shop update

(pocket bags #119, #120, #121)

A couple of these and some bookcovers and pouches are now available at the shop

the red dress

ahhh, here we go .. finally, a finished dress. One I had actually started last year and had been completely forgotten until recently. I must say, with the new serger it's so much easier to sew clothes now. I'm becoming addicted, so you'll see a lot more of this on the blog from now on.



Back to the dress. It's one of my favorite patterns from this book (Simple Chic, by Machiko Kayaki), which in turn is my favorite dress pattern book. I like the original black version, but as you know, red is my passion. I really love the way it turned out. The fit is perfect, and although the cut is quite simple, the small ruffles give it a somewhat sophisticated touch.



I can't wait to try more patterns from this book, especially for fall and winter. In the meantime, I have one more dress to show you soon, and last night I cut out a couple more tops I've been meaning to make since summer started (ah, and a shop update is coming later this evening, as promised)

crochet blanket ♥

What is it about cats and crochet blankets in this household ? Maggie seems to like this new one already ...







And Amélie also had a passion for the striped blanket recently ... maybe they're telling me I should hurry up and finish them ?

summer top #2

Another one of these. You can tell I really like this pattern, right ?



I have been working on other projects, it's just that I'm too lazy to take any decent photos these days. But next week I might have a small shop update (some pocket bags, hopefully, and bookcovers) and a few more things to show you.

And thanks to a comment posted by Pol_a the other day I discovered this lovely french blog: Japan Couture Addicts. It references almost every japanese pattern sewing book I know of, and it's amazing to see all the finished projects (Kitty, até tem vários exemplos do Pattern Magic). My french unfortunately is not good enough for me to understand all the sewing details and tips but the posts are very inspiring. Does anyone know of a similar site in English, by any chance ?

M., the blog owner, was kind enough to reply an e-mail I sent her, and saying I could post there in English, so from now on you'll find me there occasionally

the tea rose, the winter rose

I've always been a fan of historical fiction, but lately there haven't been many that made me lose my sleep. From the top of my mind, old favorites include The Pillars of the earth, The lady and the unicorn, Girl in hyacinth blue, The passion of Artemisia, The Lymond chronicles, The other boleyn girl, The name of the rose, The sunne in splendour, Outlander ... just to name a few.
So when A. suggested I read The tea rose, by Jennifer Donnelly, I started reading it with a mixed feeling of high expectations and not wanting to be too disappointed. Well, I shouldn't have worried. This and its sequel, The winter rose, totally transported me to Victorian London and 19th century New York in a heartbeat. Fiona and India are the kind of heroines I so much enjoy ... smart, determined, passionate and resourceful women. It's true that there are a few too many twists sometimes, but the story never loses its pace and keeps you interested till the end. I enjoyed the first volume immensely but the second one was even better, so now I'll wait eagerly for the third (why is it that I have a hunch it will be about Seamie and Willa ?). So, if you're looking for a nice summer read, give these a try and (I hope) you won't regret it ...