FAQ – The Back-to-School Capsule L'Échappée Belle

There are still some summer moments to seize and school bags can wait a little longer. L'échappée Belle is that suspended moment when we extend summer while looking forward to starting a new sewing season. Discover our adorable sewing duos to make the sunny days last: matchy-matchy sailor tops, soft sweatshirts, and pretty blouses, this capsule celebrates these last moments of freedom before the back-to-school rush.
A collection designed for both Miss Fauve and women, with one desire: to continue playing, creating, and sewing beautiful stories.

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What's in this capsule?

This edition brings together many new products and some highly anticipated returns:

• The Women's Pirate Sailor Top Box and Girl's Pirate Sailor Top Box, ready to sew.
• The Pirate pocket patterns in women's and children's versions.
• A limited edition of the pocket patterns Miss Granite, Miss Palma, Miss Zénith, and Miss Violette.
• Two new 100% cotton striped jerseys: Blue/White and Beige/Ink.
• The new Amarre buttons, inspired by marine ropes.
• The return of French Terry sweatshirt knit, a little lighter but still soft and comfortable in Plum, Scarab Green, Tango Red, and Ink colors.
• A brand new French Terry sweatshirt knit color: Smoky Blue, accompanied by its matching ribbing.
• A selection of haberdashery perfectly suited to all capsule projects.

👉 Find all L'échappée belle products – Maison Fauve

Do the Pirate and Miss Pirate Boxes contain everything needed?

Yes! The Pirate and Miss Pirate Sailor Top Boxes have been designed to allow you to complete your project in the best conditions. They include essential and carefully selected and coordinated supplies for the pattern: fabric, buttons, thread, needle sets, and fusible interfacing, and of course the pocket pattern in its pretty envelope. We offer a women's sewing kit and a girl's sewing kit, each sold separately.

These products are also sold individually on our website.

Can I buy the patterns separately?

Of course. The Pirate and Miss Pirate patterns are also available as pocket patterns. You can therefore use your own fabrics (please refer to the fabric recommendations on each pattern product sheet) or complete your project with the sailor jersey fabrics and haberdashery from the capsule.

Is it difficult to match the stripes with the sailor knit?

The front and back bodice pattern pieces, as well as the sleeves, have a specific guide line: if you place your pieces on the stripes, and spread them out mirroring each other, following these lines you will obtain a sailor top with neat stripe matching. You can also find information on "how to match fabric in sewing" in this article on the website.

Can the sailor top pattern be sewn with a sewing machine?

Yes, without a problem! In the video tutorial, we sewed the Pirate and Miss Pirate patterns on a sewing machine using an elongated straight stitch. The most important thing is to use a special needle for knit and jersey fabrics. However, the finishes will always be neater if the seam allowances are overlocked. Your garment will be more resistant to washing stresses.

Are the Pirate and Miss Pirate patterns unisex?

The patterns have a slightly fitted cut, and as they are designed for knit fabrics, they do not include bust darts. The Miss Pirate pattern has even been tested on boys who met the size chart criteria to validate the entire size range from 4 to 14 years old. The women's model is patterned for a height of 1m65 in size 36. Finished garment measurements will be provided on each product sheet. So it will be a matter of taste regarding the details that "sign" the pattern: the shoulder pleat, the small button on the back for the Misses, the 3 decorative buttons on the shoulder for the adult version and the square neckline front and back.

Can a "dress" version of the sailor top be sewn?

The cut of both Pirate and Miss Pirate is not fitted; you can easily lengthen the sides of the pattern to create a dress version. However, this will not be possible with our sailor jersey knits as they are sold in panels whose height does not allow for this adaptation.

Can the sailor top be easily shortened/lengthened?

Both the adult and child patterns include shorten/lengthen lines to easily adjust the height, for both the bodice and the sleeves.

Are the Miss Granite, Miss Palma, Miss Zénith, and Miss Violette patterns new designs?

No, this is a reissue of these four girl patterns in pocket format. We took the opportunity of the release of the pretty Miss Pirate sailor top to publish a selection of children's sewing patterns, which have been available on our website for several years, in paper format.
This is the ideal opportunity to complete your collection if you prefer this format over PDF.

Are the fabrics sold separately?

Yes. The striped sailor knit is available in 2 colors, and sold in panels. For a child's sailor top, you will need 1 panel, while for the adult sailor top, 2 panels are necessary. However, we do not sell the fabric "by the meter" due to the placed position of the stripes, and the panels all have the same placement. Information and detailed descriptions of the fabric can be found on the fabric product sheet.
The new French Terry fabrics, as well as the beautiful fabrics presented in the visuals of the Misses' patterns, are all available on our e-shop: the Miss Violette blouse is made of Ghost Flower mauve viscose poplin, the Miss Palma top in magenta viscose twill, the Miss Zénith blouse in smoky blue Tiger viscose jacquard, and the Miss Granite sweatshirt in smoky blue French Terry with matching ribbing.

Are the fabrics suitable only for the capsule models?

Not at all! The striped jersey will be perfect for all your desires for sailor tops, t-shirts, or knit dresses with good drape, while the French Terry will be suitable for sweatshirts, joggers, comfortable dresses, or knit cardigans. They will easily combine with many Maison Fauve patterns such as the Ressac, Granite, and Adèle sweatshirt patterns, as well as the Sasha jogging pants.

Is the haberdashery matched to the fabrics?

Yes. We have selected haberdashery coordinated with the capsule fabrics, especially the new Amarre buttons, whose nautical spirit provides the perfect finishing touch to your creations.

Are quantities limited?

Yes. Some products in this capsule are offered as a limited edition, notably the reissues of the children's pocket patterns. As always, some fabrics or colors may also be available in limited quantities, such as the sailor jerseys. A restock of these products will be possible but not for several months. If a project catches your eye, we advise you not to wait too long.

Who is this capsule for?

For all sewers who want to extend the beautiful days. The sailor tops are for intermediate sewers, while the little blouses and the girl's sweatshirt (also available in adult size) are also suitable for beginner sewers.

Whether you're sewing for yourself, for a little Miss Fauve, or to share a creative moment as a duo, L'Échappée Belle has been designed to accompany this transition between summer and back-to-school with softness, creativity, and a strong desire to sew.

Because before the return of busy schedules, there's always a little time left for one last beautiful escape…