Behind the scenes of the creation of my patterns

Today, I want to take you behind the scenes of the creation of my sewing pattern collections. The next new releases are in the works and are scheduled for release next month. Needless to say, I'm right in the middle of it!

Creating a pattern collection is a long and exciting process, with many steps that I'd like to share with you here. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already seen a few snippets in my stories... but today, I'm sharing much more. Ready to dive behind the scenes? Follow me!

The inspiration

There's no shortage of ideas! All year long, I collect images of dresses, couture details, and ready-to-wear silhouettes that inspire me on Pinterest and in my mood boards. The patterns to customize always follow the same structure with an assembly seam adjusted to the waist, I always have my eye drawn to this type of garment and I immediately see if it could be a good pattern.

I also make sure to offer a variety of shapes and fill in the gaps in existing designs. My world remains true to itself: timeless, elegant, minimalist... often with the idea that you can transform my patterns into a wedding dress.

So it's not the ideas that are lacking, but rather the time to make them happen!

Patronage

Since I started modeling over ten years ago, my method has evolved considerably. Today, I work on a computer to trace my patterns, but I remain attached to a craftsmanship approach, with flat cutting as the basis. I also sometimes mold certain pieces directly on the mannequin, especially when it comes to refining details or testing particular volumes.

One of the major challenges in creating this collection is ensuring perfect consistency between all the patterns to be customized. Once you've found the size that suits you, it has to be reliable across all the models. It's a real gymnastics! All the tops have to be able to be assembled with all the bottoms, the sleeves have to be compatible with each top... A real construction game, but it's precisely within these constraints that my creativity flourishes. I love this kind of challenge!

Next comes the toile stage, and it's far from trivial. For each model, I make prototypes in size 40, size 52, and my own size. This allows me to validate the volumes, the proportions, and to guarantee a harmonious gradation. This means a lot of toiles to cut, sew, adjust... but always with enthusiasm and meticulousness ;-)

The files

Once the tracings are validated, I have one essential step left: making them clear, readable, and educational. This is where the meticulous, and admittedly somewhat meditative, work begins. I check each size, add legends, seam allowances, assembly marks, and more. The checklist is long, but it's this attention to detail that guarantees a beautiful sewing experience for you. For a complete collection, this step generally takes me two to three days, focused behind my screen, adjusting each line with precision.

Next comes the more visual part: photographing the assembly steps. If you've already sewn a pattern to personalize, you're probably familiar with the pink background and the white fabric with black polka dots, chosen to clearly distinguish the right side from the wrong side of the fabric. It's my little visual signature! Even though I love sewing, I must admit that I often procrastinate at this stage... Having to photograph each step, from the right angle, thinking about the light, the sharpness, the thread sticking out (or not)... it makes the exercise a little more laborious. But in the end, it's always a satisfaction to see the tutorial take shape, image after image.

The prototypes

This is clearly the moment when everything becomes concrete! How am I going to show you these new products? With which pattern compositions? And in which fabrics? The choice is never easy.

I always start by taking out my fabric stash to see which ones I imagine going well with these new designs. Then, I complete with a few orders from my favorite shops like Atelier Brunette or Stragier. I try to keep a certain consistency in the colors, but in the end, it's quite instinctive. I always come back to my personality in the choice of fabrics: flowers, navy blue, cotton, viscose... faithful to the world of customizable patterns.

Then I embark on a real sewing marathon, which often lasts at least two weeks. And it's a real joy to sew something other than toiles!

Communication

My files are ready, the prototypes are sewn... All that's left is for me to take beautiful photos and videos to reveal all these new products to you. I work in DIY mode in my living room, or places that I rent by the day, with a simple background, a tripod and a lot of patience. My visuals are always very minimalist, it's my trademark. This choice allows me to remain faithful to the aesthetic of the site: refined, sober, and entirely focused on showcasing hand-sewn creations.

Next comes the entire post-production phase: retouching photos, editing videos, designing Instagram posts and reels, updating the online store... A busy, creative process, exclusively on the computer. I generally devote about ten days to it.

Then comes the big moment of the launch: An explosive mix of stress, enthusiasm and adrenaline!