Replic: the blog

This interview was originally published in French. Read the original interview here.

In this interview, Pauline, the creator behind Pauline Alice, reflects on her journey from a passionate seamstress to an independent pattern designer. She recounts how a professional reassessment led her to transform her sewing blog into a recognized brand. She also shares her candid perspective on creation, entrepreneurship, and the challenges of everyday life.

What prompted you to launch your own business?

I’ve always sewn. I learned to sew as a teenager, and it’s always been something I’ve enjoyed. I also loved fashion. In 2010, I moved to Spain. My husband is Spanish. When I arrived, I found work in other fields, but I felt it wasn’t something that would fulfill me.

When one of my contracts ended, I took a step back and asked myself what I wanted to do. I thought about making custom-made clothing. At that time, I had a sewing blog, but my readers were mostly sewists, so I didn’t really have a market. Then I thought: instead of doing that, why not try to professionalize the patterns I’d already created and sell them?

I started with a pattern sold on my blog, with a hastily created PayPal button. And it worked well. Then, I set up an online shop, very simple at first. Little by little, we got to where we are now.

Where does the name come from?

Pauline Alice are my first and middle names. Nothing too fancy. I was looking for a name and I thought it would work perfectly.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of running your own business?

My favorite part is the whole pattern-making process. Seeing the idea you have in mind take shape, putting it on paper, preparing the pattern. And then seeing the projects sewists make with it, it’s always very rewarding. It’s truly satisfying to see that it was well-received, that people sewed pieces they love.

The part I like the least is all the administrative stuff, accounting, and the paperwork in general. And the marketing side too. I know you have to promote yourself, that you have to be very active on Instagram, but it doesn’t come naturally to me. I do it, but I force myself. I try to improve, to communicate better, but it’s not something I’m passionate about.

Favorite fabric stores or haberdashery shops?

I buy a lot online. In Spain, the shops are often quite traditional, although that’s changing. My last order was from Toretto Tessuti in France. In England, I really like Fabric Godmother; they have some lovely products.

In Spain, I shop at a small boutique called Ratuco. They carry a lot of children’s fabrics, printed poplins, but also some very pretty things. The prices are affordable, and it’s really nice.

Are there any other pattern designers you admire?

Yes, especially designers who started more or less at the same time as me. I really liked Deer & Doe, even though they’ve changed direction since then. Ready to Sew too: I really like what they do. And the girls at Named Patterns; I really like their work as well.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to launch their own brand?

Try to stay true to your style and listen to yourself. It’s sometimes easy to want to do what sells well or what’s very trendy, but I think that if you want to last in the long run, you have to find your own signature style.

Any projects you’re currently working on that you’re excited about?

I’m working on the next collection, Spring/Summer 2026. I say that every time, but luckily I’m excited about each new collection, otherwise it would be a shame. Right now, I’m in the phase where the patterns are finalized and I’m sewing the prototypes. I’m really eager to see how they’ll look on the wearer.