A perfect alignment of Singer sewing machines in the window clearly announces the color. In this boutique on rue Marcadet, it stings, it pins, it sews. The constant purr of the machines echoes down to the street. The idea for Bobines & Combines germinated in Assia Bietry’s head around fifteen years ago, during a dance show. “We sewed our costumes ourselves in a very friendly atmosphere. With two of my friends, we then imagined professionalizing ourselves,” she remembers.
After giving up her job in event communications, Assia co-founded Bobines & Combines with Laurent Lacheze in June 2010. She chose premises overlooking the street in her favorite neighborhood, 18e arrondissement, in Paris, where she lives. The activity revolves around creative workshops for children and adults and clothing repair. “Our evening workshops allowed us to close at 10 p.m., so I offered a dry cleaning and alterations drop-off service. »
This white-walled shop is first and foremost a living space where local residents converge: children, mothers, local residents who want to have jeans or a dress repaired. Democratizing sewing to create social bonds was the initial spirit of the project. Very quickly, Assia Bietry set up sewing workshops in three Ikea stores in the Paris region. “Before going shopping, parents left their children with us and we taught them the skills of sewing on felt. »
With the Covid-19 pandemic, activity has come to a complete halt. Assia refuses to be defeated. “I got a loan from the state and kept the team going. We have all developed interactive distance and live courses together. » At the same time, two friends who work at Bichat hospital and in a nursing home asked her to make blouses and gowns. The town hall of 18e district provides the village hall; sewing machines, overlockers and steam generators are installed there, and volunteers come running to lend a hand.
Artisanal start-up
It is precisely at the heart of this storm, which could have swept society away with it, that couture became fashionable again. Against all expectations, videos are a hit on Instagram and TikTok. Grandma’s sewing machine comes out of the closet to families confined at home, in search of activity and meaning. We start by sewing masks for the children and then we start making a duvet cover or a dress. These online courses continue today, alternating with in-person group workshops (by appointment only), for birthdays or hen parties, for example.
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