La grande braderie de mode Québécoise

Big Annual Fashion Sale by Quebec Designers
In Montreal, from October 22 to 25, there will be the Big Annual Fashion Sale by Quebec Designers. The event will be at the Marché Bonsecours, the same building as the Costume and Textile Museum in Quebec. They will also have a benefice event on October 21rst...

Are you thinking about going?

La grande braderie de mode Québécoise

À Montréal du 22 au 25 octobre 2015 prochain aura lieu la grande braderie de mode - un événement pour les fashionista ou l'on peut dénicher des vêtements de designer Québécois à rabais! Il sera aussi possible de visite l'exposition courante au Musée du Costume et du Textile du Québec, soit "Leitmotifs" dans le même édifice. Il y a aussi une soirée bénéfices la veille, le 21 octobre... 

Pensez-vous y aller?

Marché Bonsecours
350 St-Paul Est et 325 de la Commune Est 
Vieux-Montréal, Québec

Heures d'ouverture:
Jeudi de 10h à 21h
Vendredi de 10h à 21h
Samedi de 10h à 18h
Dimanche de 10h à 17h

Voir les détails sur le site de la Braderie.

McCall's 6844 Review

M6844 - Peplum Cardigan

 

High-low Peplum Cardigan

Pattern Description

McCall's 6844 is a cardigan with fold over neckline with or without a peplum. Close-fitting cardigans (do not meet at center front) have collar extending into front band, and narrow hem. A and C: shaped hemline, wrong side shows. For Sweater Knits, Novelty Knits, Interlock fabrics.

Pattern Sizing

I made view C (high-low peplum) in the size L. I am 5'2", 165 lbs, 40(34G)-33-40. It is a little large in the shoulders, maybe a M with FBA would have been better since the CF meets and the description says it shouldn't.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes, but maybe a tad larger than intended.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I really like the peplum on my silhouette. It is comfortable to wear as being a knit but still chic enough to go out for dinner with it (I paired it with a black pencil skirt and white with fuchsia florals crepe top)

Fabric Used

I used the remnant from my Tiramisu dress (see other review) and I had barely enough to sew it with 3/4 sleeves - the sleeves were also cut with the stretch going up/down for lack of fabric... I love the color and the weight of the fabric for this cardigan, but this poly ponte pile like crazy. I knew that before sewing it so I made it as a wearable muslin.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made

I mage 3/4 sleeves because I didn't have enough fabric for the long sleeves. I used clear elastic in the shoulders seams.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes, I will try it in M with FBA. In an abstract Black and white print, it would be more versatile in my closet too. I like to wear it with a belt but I think it might be because it is too large and do not look good without the belt (too floppy, no waist definition on me without the belt).

Pattern review page here.

Comino Cap Pattern Review

Comino Top & Dress Pattern from Kitschy Coo

Blue rayon knit top

I made several tops and dresses with the Comino Cap Top/Dress kitschy Coo Pattern that I bought right when it was released. The blue rayon knit fabric being sheer, I made it shorter to wear with a camisole since I like the camisole to peek below the hem (sorry, in the photo below it rode up!). It is very soft but might not be the most flattering one... My camisole is poly/nylon and when it is too warm I do not like to wear it. But since I sewn it as a wearable muslin to determine the proper size, I am very happy!

Solid Blue Camino Top

Fuchsia yoke and floral dress 

I love the combination of the rayon fuchsia knit yoke and rayon floral on black knit. Unfortunately, the fuchsia yoke is growing with wear but do not pile. The waist feels too low at the end of the day, but it spring back with washing/drying... I am quite pleased with the flowers alignment at the waist seam too. So I wear it often with my favorite fuchsia flower hair clip!

Fuchsia and Floral Comino Dress

Black yoke and abstract blue top & dress

I adore the black organic cotton knit I used for the yoke. I bought it during the Open house at the Oöm atelier last spring for about 2$ for a handful of remnant pieces. It is very soft and has a great bouncy recovery. The abstract blue/black/green looks like a Ikat print and was bought last July 4th during the sewing bloggers meet-up on St-Hubert. I fell in love with the colors and it was a bargain at 6$/m since I was able to cut the Comino top and dress in less than 2m! And I have enough left for either underwear or a kid's shirt even if I was careful about pattern placement to get a continuity of the print at the side and waist seams... My 6 year old daughter already made a tiny dress for her mini doll with some floor scrap... I am so proud of her! :D

TODO : Add a photo when it is hemmed...

