Toulouse: At the Salon des Loisirs Créatifs, sewing and knitting are in fashion
From October 13 to 16, the MEETT in Toulouse is hosting the 23rd edition of the Salon des Loisirs Créatifs. The opportunity to learn about “Do-It-Yourself”, the fact of creating objects yourself.
Make your own handbag, jewellery, or even clothes… The Salon des Loisirs Créatifs, which takes place at the MEETT in Toulouse from October 13 to 16, is the ideal meeting place for those who, out of curiosity or for ecological reasons, wishing to learn how to make their everyday objects, with their own hands. This Friday morning, many people from Toulouse were already coming to discover the exhibitors’ creations. The democratization of the “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) phenomenon in recent years could justify this influx. “During the first confinement, people took up sewing to make their masks, and wanted to continue,” says Caroline Poyer of “La Maison des Makers”. “Sewing is a basic soul, which always works. But macrame, patchwork (an activity that consists of assembling materials to create a pattern) was also very much appreciated,” she reports.
Around a round table, Maria, Blandine and Marie-Annick chat while embroidering fabric. This workshop is a first experience for some, an opportunity for others to improve their skills in embroidery. “It allows you to discover new techniques, while meeting new people! And then, it’s satisfying to do things yourself” launches one of them.
Knitting season is coming (even if it’s hard to believe)! Some visitors took advantage of this day to get a few balls of wool from Tiffany Otton, owner of a haberdashery. “People enjoy making their clothes because they can create unique pieces. In addition, today’s wool is of high quality. It’s no longer the sweater that you put in the washing machine and comes out all shrunken! says the exhibitor.
An ecological dimension
Reusable objects, designed with recycled materials. The art of “handmade” is also appreciated for its ecological side. Margot Barbier, one of the managers of the “COM’1idée” online store, offers kits for making eco-responsible accessories for infants. “We have wipes, washable and reusable cottons,” explains the young woman. A few steps from the latter, Isabelle Horion, offers products that are original to say the least: cardboard furniture! “I collect boxes from shops, in the street, and I transform them into objects of everyday life,” says the latter, while brandishing a sign on which she underlines that “each year, more than 400 million tons of paper and cartons are consumed around the world”.