Creative conversation with Léonore @les.cousettes.de.fichette

Who are you and what brought you to sewing?

I am Léonore, I am 33 years old and I work in digital in the financial sector. As a teenager, I sewed accessories with my grandmother's machine, a 1955 Singer. I wound the bobbins by hand... it took a long time! As a student, I had a Pfaff machine that I mainly used to make a few cushions. In the end, the machine sat in a corner gathering dust for a very long time.

And then there was the health crisis. Two weeks after the lockdown, I had respiratory symptoms of Covid. I do triathlon at a "high dose", between 10 and 15 hours of sport per week... so from the first symptoms, I found myself with lots of free time! So, I took out the sewing machine. I started by unpicking an old Zara short to copy it. Today is April 18, 2020 and I am opening my Instagram page to learn and follow the seamstresses and designers who inspire me. At that time, I didn't even know what straight grain was. But the internet is full of tutorials! And like for my Ironman, I jumped right into the world of sewing! No regrets!

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

Thoughtfully, I first select my patterns then I choose the fabric accordingly. I allow myself a few favorites in stores from time to time. But I always try to imagine if it will be pants, a blouse, a jacket, a dress to select a length as close as possible. When I go to Coupons de Saint Pierre, I allow myself lots of favorites because the lengths are 3m. Then I sometimes change my mind at the last minute!

Do you practice other creative hobbies?

My father was an abstract painter, he lived from his painting all his life. Throughout my childhood, I practiced many artistic activities, especially watercolor and sculpture. Today, I like to make small jewelry or decorative objects. I have also been making origami for years for fun (and now I offer them to my cats). But sewing remains my favorite activity.

The creation you are most proud of?

At the time, it was my very first sewing project, because it was magic for me. Today, I really like my SaajLike jumpsuit with the camisole and pants from the customizable Atelier Charlotte Auzou patterns. Otherwise, I am currently working on a costume order, and I think that once it is finished, it will be my little pride.

And on the contrary, your worst creative failure?

It's a failure that ends well. It was the Eclipse dress by Maison Fauve , I was still very much a beginner... and I wanted to make it in an Atelier Brunette fabric... I put a 60 cm non-invisible zipper on a very light fabric without ironing it on... it looked like a stegosaurus!! I was hanging this dinosaur skin on a hanger when I saw my cat starting to scratch it!!! The cursed project!

In this case, I calm down and fold my entire project into a small box and wait until I am calm and have made progress before opening the box. Two months later, I opened the box, I put an invisible zipper by ironing the edges of the fabric where the zipper should be placed. The dress is not perfect, but it suits me. As for the little snags from the cat, a good iron to crush all that!

Your favorite DIY addresses?

For fabric purchases, I often look at the websites Pretty Mercerie , Mercerine , the Sweet Mercerie , Atelier Brunette and Craftine . I also subscribe to the Craftine Box and the magazines La Maison Victor and Fibremood . For haberdashery, I am a fan of the Rascol website. For patterns, I either go to the Wissew website or directly to the designers' websites. In stores, I often go to l'Atelier d'Archibald , Mondial Tissus , les Coupons de Saint Pierre .

Which Instagram accounts inspire you?

A lot! The list is not exhaustive. On the designer side, there is of course @ateliercharlotteauzou @maisonfauve @lecameliarose @ma_petite_fabrique and @cha_coud that I love.

For the photos, I really like the staging of @lady.sobe , @Charlotte_atelier_ and @triple_l_de_mag . I like the offbeat world of @blooming_sewing . There is also the account of @luciledelfosse that I find great, it is one of the first that I followed.

Finally, there are my two Instagram friends @placedesexperiences who motivate me to sew and @vemon_paris with whom I spend hours discussing luxury clothes that we would like to sew.

If you were a material?

I would like to be Tencel, which is both ecological, soft, fluid and easy to sew. I love this material that can be sewn for all types of clothing.

Fabric shopping online or in store?

Both are equal! Online, I buy materials that I know, if possible, in "large stock" so as not to pay shipping costs. But I prefer to do my shopping in store. On the one hand, I touch the materials, which avoids unpleasant surprises. On the other hand, I really like the contact with my local haberdashery: Atelier d'Archibald , it's an opportunity to exchange our ideas and our projects.

If you were a boss?

The Marius shorts from Ma Petite Fabrique . So quick to sew and they make a nice bottom.

Paper or PDF format?

I prefer PDF because I feel like I save time. I tape and cut directly into my paper. And if I need a different size, I print. Sometimes I treat myself to the thrill of printing in A0 and cutting! I save a lot of time. And I like cutting the paper, I love the sound of the scissors sliding on the sheet.

If you were a technique?

English seam. I started without a serger and it was really the technique that allowed me to have beautiful finishes. Even today with the serger, I still use this process for certain tops.

Patterns for the Fanny blouse and Marius shorts at Ma Petite Fabrique

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Thanks to Léonore for taking part in the creative meeting.
To follow these sewing adventures, subscribe to her Instagram account @les.cousettes.de.fichette .