Maison Sajou: from Jacques Simon Sajou to Frederique Crestin-Billet
Maison Sajou was born thanks to Jacques Simon Sajou, who was born on May 25, 1805, into a family of wig makers and perfumers from Sens, in Burgundy. Settling in Paris, Sajou quickly became a pillar of the Parisian scene, both as a benefactor and a prominent figure in the city. In 1840, he married Astasie Granger, the niece of history painter Jean-Pierre Granger, and published his first embroidery design, a Madonna and Child. Jacques Simon Sajou was one of the first to dedicate himself entirely to publishing embroidery patterns in France, working tirelessly to combat the costly import of German patterns, known as "Berlin patterns".
Illustration from the Guide Sajou, a publication founded by Mr. Sajou, which ran from 1851 to 1854. The colour outlines are clear and easy to follow.
Moreover, for many of his designs, Mr. Sajou proudly claimed to have developed “eye-friendly” patterns.
Mr. Sajou developed innovative printing techniques and offered accessible designs, collaborating with renowned publications such as Conseiller des Dames and Moniteur des Dames et des Demoiselles. It is said that he personally welcomed clients to offer embroidery advice. Besides his commercial activities, he served as a captain in the National Guard, deputy mayor of the 13th arrondissement, and participated in philanthropic works. In 1864, he handed over his business to his brother-in-law, Claude Marie Cabin. After several changes in leadership within the family, the Sajou company closed its doors in 1954.
In our large cross-stitch chart dedicated to the history of Maison Sajou, you will find details of the locations of the various workshops, the names of its directors, and the evolution of the logos.
The Revival of Maison Sajou
The present Maison Sajou was relaunched in 2005 by Frederique Crestin-Billet, following a career in publishing during which she authored and directed numerous illustrated books. Always passionate about vintage haberdashery items, Frederique Crestin-Billet launched the Sajou website on May 25, 2005. At a time when online haberdashery sales were still a pioneering endeavour, the success was immediate, especially abroad (Japan, USA, South Korea, Europe).
See Frederique Crestin-Billet's book on the history of vintage haberdashery.
Maison Sajou’s Iconic Creations
Since its inception, Maison Sajou has offered products deeply rooted in the purest French textile tradition, while also embracing ultramodern communication tools. This balance preserves the spirit of Jacques Simon Sajou, blending tradition and modernity to offer quality products to embroidery enthusiasts worldwide.
From the start, Frederique Crestin-Billet focused on French-made products, a forward-thinking choice at a time when “Made in France” was not as prominent as it is today. The first re-editions included small Sajou albums, postcards, scissors for embroidery and sewing, and embroidery charts. In 2009, the Retors du Nord embroidery floss was launched, followed by the entire Fil Au Chinois sewing thread range.
The Evolution of Maison Sajou
Since its foundation, Maison Sajou has continuously innovated while honouring tradition. In 2014, it launched the Museums and Heritage Collection, a series of cross-stitch charts inspired by France's rich cultural and textile heritage. In 2018, a fabric collection was introduced, now offering a full range for home and fashion, further enriching the options for textile art enthusiasts.
The Sajou Haberdashery in Paris
In 2013, Maison Sajou opened a large haberdashery in the heart of Paris, attracting an international clientele. However, the difficulties brought on by the Covid-19 crisis made its continuation impossible, and the boutique had to close in November 2020 due to the heavy costs and a lack of international visitors for nearly three years.
Maison Sajou at Le Bon Marché
From 2020 to 2022, Maison Sajou also had the privilege of being represented in the famous Parisian department store, Le Bon Marché. Although this experience was enriching, the allocated space proved too limited to showcase the diversity of our products. As a result, this stand was closed in September 2022.
Maison Sajou in Versailles
Since the end of 2022, we are delighted to welcome our clients to our headquarters in Versailles, the birthplace of Maison Sajou and a place filled with history.
For more information and to plan your visit, see our dedicated page: visit us.
Finally, in 2025, Maison Sajou will celebrate its twentieth anniversary! Many surprises await our loyal clients to mark this occasion.