We are thrilled to announce our Great Gatsby twenties costume contest winner….the ab-so-lute-ly fabulous Veronica Morales. Congratulations Veronica! We loved the embroidered and beaded tulle fabric that you chose, perfect for the decade that celebrated embellishments. We applaud your creative and innovative use of this fabric, your sweet polka-dot slip dress, and gorgeous accessories.

And to our other fabulous contestants: thank you so much for joining in the fun! We so enjoyed seeing the finished product of your designs, many of which we had the privilege to see in process.

A special thanks also to Glass Haus Kitchen and Paradox Pastry Richard Pippin, Shelby Eames, and featured artist Rosalba Valentino for making the evening a smashing success!

Examples of his work are currently on display at Les Fabriques.

We hope to see you Friday, June 7th, 5-9 pm at Les Fabriques’ Great Gatsby Open House.

Elastic girdles and bandeaux flattened the feminine curves into the “garçonne” (boyish) silhouette straight out of Paris. The “Flappers” look was born. This style’s simple cut made the perfect shape for mass production, providing the lower and middle class access to the Parisian couture influence. Egyptian, Greek and Asian influences were also for the first time incorporated into American fashion.

The fashion ensemble dominated all levels of dress. Shoes, hats, bags and coats all coordinated. Foreheads were covered by over-sized hats, turbans, headbands, and, of course the cloche. The “bobbed” hair cut was a necessity to fit under this new style of head dress.

The Twenties woman was “bejeweled” with an impressive array of accessories including bracelets, long ropes of pearls, cigarette holders, silver compacts, and “pochettes” (a small pouch-like purse). Coco Chanel influenced the birth of “costume” jewelry into fashion for the first time in history.

Are you ready to be “bejeweled”?! We hope this Twenties fashion overview has given you some ideas to get you thinking about designing your own Twenties look for our Great Gatsby Open House costume contest. For more inspiration take a look at our Great Gatsby Inspired pinterest page or stop in at Les Fabriques for fabulous fabrics and trims. We are offering a Roaring 20 (‘s) % discount off any purchase!

Join us Friday, June 7 from 5-9 pm as we celebrate our new downtown store and this decade of fashion decadence. Enjoy local food, wine, music and celebrate with a costume contest.

*content and images from 120 Great Fashion Designs 1900-1950, Dover Publications Inc.; Mineola, New York: 2001.

We agree ab-so-lute-ly! So we’re throwing a Great Gatsby themed party to celebrate our new downtown store.

Join us:
Les Fabriques’ Great Gatsby Open House
Friday, June 7
5-9 pm
1920′s costumes welcome
enjoy local food, wine, and music

Talk about the “cat’s meow”! Come dressed in your best 1920′s attire. Inspired to make your costume yourself? We’d love to help you with design ideas and will even give you a discount on your fabrics (save $10 off a $50 purchase). We have all sorts of new trims, perfect for your twenties look: fabulous fringe and feathers, lace, and embellished fabrics.

For inspiration take a look at our Great Gatsby Inspired pinterest page and check back for more ideas in the weeks to come.

We think Sophia’s choice of purple flannel lining makes for a fun surprise detail. Great job Martins – we can’t wait to see what you’ll make next!

Carla spent her snow days whipping up a wardrobe of dresses for her granddaughter. Here’s sweet baby Kennedy dressed in her new owl dress, perfect for a downtown outing (and a game of peek-a-boo!).

We are hosting numerous new beginner sewing workshops this Spring including patchwork quilting, umbrella making, and sewing some quick and easy tote bags. A majority of our City Market Tote Bag students below had never sewn before and left this workshop with a completed and beautiful tote bag!

Also new this spring, is our City Market Project series for kids on Saturday mornings. Each week features a new project (you can choose to attend one session or the whole series). Space is still available in upcoming sessions. During the first session last weekend, Lily made this fabulous Fox pillow that she designed from her own drawing.

We hope you’ll come sew with us (or stop by and show us what you’ve been sewing). For a list of our current classes, view our schedule online here.

Join us this Friday, April 5, from 5-7 pm at Les Fabriques as we host our first First Fridays Art Exhibit featuring the woodworking of artists Ann and Tom Jacobs. As artists and woodworkers, their goal is to combine art with everyday function and to find new life for salvaged and antique wood. The exhibit will include woodworking, sculpture, mirrors, tables, cutting boards and jewelry. Read more about Tom Jacobs Woodworking here.

All are welcome to attend!

April 20: Sew an Animal Pillow
April 27: Sew Doll Clothing
May 11: Sew an Apron (with ribbon ties and pockets)
May 18: Fashion Design Drawing
May 25: Quilt a Doll’s Blanket

Saturdays, from 10am – 12noon
$35 per session (materials included)
Go to the calendar page in order to sign up! (click on the Saturday(s) you want your child to attend and fill in the requested information).

We are now accepting registrations for Camp Stitch, our week-long summer sewing and fashion design camps for kids, ages 7-17. We offer a half and full-day option. See below for dates, schedules and information.

CAMP STITCH: Sewing
Campers will learn how to sew a simple skirt or pajama pants in this weeklong camp that will teach your child the fundamentals of machine sewing with a commercial pattern. Sign up for an additional week of camp to learn how to sew a tote bag or more clothing.

CAMP STITCH: Fashion Design
Campers will use their creativity in this weeklong camp to design a virtual line of clothing, while learning how to draw and paint for fashion design. Your child will also learn the basics of draping and patternmaking with hands-on sewing projects including doll clothes, accessories and up-cycled clothing.

CAMP SCHEDULE
June 10 – 14 (Ages 7 – 17)
June 17 – 21 (Ages 7 – 11)
June 24 – 28 (Ages 11 – 17)
July 1 – 5 (Ages 7 – 17)
July 8 –12 (Ages 11 – 17)
Sewing 10am – 1pm
Fashion Design 1:30pm – 4:30pm

July 15 – 19 (Ages 7 – 11)
July 22 – 26 (Ages 11 – 17)
July 29 – August 2 (Ages 7 – 11)
August 5 – 9 (Ages 7 – 17)
August 12 – 16 (Ages 7 – 11)
August 19 – 23 (Ages 7 – 17)
Fashion Design 10am – 1pm
Sewing 1:30pm – 4:30pm

COST
$225 half-day camp (any additional camp is discounted $25)
$425 full day camp (Pack a lunch for a 1/2 hour lunch break)
Campers receive a 15% discount for all supplies purchased for camp projects during enrollment, including the purchase of sewing machines.

SIGN UP TODAY!
Please sign up early as camps fill quickly! We only accept six students per camp to insure that each camper receives individual instruction and is provided with their own sewing machine. Register by phone with a credit card or stop by our NEW Downtown store located under the Water Street Garage. Looking forward to teaching your kids!

Oliver & S Fairy Tale Dress + Amy Butler’s Fairy Tale fabric = one sweet Easter Dress!

This gorgeous voile fabric and more now available at Les Fabriques!

New to the shop is Amy Butler’s gorgeous and soft voile fabrics from her Alchemy line. When I saw this fabric I knew I had found the perfect fabric to try out Oliver & S’ Fairy Tale dress pattern for my Easter sewing.

For your Easter sewing inspiration, check out our Pinterest page for fun online crafts and in-stock patterns.