Comino Cap Pattern Review

Pattern Description

Comino Cap Top/Dress kitschy Coo Pattern can be made in a cap sleeve top or dress and with or without a sweetheart neckline yoke. It remind me of the Colette Macaron but for knit fabrics.

Pattern Sizing

I used size 5 and I am 40 (34G) - 33 - 40, 5'2" and fluctuate around 163 lbs this summer.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? 

My main modification is to stabilized the V neck and shoulder seams. I also didn't finished the seams that were topstitched. So here's my preferred method :

1. Stay stitch the lower bodice piece V neck on 1in each way, using staytape. (cut the itchy staytape to ensure it never touch my skin!)
2. Sew upper to lower bodice pieces for BACK and FRONT, press SA down and topstitch.
3. Sew shoulder seam using clear elastic (or staytape) as stabilizer. Press SA to back and topstitch.
4. Prepare the 3 binding bands : sew ends together in a tube, press SA open and press tube folded in half, pressing a fold at each 1/4.
5. Pin neck binding at each 1/4, sew, press SA down and topstitch.
6. Sew side seams, finish and press to back.
7. Pin armholes binding at each 1/4, sew, press SA down and topstitch.
8. (Optional) Sew and finish skirt side seams. Then, attach skirt to bodice, finish SA and press up.
9. Hem 1inch with double needle.

Stabilizing shoulders and V neckline.

I found it way easier to sew that the sweetheart neckline yoke let me believed. The point is not hard to sew and I didn't get any stretching, maybe because I used staytape there too?

Fabric Used

Different knit fabrics, mostly rayon/lycra blend and lightweight. A fabric with good recovery is needed for the yoke, even more important if you plan a sheer yoke, else your bra top will show is the fabric stretch with wear... I plan on sewing one with a sheer yoke eventually!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made

Not much, they are all size 5. The solid blue one has it's hem shorten by 1,5 in. The dresses has been shorten at the shorten here line to 20in from waist to hem and the side seam are a little altered to fit my fabric.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes! I love these tops and dresses. I think it is a very comfortable casual summer dress, but looks special with the yoke! It also allow to use smaller fabric remnants. I keep thinking to make a waistband to make it a little less casual or to wear it with a real belt.


Here is my official pattern review on Patternreview.com.

My 15 minutes of fame!

Plaza St-Hubert, Montreal (source: Plaza St-Hubert)

Eh, I've been published! My Guide to Montreal was published this morning in the Seamwork Magazine, a Collette Patterns initiative!! And just in time for Canada Day and our upcoming Sewing Bloggers Meetup... I am very proud! :D

If my article makes you want to visit my hometown, let me know! Thanks!

---

Hey, je suis une auteure publiée! J'ai écris en anglais ce printemps un Guide sur Montréal et il a été publié ce matin dans Seamwork Magazine, un projet de Collette Patterns!! Juste à temps pour la fête du Canada et notre rencontre de samedi... J'en suis très fière! :D

Si cet article vous a donné le goût de visiter ma ville, laissez-le moi savoir! Merci!

Monsieur Letendre, Rubans et Boutons, 7363 St-Hubert

Montreal Sewing Meetup - July 4th 2015

A Whole Day of Fun / Une journée de plaisir!

11h30 at Pizzali coq, 7616 St-Hubert, métro JARRY
13h at Kava, 7609 St-Hubert : for fabric shopping / pour magasiner du tissus...
17h at Gainzbar, 6289 St-Hubert, métro Beaubien, http://www.gainzbar.com/

Invitation / details :  Facebook Event !

 

Saturday July 4th 2015 at 11h30, 13h or 17h

All sewing enthusiasts are invited to share a few tapas, cocktails and chitchat about our hobby and life this Saturday July 4th 2015. The main event will be a 5@7 at Gainzbar from 17h until as far as the night will carry us! :D

If interested, meet us prior to go fabric shopping on St-Hubert, starting at Kava around 13h and going South until we reach the Gainzbar when the stores closes!

If you would love to grab lunch too, we will eat at the affordable and quite generous in their portion Pizzeli Coq at 11h30.

RSVP Please!

