le mani d'oro

Connie, Kay, Alexandra, and I have planned two days of walking Montréal's sewing district inside out. There are over 15 stores on our list. 9h30 we start our quest. Rhonda will also join the happy club.

I promise pictures and detailed reviews.

Stay tuned.

Anne


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Voilà des semaines que je traine mon projet de veste et de pantalon. Rien n'avance. Ce n'est pas que je manque de motivation, j'ai envie de coudre, je n'ai juste pas d'énergie. Après avoir terminé ma maitrise en gestion et changé de boulot, tout ça dans le même mois, je crois être sérieusement mure pour des vacances. Demain 17 heures, j'éteins mon ordinateur pour les trois prochaines semaines.

Ce soir, en guise de bonbon, je travaille sur ce paton Burda tendances mode 2009-07-114. J'avais besoin d'un projet avec résultat rapide.


Voici le tissu magnifique dans lequel, je le confectionne. Il s'agit d'une magnifique soie italienne à grands motifs floraux. En principe ce patron se réalise en deux heures à peine. Toutefois, l'ourlet étroit fait à la main me demande un peu plus de temps. Le chemisier/puncho sera terminé pour notre souper en amis de vendredi.


For the past few weeks, my sewing projects aaaarrrreeeeeee ssstttttrrrrreeeeecccchhheeeeeddd. I started the BWOF jacket and the Mischka pants in mid may. Nothing is really going fast. This is so not related to a lack of motivation. I am simply just tired. In the same month I started a new position at the university and I ended out my last paper in order to obtain my master in management. This is what I call a busy month. I am so much in need of vacations. Tomorrow, 5pm, I will shut down my computer. The poor this will have to be alone for three weeks, while I will be sitting on a beach looking at the immensity of the St-Lawrence Golfe. Cold yes, but oh so intense in beauty, smell and peacefullness. I will bring you back pictures. Meanwhile, this is the view we have from the house.



Before I live for this windy paradise, I needed a simple project that could provide with an instente reward. I am currently hand hem 5,4m of pure italian silk. The fabric you see above in black with the large floral print is a charm to work with. It is intensly soft and the drape is enought to make a princess fall in love. Life as a semsstress is so wonderful, you get to feel and work with, the most beautiful knit or woven creations. ahhh lusss Beleive me this fabric is out of this world.

Often, I receive email of readers asking for the name of the store where I buy my fabric. This silk was bought at Madeleine Soie et Laine on St-Hubert Street. Unfortunately, they do not sell on line. Here is a picture of Carole at work cutting another piece of beauty. In the background, the object of my dreams. It stayed in mind for weeks. Now it is mine !








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This week I received from Paco Peralta two Patrones magazine ! Thank you so much !

If you do not know Paco which I doubt so much, he his an artist of the Barcelonian fashion scene. He has real "Mani d'Oro" (golden hands). Every month or so, he makes us dream with his breath taking creations that are always made with skills, you would not dream to have... this last sentence is of course not for Claire Kennedy, who sometimes visits my humble Cyber space. Paco is one of the most generous "sastro" on Internet. He never hesitates to share his knowledge or answer a personal email though his agenda is amazingly busy.

That said...

My father recently spent a month in Spain and I had commission him to go shop with Paco for fabric at Gratacos. Paco was willing to accompany him and my dearest dad was willing to spend 60 minutes in what would be for me a Spanish sewist paradise and a temple where I would ruin my self ;-)

It was for my greatest deception that father had to change is itinerary. Since Paco had kept those two magazines for me, he sent them by mail. What a pleasure to receive real mail !

Muchas Gracias Paco, eres uno tesoro!!!!!!!!! Mi sorpresa paquete llegará pronto a su casa.

Birgitte, who is the soul behind Bubblegum 4 Breakefast, is working on a replicate of this amazing, M Jackson inspired Balmain jacket.

Birgitte is, well how would I know who she is since I have never met her... Well, in my point of view, Birgitte seams to be a dynamic, highly creative person who loves to dig and try, try and dig until she finally creates the garment she wants, thrives and desires. The most amazing thing in my opinion is that she always succeeds. You should look on her blog for the Yves St-Laurent blouse, the Dior raincoat, the Chanel jacket made for her younger daughter, her bohemian skirt, her pearled collar blue jacket, the silver jeans jacket, the blue silk dress made for her older daughter, etc.

She is, to my taste, inventive and above all not afraid of wearing clothes that are daring. Well, if you read my blog from time to time, I know there are so many to read on planet Ihaveaninterestinglifetosharewithyou all, so if you read my blog, you will know that I worship creative people who dare to wear divinely extravagant clothes... I am so not able to do that yet!

Birgitte is a gifted individual who puts efforts in getting her dreams realized. We should all follow that path. De la pensée à la main, il y a un monde à franchir. J'aime sa détermination. From thought to work, this is a world to cross. I admire her determination.

