The design for the final piece comes from the Lesage archives and was originally a sample created by Maison Lesage for Yves Saint Laurent. It featured decorative plates in whites, beiges, creams and ecru that overlapped each other on a dresser display. To make the design for the course the colours were changed and the border was added, with careful attention being paid to the techniques and materials included in each section. The finished piece is approximately 40cm by 50cm.
I was given a heavy package of materials that included spools of pastel coloured silk thread, a rainbow selection of cotton threads, embroidery floss, chenille and velvet thread, ribbons, gold and silver metallic thread and foil. There were swatches of gold lamé and raspberry red, orange and brown leather folded in silk paper. Twelve tiny plastic pockets of sequins in turquoise, blue, grey, pink, coral, red, yellow, silver, gold and transparent colours. And beads in pink, raspberry red, gold, orange, turquoise and crystal. Tiny jewels sparkled in ice-blue, green, turquoise, red, crystal and coffee colours. Gold braid trimmings were neatly coiled and beautiful feathers were carefully tucked into pockets.
I opened the folder containing the pattern and marvelled at the cheerful drawings initially but I became overwhelmed as more and more brightly illustrated pages emerged. As the piece is so large and detailed the pattern is displayed on 14 A3 pages that show the front and reverse view. The legend seemed incomprehensible and just as I was beginning to panic the teacher came over and we began to mount the frame. A hundred questions, doubts and worries were darting through my head at lightning speed but they were soon silenced as I concentrated on trying to remember how to mount the frame...
Textile Tours of Paris
Join Rebecca on a tour of Paris’ charming haberdasheries nestled deep in the winding streets of Le Sentier, the city’s historic textile and fashion district. Enjoy a Sunday morning with Rebecca on a Flea Market Tour as she guides you through the labyrinth alleys of Paris’ oldest marché-aux-puces to uncover hidden treasure troves filled with vintage lace, linen, passementerie, golden threads and gossamer lingerie. To find out more visit Textile Tours of Paris.