June GGM Covergirl Interview: Madmoiselle Brielle Les Courturier

I was excited to find out that I would be interviewing this month’s cover-girl because she is one of my best and most admired friends. Allow me to introduce you to Miss Brielle. Some of you may already know her either through her articles on GGM or because you’ve marveled at her costumes.

Miss Brielle is a very accomplished young lady of eighteen. She lives in Oregon with her parents, twin brother, and her younger brother. Her cousin Miss Rebekah is usually present as well. Brielle currently owns and runs her own historical and film-inspired attire business, called Brielle’s Costumes.

(Miss Brielle in her Spanish ballgown)
GGM: Tell me a little bit about your childhood and family.

Miss Brielle: I grew up in the same area we live in now. My grandparent’s property is right next to ours so I have spent many years in the woods, either building forts or playing games with cousins. I really enjoy having family close by; it is always nice to spend time with cousins, aunts, uncles and all of my grandparents (I have 5 of them). So I have lots of fond memories growing up.

GGM: What does your home look like? Do you have any pets?

Miss Brielle: We live in Oregon and our house is in an area with lots of trees right next to a small creek. Yes, we have a few pets… I have a cat, named Princess whom I have had for 12 years and then we also have chickens and I am hoping to get some ducklings this summer.

GGM: You are the only girl in the family… Tell me about your relationship with your brothers.

Miss Brielle: I have a good relationship with my brothers, we get along well and they are very kind in being willing to try on men’s costumes for me so I can see how it fits.

GGM: What kind of relationship do you have with your Mother, and what are some things she taught you that you value the most?

Miss Brielle: My mom and I have a good relationship, it is fun spending time with her and she has taught me so many things. She has encouraged me in so many ways and is always so willing to help me with sewing when I get stuck. One of the things she has taught me to value the most is to put your trust in the Lord and how to show kindness and hospitality to others.

GGM: What is your special memory with your father?

Miss Brielle: I have lots of special memories with my Dad.
I still remember when I was very little, about 5 I think, (I wore my red cape) Dad took me to see Cinderella on Ice. It was very fun, and I remember it pretty well…., but one of my more recent memories with my Dad was when I went with him to California and we stopped at Disneyland and Universal Studies while we were there. It was a great trip and it will always be a fond memory of spending time with my dad.

GGM: You’re a fashion/costume designer… Where or from whom did you learn all of your sewing-skills?

Miss Brielle: Well, my mom and grandma taught me how to sew when I was little. Then as I grew up I started reading books on sewing and learning new techniques… What I enjoy about making costumes is that on each costume, I learn something new, or discover a different way of sewing or experimenting with dying fabrics. With sewing you can always learn something or find a better way to sew a certain garment.

GGM: What kind of education did you receive growing up? And were your sewing activities incorporating in with it?

Miss Brielle: I was homeschooled through all my school years and it was an experience I
enjoyed very much. Because I was homeschooled it allowed me to include more time for studying historical fashions and how to recreate them. Yes, I would say that we incorporated sewing into my education; whether it was sewing a gown for a history project or just having things to sew after school as an elective. We have always had sewing around our house and on most weekends something is being cut out or sewn on the dining room table. So I’ve grown up with sewing projects and tools around the house.

GGM: How has knowing the skill of sewing allowed you to be a better homemaker?

Miss Brielle: I think sewing has helped me in that area, in regards to homemaking. By knowing how to sew I’ve been able to make things to use around the house, or redecorate a room with new table cloths or pillows. It has been helpful to have a sewing machine set up all the time, to do quick mending jobs on clothes, or to sew up something right away.

GGM: What are some of your favorite sewing tools?

Miss Brielle: One of my favorite sewing tools is my Ginger Dressmakers scissors because they are sharp and cut fabric beautifully. Another favorite item would have to be the magnetic pincushion, once you’ve used a magnetic one you’ll never go back to the original kind. Oh, I also use my *eyelet setter quite frequently to. It took some practice to learn how to set the eyelets properly, but now I’m able to set them fairly well. The last thing on my list of favorites is the metal seamstress ruler, this is a huge help when measuring small distances; such as the space between buttons. *Eyelets are the metal rings that are used for lacing up bodices, backs of dresses or other laced details…most often seen on corsets.

GGM: Besides sewing what are some things you like to do?
Miss Brielle: I enjoy reading classic literature; such as works by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson and Alexendre Dumas. Sketching, watercolor paintings, photography, blogging and working on my website are also things I enjoy doing. This summer I’m hoping to practice some archery and perhaps purchase a medieval style bow and quiver.

GGM: Where would you suggest girls start if they wanted to learn how to sew?
Miss Brielle: I would suggest that girls start with a simple project that is fun and easy, whether it is an apron for baking cookies or making a new pillowcase for your little brother. Once you see how fun sewing can be by starting with something easy you can gradually work on harder projects. Perhaps your next project could be a skirt for yourself, or dress for a sister or little girl. Don’t be afraid to try something new, buy inexpensive fabric to experiment with until you get the hang of it…then just have fun seeing what you can create.

GGM: What are some of your hopes and dreams for your future in regards to marriage and family?
Miss Brielle: As far as what my future holds, I don’t know what God has planned for me. I hope and pray that I do what He wants with my life and yes, of course I hope that includes a Happily Ever After for me. If that is so I would love to have a family and homeschool my children someday.

GGM: As a Christian young lady what mark do you hope to put on people when they’re around you?

Miss Brielle: I would like to be a light for Jesus in everything I do and it is my hope that I would be a godly example to younger girls.

(Miss Rebekah, bosom seamstress, in one of Brielle’s custom-made dresses)

GGM: Please share you favorite Scripture and why.

Miss Brielle: Oh, to have to choose a favorite scripture is a difficult task. One of my favorite books to read in the New Testament is Luke, I so enjoy reading about Jesus’ Life and what He did while he was here on earth…and I like Luke’s perspective on certain events that happened. Ephesians is another book of the bible that I turn to often; chapter 6 where Paul is talking about putting on the full armor of God is one of my favorites.

Proverbs 31 is of course a very inspiring passage of a Godly Women and how she should act and I have read that so often… – Proverbs 31:10-31

GGM: Is there anything you feel God moving you towards? And if in His will, what are some things you’d like to do in the near future?

Miss Brielle: I’ve really been enjoying help teach sewing classes with my mom, that has been a very fun thing to show other girls the art of sewing and I would like to continue in that area. As far as my costume designing and making goes, I don’t yet know what God has in store for me, but I am hoping that perhaps my costume business will continue to grow.

Thank you Miss Brielle for sharing with Growing In Grace about your family, your talents, and what the Lord is doing in your life. You truly amaze me and so far everyone who has met you. I know Miss Brielle to be a very sweet and humble person, who will do a lot of wonderful things in her life, with the Lord’s help. I hope you will stop by Brielle’s Costumes Wardrobe and check things out for yourself. Make sure you leave her a note! She’d love to hear from you.