How to sew clothes inspired by the Rouje brand?
The website of the French brand, created by Jeanne Damas, is packed with pretty, feminine and timeless pieces. Why not use it as inspiration for your next sewing project?
We suggest you take a look at some of their most beautiful pieces and find patterns to sew 100% handmade versions!
A square-neck T-shirt
The Ivanka t-shirt is a pretty long-sleeve tee with a scalloped square neckline. The cut is close to the body to highlight the décolleté.
To reproduce this piece, you can follow the pattern of Vanessa Pouzet’s Wanted top, whose shape and neckline are very similar.
If you have a good level of sewing, you can also choose a t-shirt pattern you already have in your cupboards and modify the neckline yourself to make it wide and square.
For this piece, you’ll need to choose a fine, stretchy jersey to achieve a form-fitting shape.
A button-down dress
Country and bohemian dresses are Rouje’s trademark. Ginetta is the most iconic, with its long cut and slightly puffed sleeves.
The Aédé de Mangue Chocolat pattern, in its long-sleeve version (which can be shortened for summer) is quite similar to Ginetta with its button placket along the dress.
If you prefer the V-neckline of the original to the round neckline of Aédé, you can sew this pattern from New Look. However, it will need to be lengthened to achieve the desired effect.
In both cases, you’ll need to choose a fluid fabric. A viscose, for example, for the same fall as the original.
A short coat
Florent is a short, lined coat with a jacket collar.
To sew a pattern that comes close to this elegant, timeless result, you can base yourself on Clématisse Pattern’s Tess jacket. To make it look just like the original, you’ll need to lengthen it by about twenty centimeters and add a belt sewn from the same fabric as the coat.
To make this piece, Rouje uses a blend of cotton and virgin wool, with a majority of cotton. If you want your jacket to be warm for winter, prefer a fabric containing a majority of wool, mixed with a little polyester, for example.
A wrap dress
One of Rouje’s most iconic pieces is Gabin, a light, flowing wrap dress sewn in floral and pastel fabrics.
Atelier Scämmit’s Obsession pattern features the main elements of the piece. The wrap-around shape, the shoulder gathers, the flowing cut and the slim tie at the waist.
For this garment, the ideal choice is a lightweight fabric such as viscose, Tencel or lyocell. If you prefer a natural fiber, you can choose cotton voile or double cotton gauze. Or even fine linen.
A fitted blouse
The Palmyra blouse is one of the women’s wardrobe pieces revisited by Parisian brand Rouje. A very contemporary version of this basic piece that can be worn with jeans or a tailored skirt.
Atelier Scämmit’s Liseron pattern can be used to sew a similar blouse. Just take care to shorten it by a few centimeters to achieve the same slightly cropped effect as Rouje’s version.
If you like snaps, you can easily use them on the pattern.
When it comes to fabrics, let your imagination run wild with fluid denim. Or a light cotton voile, linen, viscose…
A long dress with straps
For summer or for the festive season, worn with tights and a sequined jacket, the Analia dress is all-purpose. It’s a fairly simple piece with a straight neckline.
For inspiration, you can sew the Make My Lemonade pattern. It’s quite similar to the Rouje garment. A close-fitting shape, thin straps and a long cut that you can adapt to your own preferences.
For this dress, choose a stretchy jersey with a leopard print like the original. Or a more neutral color (black, blue…).
And if you love the world of Rouje, you’ll love sewing that of Sézane, another iconic French brand, blending bohemian elegance and modernity.
