In the beginning…
Daughter of a collector and passionate about antique textiles, I grew up in the world of reenactment, but also folklore.
Indeed, since I was very young, I have had the opportunity to slip into the antique dresses that my mother collects passionately.
This allowed me to understand the evolutions of the female body and fashions.
As the granddaughter of a seamstress and the grandniece of a hosiery worker, fashion and textiles are elements that are dear to us in the family and inspire us.
Homemade, DIY, and creative hobbies also occupied our weekends and holidays. After studying business in Bordeaux and a master's in art market expertise in Paris, I returned to my native South.
I continue my commercial career there and start my family. I participate in various costume events, learn a lot, and take evening sewing classes with a great teacher."
But the passion is too strong.
In 2021, I embarked on a CAP (Certificate of Professional Competence) in sewing in evening classes.
La Biche qui Coud...
Armed with this new diploma, I first use it for personal purposes, to more easily sew my own creations.
The moment of going out in costume with my children, during historical or folkloric events and reenactments, is always special because it's necessary to find appropriate costumes for constantly changing sizes. Initially, I simply found period-appropriate, vintage or recent children's clothing that did the job, but as they grew out of the "baby" age, it became very difficult to find suitable clothes. Patterns for children's clothing are increasingly hard to find and are not necessarily historically accurate.
The idea took shape to recreate patterns based on old pieces from the family collection and others found by chance. I chose to offer key pieces of children's fashion between the ages of 6 and 14, as PDF patterns, derived from vintage models, very little or not altered at all.
The wardrobe of children's costumes from the 18th and 19th centuries is vast, but it is also very rich. I hope to help you discover it according to your needs and desires.
From my historical research, a collection of patterns has emerged and is now available to you:
— In PDF format containing the graded pattern sheet and an explanatory note with an illustrated step-by-step guide.
— The children's models range from sizes 6 to 14 years, women's models from size 34 to 50, and men's models from XS to 3XL!
Because there is also adult fashion, why miss out? Especially when certain pieces, like the camisole model, are worn across all ages.
But also when we discover beautiful pieces in men's or women's fashion without ever being able to find the corresponding pattern that makes us dream.
Ethics and Spirit
The base models are authentic period garments. Research work (iconographic, library, etc.) has been carried out beforehand to avoid chimeras, misconceptions, and pieces that are too altered to be honest.
Our authentic garments are "key" pieces in the history of European, French, and/or Provençal costume.
You will always have one or more photos of the vintage model in the booklet, and on the website if possible.
The traditional techniques and stitches used are preserved (flat-felled seams, gussets, darts, etc.), and I leave the choice of implementation to you: by hand or with a sewing machine. The essential thing is to preserve the line, the silhouette of the era, and above all, the elegance!!! For my part, as my children grow (always too) quickly, I prefer to use the sewing machine, and sometimes I use a serger, but when necessary, I sew by hand.
Of course, you will be able to personalize your creations.
These historical costume patterns are intended for enthusiasts, film or theater costume designers, reenactors, creators of period costumes, or simply the curious!
The goal is also to be able to quickly sew a little costume for your child on a Saturday evening, either because you have some fabric left over or because they've grown up too fast... In short, an accessible pattern!!
Get your Patterns, sew, enjoy, and share!!!!