Samedi le 4 juillet 2015 à 11h30, 13h or 17h

Amateurs de couture, vous êtes invités autour de quelques tapas et de bons cocktails à jaser de tout et de couture ce Samedi 4 juillet 2015. L'activité principale sera le 5@7 au Gainzbar dès 17h jusqu'au last call! ;)

Si magasiner du tissus vous démanche, rendez-vous avant chez Kava à 13h et nous descendrons la rue St-Hubert vers le Sud tranquillement jusqu'au Gainzbar à la fermeture des boutiques!!

Envie d'un diner abordable et généreux? Venez avec nous au Pizzeli Coq dès 11h30 pour une journée bien remplie!!

RSVP!


À bientôt!!

Montreal Sewing Blogger Meetup!!

Gainzbar - 6289 St-Hubert - at 5pm

 

Ce Samedi 4 Juillet!

Salut tout le monde, il s'organise un petit rassemblement de couturière ce samedi 4 juillet 2015. Jusqu'à présent, on parle d'un 5@7 au Gainzbar sur St-Hubert. Mais il flotte dans l'air une possibilité de magasinage de tissus avant... Je vais mettre les détails quand ils seront connus! :D

This Saturday July 4th!

Hello, a little meeting will happen at the Gainzbar on St-Hubert for a 5@7 this Saturday July 4th 2015. Some fabric shopping might take place before... I will post details when they will be know! :D

Unselfish Sewing : purse and dress

My daughter's dress / Robe pour ma fille

My daughter is only 6 years old, but she is very opinionated about what she wants to wear at my sister's wedding next September... At first she wanted a mermaid skirt, but I was afraid it wouldn't allow her the liberty of movement she will crave to play! We had some discussions, none of us really happy with the compromises... But then she saw a pin on my Pinterest board of a one shoulder sheath dress and asked me if I could sew that bodice but with a a high-low skirt like her favorite Barbie dress. Of course my love!

The bodice pattern is the Bridgette Dress from Violet Field Threads Etsy shop. I drafted the full circle skirt with box pleats in the back and pleats in the front, similar to the By Hand London Flora dress and a wink to the 9,500$ Mikado Silk Dior Dress (similar to Jennifer Lawrence) I tried once in NYC!

Here is the muslin in her favorite color awaiting hemming and a zipper. She was so thrilled she wants me to finish it for the last day of school next week! Sorry for the blurry pictures ; those were the best out of the gazillion of twirling-like-a-tornado-of-giggles pictures!

Muslin for my daughter's dress for the wedding

Clutch purse / Petit sac à main

As a gift for my mother in law, I chose a bag pattern that matched her coral & white dress pleated neckline, used remnant of my own bridesmaid dresses (a white poly satin) and fabric from her own mother's stash for the lining. I sewed it up and send it via priority mail to be on time for her retirement party! She was very happy and I liked it so much that I will sew 2 more for the bridesmaid at my sister's wedding! The pattern is the Wrislet Clutch Purse from Constructiv Patterns Etsy shop.

I love the final sewn clutch ; it is a great size for a night out and I love the recessed zipper as it look more professional! The PDF pattern was easy to assemble. I prefer pattern with more illustration than text, but it wasn't too difficult to put together. Next one I will do, I will make a removable strap instead, using a clip on the strap and D ring sewn in the side seam of the bag.

Gail's Retirement Purse

Plotting my Bridesmaid Dress

My little sister is getting married in September and I need a navy knee length dress because I will be one of the 2 bridesmaids. The other bridesmaid already ordered her dress in Midnight Navy Poly Taffeta from Kenneth Winston (style 5042). We plan on buying orange Pashmina shawls in case it is cold in September...

My sister's wedding moodboard

I was hesitant as to which pattern to sew so I made my own pin up paper doll (tutorials Oonaballoona and Llady Bird)... I drew the Colette Macaron, Gertie Sultry Sheath and BHLSophia and a few more options... Those below are my first attempt at using my Me-Paper-Dolls!

Gertie's Sultry Sheath vs Colette Macaron

But since I already own the pattern (and my husband voted for it too!), I will start by sewing a muslin of the Gertie's Sultry Sheath (from the book Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing). My plan is to change the back to a deep low V neckline. That usually helps to create the illusion of a smaller waist or not as overwhelmingly broad shoulders... I might shorten it quite a bit too to hit at a more flattering spot on my muscular legs.

I will probably sew mine in navy silk dupioni or shantung.  Underline in Silk Organza (or cotton fuzzy if boning show through), use steal boning and line it in silk crepe de chine maybe? (or rayon bemberg or silk habotai) I am toying with the idea to have my underlining and lining come from Dharma and to paint the lining but it will probably be too much work (but their silk are so much less expensive)...

