Read the original French interview.
Camélia St-Cyr Robitaille explains how her sewing school, launched in 2012, transformed into Atelier Espace Fabrik, an eco-responsible boutique-school, in 2022. Driven by a passion for teaching and for reclaiming deadstock fabrics, Camélia discusses her inspirations, her challenges, and her future aspirations for the creative space and community she has built.
What prompted you to start a business?
It started with my sewing school, launched in 2012. Then, in 2022, we moved to expand. I had always wanted to go further. One day in Paris, I went to a sewing café called Sweatshop paris. I told myself, “One day, I’m going to do this.”
My eco-responsible mission is to only buy deadstock fabric from Montréal designers. So a year before moving, I began visiting designers to accumulate fabric.
In 2022, we decided to expand the classrooms and add a boutique section, which I couldn’t have in my previous space. What also motivated me was the desire to make second-hand and deadstock fabrics accessible and to offer them directly to my students so they wouldn’t need to go elsewhere. Having everything on-site made things much easier for them.
Where does the name come from?
It took a long time and was quite laborious. “Espace” is really more than a place. I didn’t want it to be focused solely on sewing, especially knowing that I was heading toward something broader. We now touch all types of textile arts. It’s a gathering space, with social clubs for sewing, knitting, and more. “Fabrik” comes partly from fabrication, from “fabrique,” and also from fabric. That’s where it comes from.
Your favourite and least favourite parts of running a business?
My favourite part is definitely teaching. I also love searching for new fabrics: I never know what I’ll find, unlike working with suppliers where you select directly. I enjoy meeting designers and discovering pieces I fall in love with. I also love interacting with customers and finding solutions for their projects.
The part I like the least is accounting. But I’m starting to delegate a bit more.
Your favourite designers or patterns?
Lately, I’ve been sewing a lot with Helen’s Closet. I also adore the pants from Daughter Judy. Those are really the two designers I’m moving between these days. I don’t necessarily have one single favourite pattern — I like to explore.
Another store you admire?
I really love Les Faiseurs, a pottery workshop-boutique. I also admire Les Mauvaises Herbes.In the textile world more specifically, in Vancouver there’s Blackbird Fabrics. From an entrepreneurial standpoint, I admire them a lot.
What advice would you give to someone considering opening a store?
Follow your desires, ambitions, and personal favourites. In the beginning, I made the mistake of choosing things thinking people might like them, even though I didn’t. And it doesn’t work: if I don’t love a product, I can’t sell it.
Surrounding yourself with the right people is also important to help the project grow.
What are you most excited about?
Recently, I expanded the team. I’m wondering if I might need to grow even more, especially on the boutique side. The idea of pushing things further really excites me.
And for two years now, I’ve wanted to organise a sewing retreat outside the city. We already run some in Montréal, but I’d love to do one in a more nature-filled location. Since I’m delegating more, I finally have time to move this project forward. I hope it can happen in the spring.
Replic: the blog 