Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: L'enfer c'est les Autres

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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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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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I have flashbacks from Burda, when I learned to sew it was the only thing available. It pretty much ruined me for ever wanting to pay out for a pattern (I may at some point buy a vintage vogue one but that'll be the exception).

Pfft Star Wars cosplay you stealth boaster it looks lovely. Definitely see the potential with the Petar Petrov dress even though I read it as you wanting to make it with a Peter Pan collar and me being initially.

I don't want to buy a overlocker, but a knitting machine... Always wanted one of those

Learning to sew with Burda would have left me scarred for life. Although the patterns are well drafted, the instructions are miserable and even thinking about tracing them gives me a migraine.

Don't let them put you off all patterns though. This may tempt you to try a pattern:

www.showstudio.com/projects/design-download

Not a stealth boast honest, I styled it originally with a wide brown leather belt, which did it no favours. Sans belt is much better, although breezy.

My sister had a knitting machine when we were younger, I remember it being a diva but would love to have a play with one now.

I’ve been trying to learn to sew for the past couple of years, but very sporadically. The main thing that puts me off is the high percentage of patterns (at least the widely advertised ones) that are - how to put this? - vintage in the worst way. The ones that look like you’re cos-playing the 1950s. Even the modern pattern companies are like here, behold my fit-and-flare dress!

Or else they’re rectangles. If I needed a rectangle I could buy one anywhere. I want to learn how to adjust for a bum and hips.

You made me laugh MaryLennox.

Thisname there is some fabulous stuff on the showstudio link! An eye opener.

As a child I learnt how to sew basic stuff, but I have always liked self-learning so I used to play and create all sorts with my cousin, for us and the dollies. Then I became more interested in the natural world so changed to create dresses for dolls made with leaves and flowers, obviously the creations where more ephemeral. Since then my thing has been gardens what I spend my “free time” on, but I keep thinking maybe in the winter when is nearly impossible to go out I will dust my sewing machine and try a cushion at least?
I have never planted many bulbs in my garden as I already have naturalised snowdrops and bluebells at the front, but I think I will add more this year as might be nice to create early drama in the garden for when we start to come out of the winter.

I love that Petar Petrov dress. That's the kind of look that could convince me to take up sewing. Those show studio patterns look amazing too.

MaryLennox - That made me laugh too. I totally know what you mean though while I'm not a sewer, most things I see are either super fitted on top or totally shapeless with no in between.

I did do a dress design course and I wish I'd stuck with it as that really got into the nitty gritty on drafting patterns and how to accommodate your particular measurements etc. Some day..

I had a look at that MH parka botemp. Thanks for the heads up. I'm not sure that if it has the liner. It's hard to tell from the pictures. I might ask, but I think I'm after something a little toastier and slightly more fitted.

I too am knit obsessed at the moment. It feels right just now. If I was buying anything it would be these skirts and the dress.

How have I not known about showstudios' pattern project? I've followed them for quite some time, albeit not very religiously. I might go mad and try the Simone Rocha skirt with some silk faille fabric. No idea where I'd wear it, maybe Christmas, just cause 🤷 I love the look of the McQueen dress and with different shoulders it would probably be quite wearable but it would probably need to be something with stretch (as noted before, I'm petrified of).

I agree Mary the home sewing patterns really don't inspire much but I think it's also partially a lack of imagination on my part to see the potential of a pattern, I'd never see a Petar Petrov dress in that Burda pattern for example. The French pattern companies seem to do more realistic clothes that aren't twee (can't recall them all but DP studio sticks in my mind and I think Name linked some good Australian ones and since it's all PDFs so not an issue where they are). But I'm still scarred by Burda and I also prefer the bespoke/couture approach as it's entirely based on my measurements and the method is more precise so you're just tweaking (which speaks to my perfectionist tendencies) rather than overhauling a pattern to fit you (which feels rather counter as I assume a lot of people get into sewing due to difficulty with fit in standard sizes) but I suppose you do need some extra (design) skills and the patience with toiles, etc.

Go for bulbs red, they're like a mandatory thing here but it's so easy and cheering, especially the ones that pop up very early in the season.