I am 40-34-40 inches with 38in high bust (or 34G bra) at 162 lbs, 5'3" : I am tracing the size 8 at the shoulder, 10 at bust, 12 at waist and back to 8 from the hips down.

I am unsure if the dress will be too simple, so I may be adding a little drape at the waist line like the pink floral version made by Gertie herself. OR a self fabric covered belt OR pretty bows like this version of BHL Elisalex bodice and Charlotte skirt made by Katy & Laney! Here is my Pinterest board dedicate to that project.

Pretty bows from Katy & Laney (source)

I might sew 2 purses (Clutch pattern from Etsy) for me and the other bridesmaid, either orange or nude.

I plan to wear nude wedge heels ; I will go to Bottes Imperial in Montreal to have them custom made by an old-school cobbler... :D

And I will also sew my daughter's dress... But that is for another post!

I Updated my Montreal's Crafty Directory

There are floor to ceiling fabric warehouses in Montréal!!

Hello, just a quick note to let my numerous followers (ah ah ah! Hi Hunny!) that I updated my fabric stores list with addresses in my Montreal's Crafty Directory. It has now even more fabric stores listed, plus a section of "other crafts" stores like for knitting, arts/painting/scrapbooking/beads/etc and for baking!

Some fabric store owner told me I was not the first person to come to his store with my directory printed out ; I was so proud to tell him that I am the one that made it! But now I was curious as to know how many person downloaded it... So I moved my PDF to Crafsty because it was the easiest way to count how many download I get from that file and notify them of further updates... :D

PS : I also added a section called Montreal's Activities on my blog to list the Montreal's sewing schools and sewing related exhibits and activities in town...

/ Salut, juste quelques mots pour aviser mes nombreux lecteurs (ah ah ah! Salut maman!) que j'ai mis à jour mon PDF avec mon répertoire des magasins de tissus à Montréal. J'ai aussi ajouté des magasins pour d'autres hobby comme la patisserie, le tricot et les arts en général... 

Un propriétaire de magasin de tissus m'a dit que je n'étais pas la première à venir dans sa boutique avec mon répertoire imprimé ; j'étais tellement fière de lui dire que c'était mo qui l'a créé!! Mais alors j'étais curieuse de savoir combien de personne l'ont téléchargé... Alors je l'ai mis disponible sur Craftsy puisqu'il compte les download et envoie des notices de mise à jour à ceux qui l'ont! :D

PS : J'ai aussi ajouté une section Montreal's Activities sur mon blog avec une belle liste d'écoles de couture et d'activités liées à la mode ou à la couture...

PS 2 : Laissez-moi savoir si je devrais traduire mon répertoire en Français aussi... Ça me trotte dans la tête mais je n'ai pas encore buché la-dessus...

La virée des ateliers à Montréal!

La virée des artistes @ 2065, 2205 & 2220 rue Parthenais

A quick note to let you know that it is "La virée des ateliers" this week in Montréal. Artists, artisans and fashion designers on Parthenais street open their workshop to the public from April 30th to May 3rd 2015. This 8th edition will allow you to visit more than 100 creative worshops in the next 4 days, about a dozen of which are Fashion Designers.

/ Juste une petit mot pour vous laisser savoir que c'est la virée des ateliers à Montréal cette semaine! 

Veuillez me pardonner la description prise sur leur site, je voulais partager mais je manque de temps aujourd'hui : "Artistes, artisans et designers de mode de la rue Parthenais ouvrent leurs portes. La Virée des ateliers tiendra sa 8e édition du 30 avril au 3 mai 2015.

Aux ateliers de l’usine Grover et du Chat des artistes s’ajouteront ceux de la coopérative Lézarts. La 8e édition englobera ces trois lieux de création de la rue Parthenais dans un même évènement rassembleur. Ainsi pendant quatre jours, du jeudi au dimanche, près d’une centaine ateliers en arts visuels, en métiers d’art et en mode, regroupant plus d’une centaine de créateurs, ouvriront leurs portes aux visiteurs.

Cet évènement est unique puisque ce sont plus de cent créateurs qui ouvrent leurs ateliers, dans trois bâtiments différents. Unique, dense et varié : le public aime prendre son temps et la virée vaut la peine d’être programmée sur plusieurs heures, voire plusieurs jours!"

