D.I.Y Capelets for the Summer Evening chill...Brrrrr

Quick & Slick D.I.Y Fashion project

Hot! hot! weather Caplet with bedazzled details

If I had free reign I would make one in bold intricate "green as fresh grass" lace to top off

a 50's whirly circle skirt

Need Advice? Contact tailor.mademtl@gmail.com

Spring inspirations close to the heart

It's been a life long passion of mine to teach others to sew,make & create for themselves,I started mixing and matching patterns & projects and recycling old to new clothing when I was 14 years old and ever since then it's been the main source of my daily inspiration. I have been so lucky to help my students find their focus,skill, motivation and creative self.
-Nicole

My radiant student Orla https://twitter.com/OrlaJohannes

Gift Certificates available for Private Fashion Sewing Courses

Private Beginner Sewing course 
Gift Certificates 
available now for the aspiring Seamstress!

*I started sewing when I was 12 years old and I haven't looked back since.
I can't imagine my life without this, the ability to shape,stitch,re-d

o & create textiles & clothes.

There is no better time to start than the present, I may have been doing it ...for a very long time but I never stop learning & discovering new aspects about sewing.
Anyone can do this, you just have to at least try it once to understand the work behind everything you wear.

-Nicole
fairyesque.studio@gmail.com

Sheerness & the lake

Adjective:

Nothing other than; unmitigated (used for emphasis): "she giggled with sheer delight". There's something riveting & revealing about wearing sheer fabrics. For me I love the drama of  all the tails of fabric flying behind me. I was talking to a student of mine Jas about the new fixation with this style, We talked about how it suited any body type or character, it's like we didn't have to hide behind layers of heavy fabric but to be free flowing.  I brought up the bubble skirt/dress phenomenon, her being almost 15 years younger hadn't really experienced the longevity of the voluminous fabric bubbles. I remembered feeling like a walking tomato.  I've never had a sleek figure, it leans towards the curvy side. So I am drawn to the sheerness & the elegance of it. This Summer in honor of sheerness, I made a Off the shoulder Floral dress with a matching strapless slip for a summer event and I have been making dress after dress of pure lightness. .................................................... Il ya quelque chose rivetiing et révélant au sujet du port tissus transparents. Pour moi, j'aime le drame de toutes les queues de tissu de vol derrière moi. Je parlais à un étudiant de Jas la mine sur la fixation du nouveau avec ce style, Nous avons parlé de la façon dont il convient tout type de corps ou de caractère, c'est comme si nous n'avons pas eu à se cacher derrière des couches de tissu lourd, mais pour s'écouler librement. J'ai fait monter la bulle jupe / robe phénomène, son être près de 15 ans plus jeune n'avait pas vraiment connu la longévité des bulles de tissu volumineux. Je me suis souvenu se sentir comme une tomate à pied.   Je n'ai jamais eu un chiffre élégant, il se penche vers le côté sinueux. Donc, je suis attiré par la verticalité et l'élégance de celui-ci. Cet été, en l'honneur de la verticalité, j'ai fait un arrêt de la robe épaule floral avec un bordereau de correspondance bustier pour un événement estival et j'ai été prise robe après robe de pure légèreté.

DIY COUTURE COACH FOR The SWAP Team

SWAPPing is the new shopping this Saturday & Sunday July 28th & 29th at Place Des Arts

I've been involved with the SWAP team for the past 5 years & some, I've always been on the design side of the swap so it was only natural for me to transform into their official DIY Couture Coach, the go-to person for all things, sewing,tailoring & upcycling.
 What does that mean?
You can contact me by email at nicole@theswapteam.org for any suggestions or questions regarding Upcycling,altering or re-styling your newly SWAPPED clothes.
It means you have direct contact with an experienced Fashion Designer(13 years) & Professional Seamstress/Tailor (23 years) to ask all of those questions to.
It's all about taking collaborative exchange & always making it stronger & more connected.
I will have a table at the next event on Saturday 28th (only), so after you've swapped all you precious pieces come by & chat with me.
........................................................