X-post with Elle why is that third model harassing the mirror

This popped up in my inbox this morning (effing stalkers) I have the same Joseph jumper in off white, I'm now thinking I need to make myself a white slip dress to go with it. I've already worn the black one with an oatmeal jumper similar to that one but the all tonal look is rather seductive. Although I'm really tempted by these colours too.

Sorry Elle, I wasn't suggesting the MH parka for you, I was just commenting that it was funny I came across a second hand one from MH when you're looking for a parka and red was asking about MH. The newer models are definitely different and not really the toasty sort.

I was looking at Mackage (had to look it up) last year as they're seriously toasty (but I worried maybe too toasty) being Canadian and a bit more interesting designs like this one and they cover bums and then some as well as coming with a lifetime warranty so seemed a good buy once type of deal. Standard MN choice is Dirdrikson of course

That's a very lovely coat by Mackage, bo. I really like the shape.

Ladies.

I am completely with you Mary, so much Betty Draper / mad men inspired sewing patterns, or clothes which are incredibly basic and only suitable for children TV presenters!

There are some good pattern companies out there though, although they won't be as beginner friendly as the indies. Tessuti, Style Arc and Named Clothing have lovely designs. The Sicily slip dress by Sewing Masin is lovely trimmed down to a top.

Just Patterns had a couple of bias cut patterns but they've removed them from sale due to a split in the business (covid related) which is a shame as the bias skirt was well drafted and constructed.

Looking at the photos posted by Elle and Bo makes me wish I suited roll necks, sigh. And I love that Mackage coat, it would be perfect in the wet weather here, although I'd probably boil alive as despite the rain it is very mild.

Red I'm planting bulbs for the first time this year. The snowdrops and bluebells must be stunning when in bloom.

That caramel skirt is lovely, Elle!

I actually tried to make a Named pattern for my first ever item, ThisName, and it was a disaster! It was the kielo wrap dress, and I wanted to make it out of heavy jersey but the stuff I ordered was a lot thinner than I expected. Then I couldn’t get my head round reducing the size for being a lot shorter than their model and then I couldn’t work out how to sew knits. Then I pressed it wrong and got an iron print halfway down the back so that was that! But they do have much better patterns than most places so perhaps I should try again. I still haven’t attempted knits though. I do need patterns that tell you how to do everything!

Named do draft for giants!

I'm 5ft4 and have to cut a significant amount off. People have made the kielo in woven fabrics, which would be a little less challenging than knit, although I'd say test run it first as it can be tight under the arms (and would need to be the sleeveless version).

Alternatively, In the Folds, Helen's Closet and Closet Core all have sew alongs for their patterns, they just don't have the same aesthetic as Named etc.

Thanks for that pic time - I know it was a while back but I did see it! I do like a bit of asymmetry.

I need to catch up with the thread but yeah I struggle to find patterns that are my style, which means so far I've stuck to Merchant and Mills and Makers Atelier. I think it was bani who said it's about learning to recognise the underlying shape but I'm struggling to get beyond the ditziness and exhaustingly cheerful faces.

And I find instructions as baffling as I did 30 years ago, although at least there's YouTube now as well.

Bani that video is seriously funny

And that mackage coat , wow I would love one like that . Me personally I don’t think it would be too much, from experience at being at a side hockey & football pitch whatever the weather. We have a Goldbergh jacket with hood for that, they normally do ski wear but the one I have is not ski is a parka and it has been a life saver. The shape is nice but not super lovely like the one Bo linked.

Hi ladies, sorry if this has already been covered but has anyone seen the new rouje autumn collection. Is it just me or does it not look as flattering as you would hope, even on those beautiful models? There’s a pink cardigan I like, also love the Florian dress. I was listing after the Florian jumpsuit earlier this year but thought that was too much of a gamble to order as it has to fit in so many different aspects. That seems to have gone now anyway. But just wondered if anyone had tried any of these items as there is something about it that keeps drawing me back despite my reservations!

