Portraits of Fans: The PPMC 2013 Clearance Sale

The Papa Pique et Maman Coud Grand Clearance Sale, held every year in Crac’h, Morbihan, is a major highlight for our company. The 2023 edition took place on August 22 and 23. After two days of setup and preparation, we were ready to welcome a wave of brand aficionados eager to snap up hats, bags, headbands, scrunchies, hair clips, and fabric by the meter not to mention baby hats, bibs, and diaper covers. With discounts of up to 70% off regular store prices, there were definitely bargains to be found! More than 5,500 of you came to enjoy it!

A neighbor from Brec’h, Pauline was among the first customers to step through the doors of the Espace des Chênes. Arriving as early as 8:30 a.m., she left with her arms full: fabrics for tablecloths and cushions, a coin purse, a smartphone case for her father, and large tote bags. “The prices are super attractive!” she says enthusiastically.

Visiting her parents in Vannes especially so she could attend, Aurélie was mainly looking for fabric to sew clothes and accessories for her two children. She particularly loves the more masculine prints, perfect for making shirts, trousers, and shorts for her son.

 

For Cathy, a holiday in Carnac was the perfect excuse to come to the Grand Clearance Sale for the first time. “I know the Le Touquet store, as I live in the Somme,” she explains. She came to replace her beach bags and hunt for hair accessories. “I only have a son and no little girl, so I treat myself,” she admits with a smile.

Twenty-year-old Camille came with her mother. They live in Rennes but were vacationing in Carnac. They arrived at 8:30 a.m. to get in line before opening. The goal? To find small pieces of coated fabric to make handbags. “I also make clothes and accessories, but I must admit it’s very hard to get to the fabrics there are so many people!” Camille comments.

Sophie, from Saint-Avé near Vannes, came to her first Clearance Sale in Crac’h, accompanied by her 4-year-old daughter, Servane. “I picked up hats, bags, hair clips, and fabric to make clothes for my daughter and to give to my friends! And I’m also bringing some back to keep grandma busy! It’s a day that’s really worth it!” she says enthusiastically.

Lydie, from Nantes, came on the recommendation of a friend who regularly attends the PPMC Clearance Sale. “I mainly look for accessories, bags, and hats. I stock up for my family and prepare Christmas gifts for the children.” The mother of an 18-month-old boy, she also takes the opportunity to spoil her friends’ little girls with PPMC goodies! “I love the variety of colors to choose from,” says this devoted online shopper.

Caroline and Clémence came together as friends from Vannes and Baden. Caroline, mother of a young boy and expecting her second child, has lost count of how many times she’s visited the PPMC Clearance Sale. This year, she was delighted to find some boy-friendly prints such as small cars, hot-air balloons, and blue-themed fabrics. A passionate seamstress, Caroline runs a blog showcasing her creations: Cerise et Compagnie. She comes here in search of raw materials to make bags and accessories for her friends. “What I love is the originality of the fabrics, especially the coated ones, and their quality. It’s something you can’t find anywhere else,” she notes. Caroline makes birth gifts and Christmas presents, “and for Christmas, you have to start now!” she says, glancing at the three large PPMC shopping bags she’s taking home. While Clémence doesn’t sew, she knows how to place orders with her friend to also give handmade gifts. “I choose the fabrics and Caro is my seamstress!” she laughs. “PPMC fabrics are very distinctive and recognizable,” the two friends agree, recalling how, once, while walking with their children dressed in PPMC fabrics sewn by their blogger friend Marianne from lesdixdoigtsdemarianne, a lady asked them when Papa Pique et Maman Coud had started making clothes.

Florence came as a local to the PPMC Grand Clearance Sale in Crac’h last summer. She lives in Sainte-Anne d’Auray and used to attend the Clearance Sale back when it was held in Saint-Philibert, eight years ago. “I came to find fabrics for myself,” she says. “My children are grown now and less interested, but I’m sure I’ll get to play dolls again when I become a grandma though I still have some time!” she laughs.

For now, Florence enjoys making patchwork creations with PPMC fabrics. She makes bags and decorates home items such as cushions. “I find patterns online and try to reproduce them.” She combines small floral prints, stripes, and polka dots to create a harmonious color palette on a handmade velvet bag. “It took me four days in total. I sew every day. There isn’t a single day without a piece of fabric in my hands. They’re everywhere in the house on the walls, on the sofa. Luckily, my husband doesn’t mind,” she jokes. Florence once ran a blog showcasing her creations but quickly gave it up because she spent more time on the computer than at her sewing machine. She admits having a soft spot for small flowers and polka dots. “I also love crochet and knitting,” adds this insatiable creator.

Sandrine, also originally from Sainte-Anne d’Auray, came along with Florence. She now lives in Villefranche-de-Rouergues, in the Aveyron region. “There’s no PPMC store nearby!” she laments. So, when she visits her family in Brittany, she always takes the opportunity to stop by one of the coastal boutiques. In Carnac, she buys hats, scarves, and lightweight shawls her trick is to coordinate them into matching sets.

This was her first time attending the Clearance Sale in Crac’h. She filled two large bags with dozens of fabric scraps to make patchworks, bags, and decorative panels. “And I also stocked up on hair accessories for my nieces and goddaughters, who are 2 and 8 years old.” She also showcases her creations made with Clearance Sale fabrics on her blog: les10petitsdoigtsdesandrine.