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Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons in Couture from the Sewing Cafe
From the trendy Sweat Shop—the first sewing café in Paris—a collection of cool sewing, knitting, and crochet projects to inspire community and creativity!
The Sweat Shop Book brings the namesake Paris Sweat Shop founded by Martena Duss and Sissi Holleis to North America with more than 50 DIY fashion and home projects, including instructions and more than 200 helpful, inspiring full-color photographs. The first "cafe couture" sewing shop in Paris, the Sweat Shop was named to highlight the questionable nature in which store-bought clothing is sometimes made. Instead of rewarding dubious labor practices, the Sweat Shop and The Sweat Shop Book inspire crafters to make something unique with their own sweat equity and creativity.
Crafters meet at the cafe and share ideas while renting equipment by the hour. In addition, classes teach novices how to sew, knit, crochet, and much more. Translating the Sweat Shop experience into book form, The Sweat Shop Book features experts in the Parisian fashion industry as they offer "master classes" to share their secrets and techniques.
With help from experts such as Madame Vava Dudu, who creates looks for Lady Gaga, and fashion stylist Sonia Rykiel, crafters of every skill level will learn how to mend a seam, make a dress from a pattern, and design and create something from scratch inside The Sweat Shop Book . Additionally, the book includes recipes for cafe fare, Duss and Holleis's Paris picks, and a French and English glossary. Bring Paris's couturiers home, learn secrets from the pros, and rediscover the joy of handmade, homemade fashion with The Sweat Shop Book .
The Sweat Shop Book brings the namesake Paris Sweat Shop founded by Martena Duss and Sissi Holleis to North America with more than 50 DIY fashion and home projects, including instructions and more than 200 helpful, inspiring full-color photographs. The first "cafe couture" sewing shop in Paris, the Sweat Shop was named to highlight the questionable nature in which store-bought clothing is sometimes made. Instead of rewarding dubious labor practices, the Sweat Shop and The Sweat Shop Book inspire crafters to make something unique with their own sweat equity and creativity.
Crafters meet at the cafe and share ideas while renting equipment by the hour. In addition, classes teach novices how to sew, knit, crochet, and much more. Translating the Sweat Shop experience into book form, The Sweat Shop Book features experts in the Parisian fashion industry as they offer "master classes" to share their secrets and techniques.
With help from experts such as Madame Vava Dudu, who creates looks for Lady Gaga, and fashion stylist Sonia Rykiel, crafters of every skill level will learn how to mend a seam, make a dress from a pattern, and design and create something from scratch inside The Sweat Shop Book . Additionally, the book includes recipes for cafe fare, Duss and Holleis's Paris picks, and a French and English glossary. Bring Paris's couturiers home, learn secrets from the pros, and rediscover the joy of handmade, homemade fashion with The Sweat Shop Book .
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2011
6 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 14, 2011
Received from: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication date: November 15, 2011
Received Via: NetGalley.com
I love this book not because it's about sewing but because it inspired me to do something that I loved. It also gave me the idea that I can encourage and help others who share these passion to continue on doing it.
This book is perfect for those who loves art, crafts, sewing and fashion. I also encourage all those who want to start a business doing something they love to read this book because it contains some of the recipes the "Sweat Shop Paris" use to be successful. It contain some handy sewing designs with DIY step by step instructions, it also contains recipes of the food they serve there. Lastly, it also contains some of the must visit places in paris where you can find some good deals like vintage stores, markets and shops that the authors found while looking for items to be used in their shop.
All in all, its one cool and informative book. Something I would suggest all budding fashionistas to have. :)
Publication date: November 15, 2011
Received Via: NetGalley.com
I love this book not because it's about sewing but because it inspired me to do something that I loved. It also gave me the idea that I can encourage and help others who share these passion to continue on doing it.
This book is perfect for those who loves art, crafts, sewing and fashion. I also encourage all those who want to start a business doing something they love to read this book because it contains some of the recipes the "Sweat Shop Paris" use to be successful. It contain some handy sewing designs with DIY step by step instructions, it also contains recipes of the food they serve there. Lastly, it also contains some of the must visit places in paris where you can find some good deals like vintage stores, markets and shops that the authors found while looking for items to be used in their shop.
All in all, its one cool and informative book. Something I would suggest all budding fashionistas to have. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2013
Book starts with an introduction to a sewing cafe in Paris, The Sweat Shop, which apparently has since closed since the book was published. That probably tainted my rating because it seems a shame that it closed down. I've been wanting to go to a sewing cafe in Europe as soon as I heard about them opening. Europe, sewing, tea, and cake - what's not to love? ... Anyway, the owners were interesting to read about, but after the several page introduction to the Sweat Shop cafe, the book describes how to hand-make some patterns, but my math skills are so poor that I'd rather buy a pattern. Also they were not things I was very interested in making.
