Paris: Flea

One activity that made all our lists of "must- do" while we were in Paris was a trip to the flea market. Everyone in our group shares a fondness, to some degree, for vintage. Perhaps my love of vintage is the reason flea markets are one of the first things that pop into my mind in association with Paris, even before the Eiffel Tower or macarons.  

We each had an eye out for different things while we were there.  Liz found some vintage fabrics, including a cut of rayon. Meg and I were on a mission for buttons. Mike, on the other hand, spent most of his time skimming through stacks of records and vintage screen prints. Felix took and posted wonderful photos of the different varieties of objects available. 

Though Marche aux Puces St.-Ouen de Clignancourt is the largest and most famous flea market in Paris, we decided it wasn't for us. Most of the reviews we read suggested that it was geared largely towards an interior decorating crowd, overpriced, and very crowded. Instead we opted for  Les Puces de Vanves. It was a moderate sized market filled with some very eclectic goods. 

We were sure to arrive to the market early in the morning, a good decision, as the crowd filled-in midday as we were preparing to leave.

Mike donned another of his McCall's  M6044 shirts for the occasion. This shirt was a last minute addition to his wardrobe. I finished sewing this shirt  moments before we left for the airport. I don't know which one of us was more excited to discover that, thanks to all my practice shirt making, I can put one of these together in a few short hours. We've already added a couple pieces of flannel to his stash for future versions. I think M6044 is to Mike's closet what the Archer is to mine.  

It was a cool morning, and the coffee vendor situated at the midpoint of the market was the most popular guy doing business that day.