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| Photo by Joost De Cock |
I got the Eurostar with my friend Freya and headed straight to the Eiffel Tower, where we joined about 25 sewing bloggers and readers from around the world - from the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Finland, the US and Canada (did I miss anyone?). I love blogging meet ups - it's always great to catch up with old chums and meet new ones. I love the fact that you can walk right up to someone you've never met before and start touching up their outfit, rubbing the fabric between your fingers and sighing, "Ooh... silk habotai..." Ordinarily that might be a creepy thing to do to a complete stranger, but luckily people who sew are (for the most part) exceedingly lovely and friendly.
Plus, who else will march round fabric shop after fabric shop with you for two days without getting bored? No one! Many years ago, I lived in Paris for a year, but I wasn’t into sewing back then, so I had no idea what to expect from the fabric shopping scene when I returned this time. Mon dieu, it was amazing!
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| Tea at Maison Sajou |
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| Meeting one of our lovely stockists, Carine from Lil Weasel |
Carmen organised a cracking schedule for us on day 1, complete with maps, Champagne pizza dinner (you can't get better than that) and amazing goody bags, which she'd machine embroidered with our names - so sweet!
I stayed in an apartment that Kelly booked for us, along with Freya, Emmie and - all the way from Nashville, Tennessee - Lauren! I love those ladies. Not only are they AWESOME to hang out with, but they are so colourful that you can't lose them in a crowd.
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| Idea for a programme - Eight sewing bloggers and a baby |
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| Vanessa and Annabelle from Anna Ka Bazaar / Julie from Jolies Bobines |
This is what I came back with. How incredible is that hand-print fabric? I'm thinking it'd make a super cheeky/creepy coat lining.
Planning a fabric shopping trip to Paris? This is where we went.
The trip whetted my appetite to go on more international fabric shopping trips. You coming? Where shall we go next?
Wow! What a fantastic meet-up! Every bit of it makes me bite my knuckles with envy ;) haha
ReplyDeleteAthens, Athens, Athens next please!!!
It is really fun this!
ReplyDeletePlease come to the US!! Might I suggest NYC?
ReplyDeleteLovely post Tilly! I had such a great couple of days with you all :) We did do well with the bright colours didn't we - your jacket certainly helped us not lose you as well! I'm definitely on for the same again next year ;)
ReplyDeleteMy oh my, looks like it was a fabulous trip. I am currently in East Asia, and fabric markets here are amazing! I'll be going to Tokyo around New Years, textile tourism included, join me! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect trip!
ReplyDeleteI love fabric shopping in Paris! SO MUCH FUN.
ReplyDeleteI was recently in Saigon in Vietnam and also had a fantastic time - it's so much fun to be able to seek out hidden areas of a city that tourists wouldn't usually go to. Here's a little writeup of my time there:
http://www.cashmerette.com/2014/06/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know.html
Looks like you had an amazing trip. The 'handy' fabric looks brilliant for a lining. I'd be opening my coat flasher mac style at every opportunity.
ReplyDeleteso awesome:) hope you didn't empty the bank account on fabric!
ReplyDeleteIt seams you had a great time in Paris! What about Athens next time. Plenty of fabric shops here and even more historical attractions!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes yes, please share the shops you've visited! I'm planning a trup to Paris in february.... Yay!
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest Hong Kong! An immense selection and Shenzhen just over the border. Might have to schedule in a trip to Paris soon, it looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful meet-up! I think there is nothing I love more than fabric shopping travels!!! And as far as I can say, Milano is my favourite city so far. Its shops are amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt was very cool to meet you. Hope to do that again soon. We were thinking about Belgium next year. You in?
ReplyDeleteIt was loads of fun to meet up with everyone, and I came back to the U.S. overloaded with fabric! If you come stateside, I recommend fabric shopping in L.A., where there is a giant Mood Fabrics and a U.S. branch of The Fabric Store, full of New Zealand merino jersey and other well-curated fabrics. Not to mention the vintage fabrics at International Silk and Woolens... Hm, better get going on my stash before I go back!
ReplyDeleteLoved my time in Paris! Although I had to share my room with this really weird girl.....
ReplyDeleteOoo this looks like so much fun! And in Paris! Can't wait to see what you do with all the fabric!
ReplyDeleteAhh, lovely Paris! I'm a brit living in Los Angeles, and while I love coming home to go berserk in haberdashery shops (they are a dying breed over here) buying up buttons and bits & bobs, I think you need to check out the L.A Fashion district - as jetsetsewing.com said above! There is an overwhelming amount of good fabric available. That, and where else can you can grab some chicken and waffles?
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