December 29, 2015
This is a quirky little book that is part craft book and part a local's guide to Paris. The patterns are inspiring and unique and the tidbits of information paint a wonderful picture of the city.
April 30, 2024
Part travelogue, part cafe culture (a few good recipes), good beginner sewing and knitting projects that include how to draft patterns. There are many very cool ideas of how to use (and reuse) leather and worn items. The title is meant as a bit of a shocker - sustainability is a part of their goal and it includes elimination of sweatshops that abuse the people who make the cheap goods. Cool bag projects, some decor, edgy clothing.
December 2, 2011
In what's described as the heart of Paris, there is a place called Sweat Shop. It's a cafe couture, you go and rent a sewing machine, or take a class, have a sweet, and sew and socialize.
This book isn't about high couture sewing techniques, making slopers, darts and seam techniques. It's more indie, more personal. It's about designing unique and artistic clothes for yourself.
It really thrills my hippie D.I.Y. soul.
The introduction talks about where the idea came from, some history of the area the shop is in, and photos of neighboring shops with descriptions that will make you wish you were in Paris.
The index has a rating system for how difficult the projects are, and the ratings are accurate, but there is nothing in this book that my 16 year old daughter couldn't do. In the case of the hardest projects which have 3 triangles beside them, there are new techniques to try, but they are all explained well enough that she could make them.
The projects have instructions for drafting patterns and are all photographed and explained so that as long as you know how to use a sewing machine, you can learn the techniques, start with the simpler projects and work your way up to things like the sewn then painted Todti's Jacket. There is knitting, embellishment, sewing, shirring, bead weaving on a cardboard loom, and lots of other fun techniques in this book.
My daughter and I went over this one together, because I was curious to see what would excite her. She liked Sandrine's Flapper Trousers which are lace embellished overalls. I liked the 80s feel to Todti's Jacket and the idea of using it as a canvas. I loved the Plaid Blanket Cape because it reminds me a lot of the drama of my mother's capes, and the easy fit of the Tulip Dress for spring, she preferred The Martena floppy hat, and the Banana Bag which is a very wearable belt bag that doesn't at all look like those awful pouches from the past. We both loved the Quick-Knit Fishnet Sweater for a comfortable look.
A lot of the projects in the book can be made using thrift store and garage sale finds or things that might already be in your closet unworn.
The end of the book is full of recipes so you can really give yourself the feel of Sweat Shop at home with treats like Sissy's Chocolate Cake, made without flour and so pretty with a lace like dusting of powdered sugar. For a more spicy treat for people who don't like chocolate as well, Nordic Cardamon Bread.
Make a treat, brew some coffee, invite some friends and their sewing machines over.
[I received a complimentary copy of the book to review on my craft blog- Don't Eat the Paste. My reviews are always my honest opinion]
This book isn't about high couture sewing techniques, making slopers, darts and seam techniques. It's more indie, more personal. It's about designing unique and artistic clothes for yourself.
It really thrills my hippie D.I.Y. soul.
The introduction talks about where the idea came from, some history of the area the shop is in, and photos of neighboring shops with descriptions that will make you wish you were in Paris.
The index has a rating system for how difficult the projects are, and the ratings are accurate, but there is nothing in this book that my 16 year old daughter couldn't do. In the case of the hardest projects which have 3 triangles beside them, there are new techniques to try, but they are all explained well enough that she could make them.
The projects have instructions for drafting patterns and are all photographed and explained so that as long as you know how to use a sewing machine, you can learn the techniques, start with the simpler projects and work your way up to things like the sewn then painted Todti's Jacket. There is knitting, embellishment, sewing, shirring, bead weaving on a cardboard loom, and lots of other fun techniques in this book.
My daughter and I went over this one together, because I was curious to see what would excite her. She liked Sandrine's Flapper Trousers which are lace embellished overalls. I liked the 80s feel to Todti's Jacket and the idea of using it as a canvas. I loved the Plaid Blanket Cape because it reminds me a lot of the drama of my mother's capes, and the easy fit of the Tulip Dress for spring, she preferred The Martena floppy hat, and the Banana Bag which is a very wearable belt bag that doesn't at all look like those awful pouches from the past. We both loved the Quick-Knit Fishnet Sweater for a comfortable look.
