Creative conversation with Camille @camille.msc

Sewing and social networks allow you to meet many passionate people. I met Camille during my customizable pattern tests, or even before during my signing sessions at my publisher's stand at the Créations et Savoir-Faire trade show. Thanks to her, the Atelier Charlotte Auzou addicts group was born on Facebook. She has a passionate, curious and eager relationship with sewing to discover new techniques. It is a real pleasure to chat with her about our shared passion. I hope you will enjoy reading her answers to my questions.

Who are you and what brought you to sewing?

I am Camille, aka Camille.MSC on social media. I am 34 years old, married and have 2 little boys aged 4 and 6. I started sewing about 7 years ago, to discover a new creative hobby in the arts of thread. Since I was little, I have always loved making Brazilian bracelets, cross stitch, knitting, bead creations, canvas, scoubidou… All this with more or less success 😊 One day, I asked my grandmother to show me how a sewing machine works, and BAM! The trap closed on me, impossible to stop since…

What is your creative process: are you a go-getter or a thinker?

I would say that my creative process has evolved recently. I was originally more of a impulse buyer, buying fabrics at random, without really mastering them, or choosing projects that didn't work with my body shape or my wardrobe. As a result, even if my creations were technically not bad, I was often disappointed with the final result that I couldn't wear easily. I was also often frustrated at not finding the time to sew all the new patterns or all the new fabrics that I liked. I had to find a solution, because a hobby that generates disappointment and frustration is not very fun!

So, I decided to think more in advance about my projects, to select colors and patterns that suit me (and not just that I like), to define a limited list (but not necessarily short!) of projects to sew over a given period, and to make sure that everything could fit well into my wardrobe. So I now organize my sewing in the form of a "capsule" per season: between 8 and 10 projects to make, for which the patterns and fabrics are selected at the end of the previous season. I take fabrics/patterns from my stock or I buy some for the occasion.
I've been able to stick to it since fall 2019, and I'm really happy with this format! It also allows me to optimize my time by doing full pattern cutting or fabric cutting sessions (ideal for supervising the children at the same time in the living room!). Of course, I still sometimes fall for a few coupons without a predefined project, or I sew a pattern that caught my eye right away. I don't forbid myself anything! But following this framework allows me to better experience the projects in advance (in particular by creating dedicated mood boards), to prioritize the sewing projects that are closest to my heart and to really see myself moving forward on my wish list.

Customizable patterns #MaRobeAtelierCharlotteAuzou
{ boat neckline + skater skirt }

Do you practice other creative hobbies? Or do you want to try other hobbies besides sewing?

I recently started watercolor, because I find it beautiful and I like the idea of ​​a creative hobby that is easy to take everywhere. However, I can't say that I'm super talented at it yet... :D
I also do a bit of embroidery, I really enjoy it (still in the logic of easy-to-carry hobby, and that you can do on the couch, without isolating yourself from the rest of the family). My big challenge with embroidery is to find patterns that I like, that are at my technical level and to find the project on which I could embroider (clothing, accessory, etc.). Once I get started, there's no stopping me!
Finally, I dream of knowing how to knit properly. When I was little, I learned a few basic stitches… but the tightness of my stitches is irregular, which is not very aesthetic and above all: I am slooo ...

What is the creation you are most proud of?

My tailored jackets, without a doubt. They are the most technical pieces I have had to make, and I wear them a lot on a daily basis.

And on the contrary, can you tell us about your worst creative failure?

Overall, pants. I spend a crazy amount of time adjusting them to my body shape, making toiles all over the place, and the result never convinces me. However, it's a piece that I would love to have in my wardrobe in hand-sewn, especially because I wear pants a lot more than skirts or dresses. One day, maybe, I'll have the patience to rework a pattern until it's perfect in my eyes!

Customizable patterns #MaRobeAtelierCharlotteAuzou
{ overalls + trapeze skirt }

What are your favorite DIY addresses?

I don't really have a particular DIY address. I buy my fabrics and patterns from several resellers or designers. On the other hand, I'm like a child in candy land in the middle of the Créations et Savoir-faire show!

Which Instagram accounts inspire you?

I tend to spend a lot of time looking at posts and stories on Instagram, so to avoid the "bottomless pit" effect and spending too much time there, I drastically limit the number of accounts I follow: never more than 200. If I get to around 210, hop, I go through the accounts again and unsubscribe from some of them. I also follow very few #, always for the same reason.
To get back to your question, I admit that I have a hard time answering it! At a rough guess, I would say that I follow 5 brand accounts, for the fashion side, that's all. For the rest, they are accounts of amateur seamstresses, pattern designers, fabric brands. In fact, I don't really look for inspiration on Instagram: I look for beautiful people, with a world that I like, smiles and kindness. I like seeing someone's latest sewing and reading their creative process, even if it's a garment that I wouldn't personally wear.

Customizable patterns #MaRobeAtelierCharlotteAuzou
{ Classic + gathered skirt + mini sleeves }

If you were a material?

Cotton: natural (although not very ecological), timeless, versatile, easy to sew, easy to maintain, pleasant to wear. It has it all!

Fabric shopping online or in store?

Online, because there is much more choice and I have learned to understand the technical characteristics listed on the internet, to ensure that I make wise choices. In addition, I am less compulsive about my online purchases than in stores.

If you were a boss?

The shirt from the book "My Custom Wardrobe". It's my perfect basic pattern to make all the variations of shirts I want. It ensures an impeccable result, while allowing me to create small modifications that give me the impression of fully personalizing it!

Paper or PDF format?

Recently, paper format! I like beautiful objects, while I inevitably fall for books or covers.

If you were a technique?

Gathering with a serger, hands down! I love gathers and frills on my clothes, but I hate gathering threads and spending ages making regular gathers and adjusting lengths (Miss impatient). Since I discovered a setting on my serger that allows me to gather my fabrics, I'm in heaven! Well, it doesn't always work (especially if the fabric is too thick), but in 80% of cases, it's impeccable.

Customizable patterns #MaRobeAtelierCharlotteAuzou
{ Ruched & Victorian Collar + Jumpsuit + Puff Sleeves }

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Thank you Camille!

Visit her Instagram account to follow her sewing adventures @camille.msc .