J'ai été impliqué avec l'équipe de SWAP pour les 5 dernières années et certains, j'ai toujours été du côté de conception de l'échange et il était donc naturel pour moi de traduire dans leur entraîneur officiel de bricolage Couture, le go-to personne pour toutes choses, la couture, la confection et upcycling.
  Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire?
Vous pouvez me contacter par courriel à nicole@theswapteam.org pour toutes suggestions ou des questions concernant Upcycling, modifier ou re-styling vos vêtements nouvellement échangés.
Cela signifie que vous avez un contact direct avec un créateur de mode expérimenté (13 ans) & Professional Couturière / Tailleur (23 ans) de demander à toutes ces questions à.
C'est une question de la prise d'échanges collaboratifs et toujours le rendant plus fort et plus connecté.
Je vais avoir une table lors du prochain événement le samedi 28 (seulement), donc après que vous avez échangé tous les morceaux que vous venez en précieux et chatter avec moi.

Is it possible that you make that yourself?

Images: http://nanciemwai.com & http://www.streetglamourtoday.com

Can I make all my clothes head to toe? Yes.
Do I always make all my clothes? Sometimes, when I'm inspired & have amazing fabrics.
Do I want to be uniquely MY style? Of course, who doesn't?
Can I find my size,colour and look in any store? Not usually, I usually have to alter the garment to my size(I think I am a commercial size 10 it always changes though) or the fabric isn't strong enough, it usually falls apart after a week.


Ask yourself the same questions, I always do.
It's what convinces me to make my own clothes more & more, I resist going to the store to find yet another piece of clothing that wasn't made for me and my body.
Even if the garment is low in cost, I still regret that I could have just bought some amazing fabric & sewn it myself.Surprisingly, you can buy fabric beginning at $2 a metre (a metre can make a midi skirt).

So this week, with my new obsession in the sheer garment trend (skirts,tops,dresses)
I decided to make a midi sheer tangerine skirt (just a little above the knee), it's the perfect length for a women of 5'2(or any height) and any lady who is curvy or petite.
I love the way the sheer shows the silhouette but leaves some mystery, it doesn't feel like your wearing a sack.
 I tend to layer it over a fitted dress or skirt/top underneath in any colour to complete the look.
After I made it I realized that I love the way it looks & how I feel.
but the best part is when I hop on my bike, I have my skirt fluttering behind me like a bird.

Happy Thursday!
Hope your planning your creative projects for the holiday weekend!

~Nicole

Whether it rains or not, I will be creative.

This morning, I am looking at my day as a chance to shape it into a full blown creative & constructive day.
Every morning is like this for me as an independent business owner/entrepreneur, I have no idea what to expect or what changes may happen in a moments notice but I always know I have put all my energy in the each day,week,month & year to be in this place.
Despite the multiple projects I do, it always comes down to one thing.
I am still learning.
So to shake up your week & hide from the rain, try this fun 50's style dress as a evening/after work project.
It's wonderfully ladylike and elegant (all the things I adore) from "Elegant Musings"

.If you have any questions, don't be shy send me a message at fairyesque.studio@gmail.com and ask me any questions you'd like!
I always love to hear from you.

Happy & Lively Monday!

~Nicole

My Sewing student, Pamela

My Beginner Sewing Student, Pamela created this wonderful dress (as well as other projects: pj pants and another tunic top). When I arrived at her place to begin the lesson I was greeted by her warm smile (& giggle) and a beautiful array of fabrics,decor and design,not to mention a dreamy house! I am so proud of her progress and impressed with her determination (even when little things happen..the machine unthreading or having to unstitch something she'd already sewn..+ more).
She has a new blog which I have been reading and laughing all the way through. She tells her thoughts and story is in such a way, I understand and relate to.
Peak into a day in the life of Pamela at "Thirtyone thoughts"

NEW "Tailor Made" Workshops (at a location near you!)

Couture Lab (Teens): (12 -16yrs+)

Flower hair clips & pins (2 hours): (Project: 3 accessories)
*all materials & supplies included
In this workshop, we will be learning quick tips & tricks on how to whip up your own hair accessory.You will be taught 3 different fabric flower variations with upcycling & new fabrics as well as adding clips & pins to complete the look and make it functional!
If you have a fabric or garment(that can be cut!) that inspires you, bring it to the workshop!