A lot of the projects in the book can be made using thrift store and garage sale finds or things that might already be in your closet unworn.
The end of the book is full of recipes so you can really give yourself the feel of Sweat Shop at home with treats like Sissy's Chocolate Cake, made without flour and so pretty with a lace like dusting of powdered sugar. For a more spicy treat for people who don't like chocolate as well, Nordic Cardamon Bread.
Make a treat, brew some coffee, invite some friends and their sewing machines over.
[I received a complimentary copy of the book to review on my craft blog- Don't Eat the Paste. My reviews are always my honest opinion]
April 18, 2018
A place where fellow crafters can get together, informally? To be able to enjoy others' projects while sipping on delightful cups of coffee and tea? Finding yourself tucked within Paris? PRICELESS! I love the concept of Sweat Shop Paris. I live in a Midwestern town, and nothing like this exists- for hundreds of miles, I suppose! While reading this book and perusing the dozens of pages of history, people, photographs, instructions, and recipes....I dreamt I could be there and sit cozily in one of the eclectic looking chairs and rent one of the machines to work on my own sewing project. The style of the projects weren't totally my cup of tea, however, I LOVED several of them- the main one being on page 100. Oh, my, wow...the CAPE. I have that at the TOP of my sew-to-do list. All I can think of while I look at this sample project is this is my dream cape. Perfection. Other projects such as the sleep mask or the house booties are cute, simple things that would be good for an afternoon, or even to try with my homeschooling third grader who loves crafting as well.
I enjoyed seeing the little details through the book that mimicked the various creative stitches of our modern sewing machines. The step by step instructions for the projects were thought out and complete. Photographs exceptional. I enjoyed also reading about the creators of the projects shown in the book. The recipes at the end of the book seemed so delicious. Extras at the end of the book include a nice glossary and some top picks of stores in Paris.
Inspiring, eclectic, comfy....those are the three words I would choose to describe this book and what it made me feel. Definitely one I would recommend to a seamstress, knitter...or anyone who appreciates Paris!
I received this book from Net Galley, complimentary, in exchange for a review of my own words and opinion.
I enjoyed seeing the little details through the book that mimicked the various creative stitches of our modern sewing machines. The step by step instructions for the projects were thought out and complete. Photographs exceptional. I enjoyed also reading about the creators of the projects shown in the book. The recipes at the end of the book seemed so delicious. Extras at the end of the book include a nice glossary and some top picks of stores in Paris.
Inspiring, eclectic, comfy....those are the three words I would choose to describe this book and what it made me feel. Definitely one I would recommend to a seamstress, knitter...or anyone who appreciates Paris!
I received this book from Net Galley, complimentary, in exchange for a review of my own words and opinion.
December 18, 2016
Reviewed from final publication *my egalley expired, so I had to link+ a print copy from the library.
nonfiction (sewing/knitting/baking). For intermediate sewists/knitters or perhaps fabric artists--the instructions given aren't great for beginners, but someone who knows her way around a sewing machine and who is comfortable drafting her own patterns should be able to figure out what to do. As for the projects themselves--I wouldn't bother making most of them, much less be caught wearing them, but if you are the sort of edgy person who enjoys that sort of thing... The jacket and the blanket cape actually look wearable, but the jacket would be too much work if I wanted to add a liner (instructions for which are not given), and the blanket cape would require some finishing details (such as a lining, some finished hems and probably some fancier welt pockets instead of the patch pockets).
There are some tasty looking recipes at the back, including some matcha cookies and a flourless chocolate cake (with ground almond flour).
nonfiction (sewing/knitting/baking). For intermediate sewists/knitters or perhaps fabric artists--the instructions given aren't great for beginners, but someone who knows her way around a sewing machine and who is comfortable drafting her own patterns should be able to figure out what to do. As for the projects themselves--I wouldn't bother making most of them, much less be caught wearing them, but if you are the sort of edgy person who enjoys that sort of thing... The jacket and the blanket cape actually look wearable, but the jacket would be too much work if I wanted to add a liner (instructions for which are not given), and the blanket cape would require some finishing details (such as a lining, some finished hems and probably some fancier welt pockets instead of the patch pockets).
There are some tasty looking recipes at the back, including some matcha cookies and a flourless chocolate cake (with ground almond flour).
October 29, 2011
Informal, addictive and nostalgia-inducing! Recommended for people into crafts and hobbies, or even those who like myself, love to look at the creative processes.
April 21, 2012
I loved the idea of this book, but most of the designs I think I'd like to look at rather than wear. Interested to see more books like this though.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews