What if you swapped out plastic, bulky gifts for a creative four-hands activity? More and more Parisian artisans now welcome beginners eager to try their hand at sewing, woodworking or leather crafting, and to introduce children to the magic of making things themselves.
Learn to sew your new favorite cuddly toy (Paris 11th arrondissement)
The hand-sewn dachshund, offered by Flanelle, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. LOU GLARNER
After more than 20 years as a designer in the textile industry, Lou Glarner opened Flanelle, her sewing workshop near Faidherbe-Chaligny in the 11th arrondissement, to help aspiring makers master the needle and sewing machine. Eight years on, she still relishes sharing her textile expertise and creativity. With the holiday season approaching, she is offering a new family-friendly workshop focused on making a small cuddly toy. For two hours, children ages 5 and up choose their fabric, trace, cut and sew their own dachshund – a cute little dog that is bound to win you over. No need to worry if dexterity is lacking; Lou keeps a watchful eye and helps the youngest participants. Stuffed with wadding to make it extra soft, the cuddly toy goes home under the arm of its new owner – who is more than a little proud of having used their small hands to bring a new friend to life. The cherry on top: All fabrics used are secondhand finds, so every creation is unique.
