BONJOUR!
I have something new to share. I know that I am usually sharing recipes and entertaining ideas, and sometimes, ideas to ponder. This time I would like to share a happy happening and it has to do with two of my favorite things; one of my most favorite places on earth and my Bernina sewing machine.
PARIS, FRANCE
Paris feels like the cultural nexus of my love for France, connecting my admiration for Nice, Canne, Avignon, Provence and Lyon into one unforgettable experience.
BREAKING NEWS
On the morning of February 13, 2026, we joined a video conference call with the Bernina folks, the other BERNINA Meet Me In Paris Sweepstakes Grand Prize winners, the tour operator who is responsible for our transfers and stay, and our tour guide and guru, Rebecca Devaney. (Lots to share about her in just a bit!)
In addition to the many details about the logistics of the trip; when we leave, where we go, how we meet up with each other, how we will get to where we will be staying, WHERE we will be staying….you get the gist– we were introduced to Rebecca Devaney–the STAR of the show, in my opinion!
Rebecca is a treasure and wealth of knowledge and will be our tour guide! She established TEXTILE TOURS OF PARIS in 2019. (Click on the highlighted text to learn more). Listed below are the great places she will be taking us to along with sharing all of her secrets! (OK, probably not all of her secrets, but enough to make things VERY fun!)
Alongside Rebecca’s many accomplishments to date, she worked as a professional haute couture embroiderer for Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Givenchy, and Louis Vuitton and will be giving us an experience (glimpse) inside this magical world.
Places We Will Be Visiting
Textile Treasures in Le Sentier
Step into Ultramod, Paris’s oldest haberdashery, filled with rare ribbons, silk flowers, and buttons. Then visit Acaba, a traditional glove-maker offering custom fittings, and browse other artisan shops in the historic millinery and glove-making district.
Highlights
- Vintage treasures at Ultramod haberdashery
- Discover hidden artisan boutiques in Le Sentier
A Magical Day of Christian Dior
Begin with the spectacular Galerie Dior to marvel at the designer’s legacy, guided by Rebecca’s first-hand experience as a Dior embroiderer. Continue to the splendour of Palais Galliera, the City of Paris’ fashion museum, which houses around 200,000 items. Rebecca will guide you through French fashions from the 18th century to the present, illustrating the artisanal savoir-faire and haute couture expertise that have made Paris the Capital of Fashion for centuries.
Highlights
- Tour the Galerie Dior
- Tour the Palais Galliera
- Insider stories from Rebecca’s couture career
Chanel & The Poetess of Weaving
Visit Malhia Kent, the legendary weaving atelier supplying Chanel and other fashion houses, with opportunities to purchase unique fabrics and yarns. Continue to Atelier Lebuissonfor a behind-the-scenes look at haute couture embroidery, and finish at Atelier Brunette, a boutique known for its curated fabrics, trimmings, and patterns.
Highlights
- Explore Malhia Kent’s boutique of couture weaves
- Private tour of Atelier Lebuisson embroidery studio
- Visit to Atelier Brunette for stylish fabrics and patterns
The Secrets of Paris Revealed
Explore Tissus Market, home to haute couture remnant fabrics including silks, velvets, and bouclé knits. Then enjoy a private visit to Au Ver à Soie, a 200-year-old silk thread manufacturer serving Chanel, Dior, and Hermès—normally open only to industry insiders.
Highlights
- Fabric hunting at Tissus Market
- Private access to Au Ver à Soie showroom
- Opportunity to purchase silk threads direct from the source
The Legendary Paris Flea Market
Discover the famous Saint-Ouen Flea Market with Rebecca as your guide, visiting hand-picked stalls such as Daniel et Lili, Reflets de Paris, Les Puces Laure, and Marcel & Jeannette, where you’ll find antique beads, vintage linens, and luxury fashion. In the evening, celebrate your week with a Seine River dinner cruise.
Highlights
- Curated flea market tour with textile focus
- Discover antique sewing kits, fabrics, and accessories
- Final evening dinner cruise along the Seine
First Things First-- How This All Started
Christmas 2020
The spark of creativity truly ignited Christmas 2020 when my wonderful husband surprised me with a brand-new Bernina sewing machine. It was the perfect gift, and it immediately set my imagination on fire. As a result of this wonderful present, I decided to embark on a new creative journey – learning the art and craft of quilting!
A few years later–
My Bernina grew up!
One day, while picking up my sewing machine from a service appointment, my husband spotted another machine that looked every bit as beautiful as my Bernina—except for one BIG thing: it was bigger and could do way more cool stuff. It didn’t take long for me to decide it was time to upgrade. With an embroidery module included, this new machine opened up all kinds of fun and creative possibilities!
SO...what does a GREAT Christmas present have to do with Paris, France?
This is where the “HAPPY HAPPENING” comes in. I entered the BERNINA Meet Me In PARIS Sweepstakes this past fall which ran from July 13 to November 2025 and the grand prize winners were notified mid-December. To my surprise and amazement, I was one of those lucky individuals. I WON THE GRAND PRIZE!
I will be writing and posting photos throughout this fascinating and exciting adventure, so check back often to learn the latest!
The Grand Prize
“A custom-designed, experiential trip to Paris, France–one of the world’s most creative cities.
The trip will include:
Round-trip airfare
Hotel accommodations
One curated activity per day
Select meals
Personalized touches to create memories that last a lifetime
Scheduled for (May) 2026, the trips are thoughtfully crafted to reflect the values of creativity, quality, and elevated experience associated with the BERNINA name,”
On Y Va!
