Thrift Shopping French Style

GOING GREEN

I’m sewing on the road just now and totally enjoying the journey! First stop: FRANCE

Parked up at Villeneuve-de-Marsan in France, I was delighted to discover a thrift store just around the corner.

With some GCSE French under my belt, I translated the window sign to read ‘50% off’ so I ventured in. It was well merchandised and clean.

I love the thrill of the thrift!

Armed with my colour palette from House of Colour, I made sure anything I purchased was going to suit my colouring. The size or style I could easy alter myself.

I loved the green in this top and it was linen too – my favourite fabric. I tried it on for size – way too big but hey – sewing is my superpower and I can reshape it. Wearing my #memade cotton shorts in the changing room – what a combination!

I loaded up with a cute woven hand bag and a pink pure wool German made jacket. It had silver buttons (not my metal colour – I’m a gold gal for Spring), but I still bought it anyway knowing that I could purchase gold buttons along the way and change them.

Sewing is such fun that it should never be confined to a 4 walls studio – its always been my dream to SEW ON THE ROAD – so I am living my dream! I will dedicate a full blog post to this later, sharing like minded folk that sew and create on the open road and waters.

SEWING IT UP IN SPAIN

I used a vintage STYLE pattern – I like the loose style and the simplicity of the sew. It consists of a FRONT, BACK and F & B facings. I used bias binding on the green top and facings on the silk top. The sleeve is ‘grown on’ which saves on a sleeve pattern.

Limited space means you have to be inventive with equipment: Tins of beans, tuna, coconut milk are used as pattern weights.

Binding and thread was purchased at Julian Lopez, Alicante. Perfect colour matches. See more on Spanish fabric shops in a previous blog.

Sewing commenced in Alicante and was completed in 2 hours. The heat was on to complete it as sewing is best done in the coolness of the early morning.

I brought my Singer 221 Featherweight machine on the road with me. It’s small but mighty! With the bobbin wound and machine threaded, sewing commenced. Sewing has to be done in the morning or evening as it just gets too hot.

Since the top was purchased en France, it was only fitting to sew it using French seams! I love French seams even though it involves a lot more steamy pressing.

The bias binding was used as a facing on the armholes and neckline and I kept the original overlock and double-turned hem saving a process.

I loved this style so much I made another one in a different fabric – repurposing a silk scarf – more on that another day.

SEWING ON THE GO – WHAT I USE

Sewing in a smaller space should never mean your sewing is limited – just prep up more before you go. For some other styles I am sewing I cut the cloth out in my previous studio. This top was small and meant I could cut on the extendable table.

Pressing – I use my DURONIC Travel Steam Iron. Its small but it packs a pressing punch. My ironing board is foldable and sturdy.

If space is really tight a foldable ironing mat does a great job – I recommend this one.

I forgot to pack my sleeve roll so I made a makeshift one using a rolled up towel and slipped a cotton sock over it! It worked a treat. However if you do want the real thing – here’s the one I recommend.

Sewing – My sewing machine is a fabulous Singer Featherweight which my mum used. It is used by many sewers, especially quilters who travel. I recommend this Brother AE1700 machine for travel : it is the perfect size and weight for a smaller space and fits in an overhead aircraft locker just remove the needle first!

Powering up – On the road I never ‘hook up’ to EHU electric, instead I use solar panels and a power bank. The wattage on a sewing machine is very low and I sew for an hour and the power bank will only go down by 2%. The mini steam iron will use up the power more. These are investments but reap the rewards pretty quick in saving on energy costs.

Colour and Cloth teach all levels of Sewing Courses and Workshops so no matter what level you are at, there is no better time to start than now. New course dates released 30th June.