Upcycling Clothes into Accessories (bags) : (2 hours): (Project: 1 bag )
*all materials & supplies included
Do you have clothes that sit in your closet & collect dust? Here's another way to recycle them!
This workshop will teach you to take pre-exsisting garments of any kind & re-create them in accessories using basic stitching techniques,fabrics & trimming.

"Tailor Made by you" (Adult)

The Skirt: (8 hours)- 2 days(:
*all materials & supplies included
In this workshop, you will be using an easy commercial pattern of your choice(patterns included) to create a skirt. We will be teaching you all about understanding patterns,cutting, finishing and sewing techniques(zipper & hem).This is a project based workshop so you will be walking away or wearing your complete skirt at the end!

Mini Tutorial (2 hours):
*all materials & supplies included
In this session, you will have a chance to ask a professional about different tips & techniques for specific finishing details or help to complete an already started project.Here is a list of examples of techniques: zipper (invisble/regular), hems(rolled/invisible), finishing for garment (necklines,armholes,waistbands),hand stitching, ect.
Don't feel frustrated with your projects...find a way to finish it & wear it!

For more details please contact fairyesque.studio@gmail.com and ask for Nicole!

The S.W.A.P team blog post with me!

01 . 06 . 2011
by Tiffany Elton



A long time fashion designer, artist and now sewing teacher, Nicole has been involved in a number of Upcycling & Recycling workshops for the City of Montreal as well as collaborating with the non-profit organization The S.W.A.P team and is the designer/owner for the clothing line Fairyesque.

Now based on her whimsical flare for fashion, Nicole brings us beautiful hair accessories & brooches for her collection “Blue-eyed Coquette” available at shops around Montreal.
She has a great personal style – this lady can usually be seen riding her bike around Montreal in pretty skirts with just the right amount of crinoline, and beautiful accessories … I had to S.W.A.P. style with her:

1) What are your best ever thrift-ed or swapped find(s)?

Oh, I would say a pair of cowgirl boots from The S.W.A.P Team.


2) Where did you find them and how much did you spend?

I found them at a S.W.A.P Team event. I swapped for them, so I paid nothing!

3) Who is (are) your style inspirations and why?

Donna Summers in the 70’s, Goldfrapp and Anna friel’s costumes in “Pushing daisies”. Wonderful!

4) What finds are you still hunting for?

I am still looking for Turquoise leather belts and bags, intricate feminine top designs (that are not t-shirts). Not easy to find, but I will for sure some day!

To visit the S.W.A.P team site go to www.swapteam.org

"DESIGN & CREATE YOUR OWN UP-CYCLED ACCESSORY! "

Sewing Workshop at Ethik Boutique (6050 ST. HUBERT// CORNER OF BELLECHASSE)
This Saturday April 17th

Designer Nicole Picard (of Fairyesque & www.fairyesquestudio.blogspot.com) will show you how to hand-sew a beautiful hair/ brooch accessory using found & vintage fabrics in this 3-hour workshop.
Bring yourself & your favorite fabric pieces!
All supplies with be provided( Including ribbons, notions, buttons and extra fabric)
Cost: $50 per person (bring 2 friends and pay $30 per person)


ETHIK BGC is an incubator of ethical fashion, a mixture of boutique, gallery and entrepreneurial business centre.
ETHIK BGC un autre MODE d'agir
www.ethik-bgc.ca

"Blue-eyed Coquette" Hair Accessories designed by Nicole Picard

I have been buzzing around a little collecting buttons,ribbons & pieces of fabric to create my newest inspiration. "Blue-eyed Coquette" is a NEW collection of one-of-a-kind hair accessories (on pins,clips & combs!) available exclusively at General 54 (54 St.Viateur).

Visit this Vintage & Local designer boutique during Nuit blanche this Saturday February 27th.

NEW! Photoshoot for one of my lovely students (sewing & design)

A few weeks ago one of my talented student's (Erika Ferreira) created 3 pieces which were sewn & created under my guidance, for her fashion portfolio for Ryerson University. We then created a rogue photoshoot with more creative ladies in tow! Our model was my wildly hilarious friend, Aimee Davison of "100 hundred jobs" and the calming photographer was Emily Gan