Odile Texier

“Playing freely with emotions, feelings and the fabric”

“It is very important that you understand the way I work during my lessons.

I love to ‘feel driven’, ‘to be spontaneous’, ‘to be natural’: these are the things that drive me when I work, my badges, and that is how I like the day to go during my lessons.

You don’t have to wait for me, this is not a structured lesson on architecture based on academic concepts, the kind peddled by most “teachers”.

When I speak of my passion, I want people to see that I am enjoying myself, that I am playing with my emotions, my feelings.

Technique is one thing, but anyone can teach that. I prefer to share a moment of life, of passion, by means of a material, the fabric. I like to plot a route to freedom; the freedom of gesture, the freedom of error, the freedom of expression – why not … dare; let yourself go … in short, put yourself at ease, as I do with my fabrics.

So I suggest that we enjoy ourselves (…let ourselves go!) each with a sewing machine, with my fabrics and those of the participants (see material list) and create a little sign for the day: each … to his own.

All of this takes place in a spirit of liberty and good humour, rather than conformism and competitiveness.

If I have a message to pass on in the course of this day, it is that one can really create a “work of art” without taking oneself too seriously, and which will ultimately touch people because it will have been made from the heart, the soul, or even the guts.

Certainly not everyone can buy into this vision and that is why I don’t want anyone to expect an academic style and be disappointed.

On first impressions people seem to have learnt nothing! .... I have always thought that when creating something, you have to know how to “lose time”: that for me is the moment when you move forward the most.

Perhaps I will surprise you, perhaps this is not what you were expecting, but I don’t know how to cheat. I like things to be clear and without surprises.

Looking forward to seeing you, I send you all my friendship, just because I want to!”

MATERIAL necessary for the day:

  • Clear invisible thread, sombre style MADEIRA
  • Black, white thread (for the spool), pins, scissors
  • Some fabric in strips (various widths between 1 cm and 5 cm, do not need to be either straight or regular, just shimmering fabric and above all fabric that you love. Whatever material: cotton, silk, cloth, jute, lurex, etc. (but above all, don’t buy anything! Let's make do with what we have!!)
  • Knitting thread, string, paper, etc. and whatever you like that can be attached with invisible thread.
  • Plenty of good humour and tolerance for others!!

PS: I provide the basic fabric, and I also put at your disposal a random sample of my fabrics and my sons’ fabrics.

Thursday 12 and Friday 13 June:
6 hour lesson: from 10:30 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:30

€ 60 / lesson - 12 persons max.