Creative conversation with Maëva @sharivaree_claps

It is thanks to the tests of my customizable patterns that I met Maëva from the Instagram account @sharivaree_claps . I totally fell under the spell of her creative universe and the sublime dresses that she sewed with my patterns. I invite you to meet her!

Who are you and what brought you to sewing?

I am Maëva aka sharivaree_claps on Instagram. Norman in genes and in soul, I caught the sewing bug like many of us... by watching my grandmother when I was little. It really fascinated me. When I was older I wanted to be either a stylist or a veterinarian. Sewing has always been more or less present in my life.

4 years ago, for the second edition of the hack la mode competition organized by Louis Antoinette, I opened an Instagram account. That's really when I started the adventure. Obviously I already knew how to sew. But knowing how to sew doesn't mean knowing how to do everything. And on this point I learned a lot. Besides, I'm still learning with each new project.

What is your creative process: are you a go-getter or a thinker?

I am undoubtedly a go-getter, but over time (and bad experiences), I have learned to think more about my projects and especially to organize them better. I use two great tools for this. First, I AM Organized, thanks to which I was finally able to build a pattern library, a fabric library and a project binder. And second, your interactive tool which comes as a complement. It is perfect for all my personalized dresses. Concerning fabrics, I would say that I definitely lean towards impulse purchases, but I really try to reason my purchases to design a rather coherent wardrobe.

Do you practice other creative hobbies? Or do you want to try other hobbies besides sewing?

Knitting fascinated me for a while but I'm too eager to see the finished piece to start it. Embroidery fascinates me, but I'm too impatient. I love graphic arts. At the moment, I really want to return to my first love as a textile designer, pattern drawing.

What is the creation you are most proud of?

It's a bit of adulation for your house, but my personalized pineapple dress because, in addition to being an absolutely stunning model and an absolutely brilliant concept, I learned a lot thanks to this dress. First, I hated invisible zippers and I overcame my fear. Then in terms of technicality, I completely lined the bust in front and back so that I could easily wear it without a bra and have invisible finishes. And this crazy fabric, can we talk about it?

And on the contrary, can you tell us about your worst creative failure?

I have several, but the Safran pants with the Lola top are a total loser. I sewed the pants entirely and when I tried them on, in addition to being really tight in terms of size, the zipper (although good quality) came loose. What a disappointment! Especially since I had paid close attention to the measurements and my fabric was stretchy just as it should be. As for Lola, despite a toile, the blouse was really too small at the sleeves. Well yes because for the toile, I had made the sleeveless version. In short, I will not make Lola again. On the other hand, I really want to persevere with Safran but probably in an even higher-waisted version.

What are your favorite DIY addresses?

Tissustory . In addition to having a lot of nuggets, Delphine is adorable.
Mam'zelle fourmi . Especially for her sick collection of pretty jersey.
Rascol . For all haberdashery supplies.
And special dedication to GOTS publishers @amandinechadessolier @wefiletik @biotissus @cousubio @hysopetissus @mars_elle_fabrics

Well, you will have understood, there are a lot of brands that I like!

Which Instagram accounts inspire you?

Even though I don't really follow any fashion influencers anymore, there are a few accounts that I find really inspiring:
- I love Virginie's couture philosophy from Avril sur un fil . Mixing reason and passion speaks to me enormously.
- It is thanks to Bérangère from Couture et paillettes that I started sewing the Sirocco jumpsuit from Deer and doe. Her tutorials on Youtube are very accurate.
- Obviously there is Emma from Pop Addict Normandie . Apart from her world that I love and that really resembles her. She is one of the precious encounters made thanks to Instagram. Besides, I think we discuss our sewing projects almost every day...
- I have been following Élodie Blueberry 's account since she started testing the Deer and Doe patterns, which I am quite a fan of. I really like her world even if it is quite different from mine. This summer I was very happy to discover her Cassandre dress, which convinced me to sew my own.
- I love the super creative account of Tina_biard.ds . Her superb DIYs and other hacks are awesome. Always full of Pep's and vitamin colors.
- A few years ago, Caroline's account, Le salon des frivolités really helped me with great accuracy in accepting my body. Beauty has no size... There should not be a notion of small, normal or large size. I am clearly in favor of inclusive fashion for all sizes.
- Aurélie from Couture sauvage (formerly creator of the brand Chez machine pattern) is a gem whose new adventures I love following.
- Coline , who 10 years ago changed my life with her blog. Greenwashing was a revelation. And my life in slow mode (re)started to write itself.

If you were a material?

In theory, a GOTS-certified navy cotton crepe, in practice, a patterned cotton jersey (team committed sobriety vs. team colorful madness)

Fabric shopping online or in store?

Online with sample request.

If you were a boss?

A dress with multiple variations, graded for all sizes, from the smallest to the largest.

Paper or PDF format?

Pdf margins included printed in A0. I am a self-confessed lazybones.

If you were a technique?

Homemade starching for flowing fabrics, a real revelation.

Thank you Maëva!

Head over to her Instagram account to follow her sewing adventures @sharivaree_claps .