Replies

1. 
   Kilroywashere | Oct 10, 2005 06:24pm | #1

   There is a cathedral in Sweden - I think it is in Stockholm, where two of the earliest complete suits of clothing can be viewed.  They are described in Janet Arnold's Patterns of ...  (History?  Costume?)  The thin, extra long books, anyway.  Apparently some Swedish Nobleman and his son were murdered back around 15-something, and the widow made a bequest to the cathedral, requiring that the clothes that they were stabbed to death through always be on display.  So that the murderers (who I believe escaped justice through their connections with the crown) would always be held accountable.  A bit macabre, but if you are in to period costume, an opportunity not to be missed!!! 

1. 
   chopchop | Oct 10, 2005 06:32pm | #2

   Thank you, Kilroywashere, I have Arnold's book and will put your wonderful suggestion in my travel book! I appreciate your reply.

2. 
   woodruff | Oct 10, 2005 10:06pm | #3

   For Paris fabrics, check this out:

   http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/board.pl?t=6234

1. 
   chopchop | Oct 11, 2005 01:17am | #4

   Thank you, I've put it in my book!

3. 
   jkimes | Oct 13, 2005 04:16am | #5

   I can't comment on Sweden, but can on Paris.

   If it's open, go to the Costume and Fashion Museum (Musee de la Mode et du Costume de la Ville de Paris).  We've been to Paris 3 times, and this museum has been closed every time. Maybe next time...

   If you are big into museums, definitely buy one of the museum passes. You can purchase them at any of the museums for 1, 3 or 5 consecutive days, and you get to use the group entrance (MUCH shorter lines). We have visited the Louvre, Dorsay (my favorite) Carnavalet (history of Paris), and Art and Science to name a few. Of course, you can spend a week in the Louvre alone.

   http://www.museums-of-paris.com/

   If you are in Paris on a weekend, take some time to sit in one of the parks and watch the families. It makes for a nice break (get a glass of wine from one of the kiosks) and is fun to see the non-tourist part of a city.

   Enjoy!

   Juliette

1. 
   chopchop | Oct 13, 2005 03:45pm | #6

   Thank you very much. I will be in Paris on a Sunday so, if it's lovely weather, I'll be in the park with a glass of wine.................

1. 
   DeniseM | Oct 13, 2005 11:25pm | #7

   There is a wonderful couture fabric shop called Tissus Dams on a little street in the Montmarte area not far from the Sacre Coeur . I don't have the address but it's been listed here and if you look up fabric stores under Pattern Review I'm sure there is a review there. There are a whole collection of fabric shops in that area. I only shop at TD , though, as it's the best to be had. Even Bobbie Carr said it was her favorite Paris shop.

1. 
   chopchop | Oct 14, 2005 05:04am | #8

   Thank you, thank you and thank you! I have only four shopping/museum days in Paris and I've already made up my mind to spend Sunday (part of) sitting in a park and drinking red wine........ just sounds so delicious! So, I really don't want to waste my time in junky fabric stores. You've been a big help.

1. 
   Bernie1 | Oct 14, 2005 02:42pm | #9

   I was trying to lay my hands on the rollodex that has the address for Tissus Dams but I moved and can't find it. But I think if you check the phone book in your hotel or ask them to look it up you'll get there. I wish you luck in your park-sitting. I've never been able to manage it in all the times I've been there. There's just so much to do in Paris. Did you know that they used to move the guillotine around the city and there's a spot in the Place de la Concorde where it once stood?

2. 
   woodruff | Oct 22, 2005 06:01am | #10

   Tissus Dam, 46 rue d"Orsel

3. 
   domesticallygifted | Oct 28, 2005 12:47pm | #11

   I hope you haven't gone yet!  Because you need to check out the yarn selection at La Samaritain, the department store along the Seine.  It's huge, and the salespeople are helpful, if you even try the littlest bit to speak French.  And there's a tiny yarn store on General LeClerc, near the intersection of Rue D'Alesia.  I don't remember the  name, but it's in a flatiron style building, just off the street.  They're also very helpful if you try to speak French, or at least apologize for not speaking it!  There's Le Rouvray, a quilt shop owned by a woman from Michigan that's on Rue Frederic Sauton, a tiny street just west of Metro St. Michel.  You have to pass Shakespeare & Company to get there, so stop there and browse, too.  And I think any of the stores in Montmartre are worth a look.  Get out of the Metro at Abbesses and head up the hill towards Sacre Couer.  Have fun!  I'm jealous!

   Edited 10/28/2005 5:49 am ET by domesticallygifted

4. 
   zoetje | Nov 18, 2005 05:03pm | #13

   la samaritaine is closed forever since june 2005

5. 
   domesticallygifted | Nov 18, 2005 06:46pm | #14

   that is very sad!  I loved their yarn and fabric departments, plus it was so beautiful!  is it something else now?  Surely they wouldn't tear such a gorgeous building down?

6. 
   zoetje | Nov 18, 2005 06:57pm | #15

   they will rebuild but it takes 5 or more years before it is back in the shape it was built.

   it is a good thing because the building was a monument and will come back in its old glory.

   regards

   francine honing

4. 
   zoetje | Nov 18, 2005 04:52pm | #12

   i saw your message too late.

   Paris is Maupiou for the couture tissues. a little pricy but sooo nice. I bought boucle for the chanel jacket and silk

   the prices are about 80 euro /m but also higher.

   this is the best shop, see their website.

   than there is Jane et Francoise, both in the same part of town

   All the rest is like you can find anywhere.

   I'm a prof paris shopper that makes her rounds 2x a year for more than 20 years.