Now she is heading for the moon with this jacket. Could I be an astronaut as well?


So Birgitte, if you had not seen it before, I found on The Cut this very interesting video on beading. See their wonderful technique !!!!!!!





A couple of friends and I are following her progresses with the Balmain Jacket. Join our club and read her blog. She is amazing.



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Durant de nombreuses années, j'ai eu l'impression que ma personnalité, disons vive et colorée constituait un frein au port de vêtements vifs et colorés. Persuadée dès mon 16e anniversaire que le noir représentait le seul costume qui me siérait (quel verbe difficile à conjuguer, seoir). Et bien, telle une veuve sicilienne, j'ai traversé le temps, l'espace et les périodes de ma vie.

Depuis 2 ans, à l'occasion, je m'assoie sur mon lit, j'ouvre les portes de ma penderie, je prends une grand respiration et j'observe. Ensuite, je me questionne et réfléchis. Quelle tristesse cette sombre garder-robe! Pourquoi tant de noir quand le monde offre tant de couleurs et de motifs? N'ayant de prime abord trouvé que des explications longuissimes et aucune réponse concrète, j'ai déserté le divan du Dr Freud pour surfer sur le site d'Emma One Sock ou bien trainer mes pieds chez Madelaine Soie et Laine. De fil en aiguille, de couture en vêtements terminés, peu à peu je suis tombée sous le charme. D'abord, le rouge, puis, le vert olive et ensuite les motifs. Ma tête navigue dans une mer d'étoffes colorés, de textures animées des plus fous reliefs, mon coeur est une voile gonflée par un vent de poésie textiles. Je vis.

Mon premier essai un t-shirt d'une simplicité désarmante confectionné avec un tricot Cavalli rouge et olive. Amour visuel dès les premiers instants. Inconfort au premier essayage suivit d'une persistance affirmée, de compliments au bureau et d'une finale en confort, maintenant une aisance du look "je m'aime avec des couleurs". Ahhh Haaa victoire ma douce, victoire te voilà! Mais, mai .... je peux vivre en portant autre chose que du noir! S'exclame-t-elle! Et qu'est-ce que cette doctrine du: "je tente d'être invisible en public à tout prix"? Je lui dis vas te perdre sur les montagnes immalayennes pardis!

Tranquillement, je soupire devant des étoffes de toutes les couleurs. Je me laisse charmer par les textures variées, les motifs osées et je suis une nouvelle fan des dévorés de soie et velours colorés. Je suis guérie. Je prêche l'autoguérison, je suis une adepte de l'auto dérision et vive l'autodétermination. Auto et "tion" rime si bien. Comme résister cette suite à trois ?
Voilà une robe dans laquelle je me sens femme, dans laquelle je m'assume à plein. Merci Roberto Cavalli pour le tissus, Butterick pour le patron (à ne pas choisir voir ma critique sur Pattern Review plus bas à droite) et Emma One Sock .
Des photos et c'est tout. Mon amoureux aime bien le look.


If demure was once my modo, it no longer is
There was a time in my life, which lasted 21 years, when I would wear only black clothes. On my lively days, I would go for navy blue or pale grey. Wooo how daring of me! My father, who enjoys pulling my leg, use to call me the Sicilian widow. Prints would be out of the question even if they were black and white. Why was that, I don't know? Everything seemed flashy to me. I guess I was under the impression that my personality was colorful enough! I don't know?

I wonder what Dr Freud would say about that. Reference to this other review I wrote on PR

Recently, a much joyful or colorful phase started. I added solid colors and prints. Wooo this is a revolution in my life. Green, red, orange and even aqua now have a place in my closet. The rest of the clothes, all blackies of course, look at the freshies with curiosity wondering weather they are there to stay. Come on girls, there is space for diversity in that closet.

So, this dress is part of the flashy freshies. I am not certain yet weather or not I like it. In my point of view, this is a very daring jersey dress. What do you think?



















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I told you I was in love with those scarfs. I bought one.

It arrived yesterday, it is so beautiful, warm, innovative and well knit. I might order another one.

I love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You want one. It is simple to buy on Etsy. Click on the word Etsy and you will arrive on her Etsy page.

On top of being talented, she is wonderful to deal with.

As soon as DH has time to take pictures of me wearing it. I will pose with my new friend.

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Ce soir, j'ai remis le dernier travail essentiel à l'obtention de mon diplôme de deuxième cycle en gestion !!!!!!!!!! Je suis heureuse. Trois ans et demi de dur labeur qui arrivent à sa fin.

Tonight I handed out the last paper required to obtain my master in management !!!!!!!!! I am happy, very happy. Three and a half years of hard work are ending tonight.

Joy !

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