Creative conversation with Emma @popaddictnormandie

Emma, ​​aka @popaddictnormandie on social media, is part of my team of testers who help me improve the patterns before they are released. I love her infectious joy and her always very colorful creativity. When I suggested she talk about her sewing experience on the blog, she immediately wanted to make short videos. So I'll let you read and listen to it ;)

Who are you and how did you discover sewing?

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

Impulsive and go-getter in life as in sewing!!! I like to do what I like when I want to. Also, as soon as I see a pattern that I have a crush on, I dig into my fabric stash to sew it as quickly as possible.

By the way, I have a rather particular way of working with my fabrics. I only buy them on impulse! I tried to organize myself better by buying fabrics whose color or print would match with a particular sewing project I've already made, but it was a failure... I didn't like them enough to sew them and they stayed in the closet for a long time.

Over time, I have developed a very personal method to ensure that I always have the right fabric in my stock. I organize myself so that I always have fabric in the following main categories:
• Cotton poplin (for dresses and tops)
• Viscose (for models requiring fluidity)
• Jacquard (for skirts, jackets, trench coats and light coats)
• Stretch gabardine (for skirts, pants, dresses, jackets, trench coats, etc.)
• Cotton jersey (for dresses and tees)
• French terry sweat (for sweaters, vests, winter dresses, etc.)

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

What is the creation you are most proud of?

I find that coats and trousers are the most complex pieces to sew. Coats because there are a lot of techniques to acquire (lining, shoulder pads, taming woolens with ironing with a damp cloth, etc.) and trousers because of the many adjustments required. To date, the creation that has given me the most satisfaction is the Lady Kate coat by Chut Charlotte.

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

It was at my very beginnings in sewing… I had chosen the I am Cassiopée dress from I am patterns. And as is often the case at the beginning, we do not choose the models best suited to our body shape. The style of this dress is oversized. It is not what I prefer. My 2nd mistake was the choice of fabric: a cotton that was too stiff. I ended up with a hot air balloon dress. The result was really not pretty, it looked like a potato sack. I tried to correct this by putting an elastic at the waist to cinch it. It is better but it very often stays in the closet despite everything.

What are your favorite DIY addresses?

Wow! I have a lot! I'm a real snoop. I search everywhere for the best value for money.

For the buttons, I buy from Ma fabrique de boutons , one of the last French button manufacturers. Their button batches are particularly advantageous.

Otherwise I regularly find good deals on the Vinted platform. For fabrics, if I want good quality I go to The sweet mercerie . For wax, I go to Adeline who brings them directly from Africa Wanyiyi boutique .

Otherwise, I wander… AtBy Tatie Fofie , Fairyfactory , Tissus Lolie Shop …

For elastics, especially lingerie elastics, I share with you a very good plan. It is Mercerie Extra , an elastic manufacturer located in the north of France. It has a very wide variety at very low prices.

Which Instagram accounts inspire you?

I would say that inspiration is everywhere: at @zakadit for her good humor, at @_juliereve_ for her daily poetry, at @louiseganot for her colorful illustrations… But on the fashion side, there are the influencers @happy_as_a_bee_ , @ten_years_apart , @avrilsurunfil and @elodieblueberry .

But I am especially inspired by women with whom I can identify, especially in terms of measurements but also a hand-sewn wardrobe worn every day. And there I follow my friends: Maeva @sharivaree_claps , Nina @ninaahbulles , Lydie @en_de_coudre , Johanna @mes_jolis_rates_ , Magalie @dansedesaiguilles .

It's really cool because for the last 2/3 years, we've been seeing more and more accounts of women with curves. Moreover, the size range is expanding for many pattern designers and that's really good news!

If you were a material?

Fabric shopping online or in store?

Paper or PDF format?

If you were a technique?