Sabine Halm

Madrigal B

Lacemaker

©Sabine Halm

A family legacy of lacemaking

Sabine creates lace for textiles and fashion accessories
She developed a unique technique for her textile pieces
Her workshop is represented by Ateliers d’Art de France

Fate can sometimes be full of surprises. Born in New Caledonia, Sabine Halm first worked as a dental technician and later as a jeweller. She discovered tatting by chance, as she was leafing through a book, and found out that she came from a family of spinners and weavers from the north of France. One of her ancestors practiced tatting and her name was Sabine, just like hers. Between 2005 and 2016, she taught herself the skills, driven by a fierce desire to revive her family's savoir-faire. In 2016, she surrounded herself with like minded people and created Madrigal.b, her workshop located in Saint-Sulpice-les-feuilles in the Limousin region. She was recently awarded top prize in the heritage category for the New Aquitaine region in the Ateliers d'Art de France competition.

Interview

©Jean-François Auzannea

©Sabine Halm

Why did you decide to become a lacemaker?: As a child I enjoyed arts and crafts, but life moved me in a different direction. Increasingly, I felt a need to express myself and use my creativity. I also felt strongly about our culture of over consumption, and wanted to create something of true value.
What are the characteristics of your creations?: The lace is created with wooden shuttles and various tools that I make in my workshop. I also create jewellery in pearl mosaic. The lightness of the support as well as the style ennobles textiles and accessories and makes this lace look like a flowery liana.
Do you have a specific creative process?: It’s a total freedom of expression. I let my hands express themselves without forcing them, they know where to go. I have my own visions and I’m always on the lookout for an emotional process. My clients don’t just buy a piece, but also the story that goes with it: my love, my questions, my frustrations.
How did you develop your unique technique?: It’s a technique which I developed in my workshop. It’s a combination of the different skills that I use for my creations: lace weaving, spinning, embroidery. It allows me to create a wide range of varied forms.

Sabine Halm is a master artisan: she began her career in 2006 and she started teaching in 2018