Sorry Flores www.rouje.com/e-shop/categories/robes/robe-flores.html

www.rouje.com/e-shop/categories/maille/cardigan-philippe-blush.html
This is the cardigan which I think looks lovely. I think it could be flattering and the Flores dress too, despite what I said up thread about my general impression that much of the stuff possibly wasn’t. Maybe the idea is that it’s cool and a little bit edgy rather than trying too hard to be flattering. Does anyone know if this knit is soft? I tried a gorgeous blue sezane cardigan earlier this year as everyone raves about their knitwear but I found the blend a bit itchy, not nice when the trend is to wear it next to the skin it seems. Any help much appreciated. TIA

Hi stonecrop I am afraid I will not be much help here. The cardigan looks a bit meh...imo , specially the colour, depending on your complexion (I think) and at that price I expect more than 60% synthetic fabric, specially in a knit , I wouldn’t be able to stand the static , and itching.
And the dress, I am afraid going into autumn in the current state of things ... I cannot think (for myself) when or how I will wear that.
Are you somewhere warmer? Then again, you might be a lot younger than me that is currently thinking in practical stuff .

Hi stonecrop, I've never bought anything Rouje, seen it in shop though and was very much not impressed. The fabrics really let it down and I'm not sure what's going on with the fit on the pictures. At first I thought they'd gone for more inclusive models as they look larger than the sizes they're wearing but they're all a size 8 🤷

The line was originally (I'm not sure if it still is) designed by Nathalie Dumeix, her own label has a similar look (bit more 70s nostalgia) but it's much nicer made (fabrics, cut, etc.)

It's more expensive but definitely more value for money than Rouje. She cuts amazing trousers, and the prices are not that much more (I remember Rouje being cheaper) this lightweight jumper is €220 but at least it's wool and cashmire, as opposed to 60% synthetic at €185

Thank you both. Very helpful points there. Thanks for the link Botemp, I will check that out. I need good quality clothes these days to hide the figure flaws so think I will swerve rouje.

I just posted that video and ran - it popped up in my youtube feed and was too apt not to share.

Sewing with jersey is not at all too scary to even contemplate! I'd encourage people to have a go. I do not have an overlocker or fancy equipment, but a sewing machine with stretch seams. I did sew a few seams with a zigzag (small narrow stitches) and it does work really well. It's for topstitching and stuff you'd want a stretch stitch I think.

I've packed away the sewing machine now until next summer probably. I do not have the time or space. It takes too much energy to be a fun hobby what with the sourcing (sorry for wanky word) or fabric etc. But the Kielo dress has been on my radar forever, exactly the type of thing I fawn over. So sorry it didn't work out for you Mary!

The showstudios patterns look really interesting but it was such an arty website I haven't looked properly yet because was on an Ipad. I've had it up to bloody here with shite websites btw feels like we're moving backwards not forwards.

Some of those Mackage coats seemed very nice. As a Swede I approve.

I'm really itching to do some shopping. Sad isn't it. And there is nothing to buy. I'd love

• wide wool trousers in forest green (wool flannel, wool tweed)
• interesting tops, jersey/t-shirts like easy to wear but nice. Good materials.
• Knitted dresses that don't make me look like a whale in a jumper
• shoes that work for me (problem area as you know)
• a forest green or navy blue long wool coat

so either becoming Katherine Hepburn

OR

some sort of officey power dressing in an attempt to make people listen to me? Do I need to get into the Phase Eight dresses?

I do not need any of this obv since I have clothes really. What I need is

• good winter boots
• walking/"running" shoes with good traction (like maybe Icebugs)
• some sort of "hiking" boot I think (boring, ideally combined with the above maybe?)
• in between season scarves I actually like

Am stressed and bored with Covid keeping me away from browsing (shops are so full here now, I'm staying away and hating people).

Residus found some Christian Dior surplus fabrics (they say, I wouldn't know) and made pyjamas: residusofficial.com/product-category/news/?v=f003c44deab6

Btw, this fabric shop popped up in my FB feed and I can't remember if it's been posted before. No idea about prices because you have to register, it's so special. Part of Tessuti or something. shop.newtess.com/en/

Regarding stuff that pops out in Facebook, why I never trust them? The fact that they advertise there always makes me think they might not be great, it is a completely unfounded thought.

I have planted bulbs. Crocuses, daffodils, tulips. I am going to get more and get a few pots too to prepare.
I need to do a few things out today so I am wearing my white make coat, gosh I had forgotten how nice it feels lovely soft and light fabric but warm at the same time.