La virée des ateliers - Exposition & Vente/Sale

du 30 avril au 3 mai 2015

2065, 2205 & 2220 rue Parthenais, Montréal

Jeudi + Vendredi 11 h à 21 h | Samedi 11 h à 18 h | Dimanche 11 h à 17 h

Coopérative Lézarts, workshops on Parthenais Street

Montreal Spring Sewing Meetup

Hello everyone, Shannon is organizing a sewing meeting (bilingual!) to celebrate the never coming Spring of 2015! Head over her blog to fill her survey... See you soon! :D

/ Bonjour à tous, Shannon organise une sortie (bilingue!) entre bloggueuses couturières pour réchauffer le printemps qui tarde en 2015! Allez sur son blog pour remplir un mini sondage et indiquer vos disponibilités... À bientôt! :D

PS : Aidez-nous à sauver la Gaillarde par un don, une boutique sans but lucratif de réinsertion pronant la réutilisation des textiles! Voici le lien indigogo... Merci!  

Spring in Montreal!

Well, I know it might not feel at all like spring, but here some activities that might warm some sewists hearts...
/ Même si le printemps tarde à se faire sentir, voici quelques activités à Montréal pour réchauffer nos coeurs de couturières...

Musée du Costume et du Textile du Québec

1. Book Café : Fashion books and collectors items sale.
   Saturday March 21rd 2015, from 10am to 5pm.
   / Café du livre : Vente de livre sur la mode et d'objets de collection.
   Samedi 21 mars 2015, 10h-17h, au Marché Bonsecours.
2. The current exhibition "Chic & Choc" is presenting 60 garments and accessories chosen for their scintillating beads and sequins, from a Roaring Twenties flapper dress to a stunning Céline Dion concert gown created by Annie Horth.
   Until April 18th 2015.
   / L'exposition courrante "Chic & Choc" réunit une soixantaine de vêtements et accessoires tous sélectionnés pour leurs broderies de perles et de paillettes, de la robe des Années folles à l’éblouissant costume de scène de Céline Dion créé par Annie Horth.
   Jusqu'au 18 avril 2015.

McCord Museum

1.  "Love in Fine Fashion" displays 30 elegant wedding dresses and accessories from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries are featured in the current exhibition.
   Until April 12th 2015.
   / "L'amour sous toutes ses coutures" est une exposition de 30 robes de mariée racontant l'histoire des unions du 19e siècle à maintenant...
   Jusqu'au 12 avril 2015.
2. The new permanent exhibition "Wearing our identity" about First Nations is a must to discover ancient traditions where the creation of original garments proved a rich heritage of identities and cultures.
   / La nouvelle exposition permanente "Porter son identité" propose aux visiteurs de partir à la découverte de l'héritage des Premiers Peuples, véritable témoin de la richesse de leurs cultures et de leurs identités..

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Last Minute New Year Dress

I wish you all an happy and healthy New Year in 2015! With enough time to sew!! :D

I have sewn a dress for my Daughter, started sewing at 22h on Dec 30 and finished before lunch on the Dec 31rst! It is a super fast make for me. :D

I was so proud of my gorgeous little munchkins and received many compliments on my sewing. They were quite well behave too even with the lack of sleep and if they were so excited to play with their cousins!! I was proud of my sewing too, although my husband's uncle (a professional tailor) tactfully suggested that I buy a proper invisible zipper sewing machine feet! ;) 

Here is what I did for future references:

1. I copied the bodice of my daughter's white RTW dress (about size 6x-7).
2. I added a lining for the bodice only (Tutorial by Dreaming of Avonlea)
3. I made a full circle skirt for extra swirling fun (Calculator by By Hand London)
4. I used an invisible Zipper (Tutorial by Coleterie) with double fold bias tape to wrap the cut end.
5. I used double fold bias tape to finish the lining bottom edge.
6. I tried a tiny hem for the circular skirt (Tutorial by Coleterie) 
7. I hand sewn a white fabric belt with a big front bow and a bow tie for her brother!

Fabric and Notions :

• Periwinkles and White Polyester "Peau de pêche" (satin?) (remnant from my bridesmaid's dresses)
• Lilac ultra cheap polyester lining (bought to sew an Halloween costume that I never made)
• White invisible zipper
• Navy double folded bias tape (remnant from my birthday dress)