am taking your word for it, if Nobel was your only concern you should have bought it for thre colour alone What was your OG plan for the black fabric?

The camisole fabric is beautiful isn’t it? It’s the blouse I refashioned. 70/30 cotton/silk. I bought it from a mail order company ten or more years ago for the fabric alone.

I think the “recipe” is dead serious which is why it’s so funny! Imagine never having whipped cream!!!

[botemp]

The internet suggests we're indeed foul water containers...

[Floisme]

I can't stop long but I am fascinated to think that the English language might not have a word for people who like sewing

What did they call them on Sewing Bee? Did they say sewers but pronounced as in sewing?

[botemp]

Hmm, maybe sewing enthusiast (there probably are sewer enthusiasts out there too )

Yes, defffo avoid sisal and seagrass (if it's the same in English) for stairs, aside from the cat, they're uncomfortable on bare feet and after a few years they wear away to a point they're very slippery and become lethal. That's an issue with a lot of natural fibre options, though, unfortunately.

Have I missed a green dress with too much fabric? Or is it the one on the mannequin?

Yeah, I might end up taking the jumpsuit to a professional, there's a blind zipper and pleated seam involved, if I have to open those up to get good access to alter it, it's probably beyond my skill set.

Ehm that recipe, is it tongue in cheek or is everyone on there deadly serious There's such a thing as frozen whipped cream I know cool whip is a (very questionable) thing in the US but it's not whipped cream, I think. I thought everyone usually started off whipping cream as a child to go with strawberries, at least one of the first things you're allowed to do (almost) on your own...

I like the fabric of your camisole, Bani, is this what you're picking up locally? Everything seems to be cutesy wootsy for babies here

I'm stuck with sewing, I was going to work with the electric blue silk yesterday only to remember I need special thread that I can't buy locally so put in an order but they sent the wrong colour. I also bought black thread for the black fabric but I haven't really decided what to do with it yet. Turns out it was mismarked and it's a little over two metres long (rather than 1m30) so I have to dream bigger with it. Dress makes the most sense but I'm not a fan of that much shine as it looks a bit party wear and makes everything round more emphasised. The back is matte with a hint of sheen though so I could utilise that, but it seems a waste of lovely shiny fabric, now contemplating something I could potentially incorporate both into? I could do the brown toile dress, but I really liked the brown and I think some of the details would disappear in all the black. I still have the toile of the Haider Ackermann camisole I ripped off which I also made into a dress variation, but that's on the bias and probably not sensible to dable with slippy silk and sewing on the bias all at once 😬

[XingMing]

Seamstress would be the professional so I guess it should could fit a proficient amateur to. It would be a bit excessive to apply it to my sewing level, but a sewer is a method of carrying away foul water! I've seen sewist used too.

[Redandblue11]

Sewer?!!!
I mean person who does sewing ... what is the English word?? I apologise profusely

[Redandblue11]

You virtuoso sewer! Love the print of that Bani

[Redandblue11]

thanks Bani that seems to be the consensus

[banivani]

Oh forgot - I have no help to offer re ropes and cats apart from don’t do it 😬 based on my sister’s cat 😉

[banivani]

I keep going back to look at that green dress and feeling annoyed that they ruined it with the extra fabric 😭 I’ve also been re-looking at the silk jumpsuit and it’s really good isn’t it? Hope you can fix the straps - I want to do something similar to a jersey dress but it’s harder than I thought because they gradually widen, so I can’t just fold over and sew a seam across. And I’m not so keen on unpicking jersey hems and cutting them down 😒

Picture of my finished camisole attached. I found a super tutorial on narrow hems on YouTube. Did a pretty good job on the back minus some problems with the tension (fabric is so thin). Promptly then did it backwards on the front 🙄 That’s a true sewing bee fail if ever there was one! I had to wing the finish a bit then. However I did the front in a slight curve and I don’t really like it. It feels dowdy. Otoh I was planning it as a sleep garment so...

[Redandblue11]

It was good to see Antwerp photos!
The green dress is lovely and that rope belt great too.

I am considering relaying carpet on the stairs , the only place we have carpet as the rest is wooden floors. I am thinking that a runner would be better and nicer , there are some lovely ones with a material very much like ropes (talking about ropes reminded me), but my worry is that as they tend to have loops my feline pet will literally destroy it... just throwing this out here in case any of you have good tips !