V1316

Love the color blocking and the lines.  It seems like it would be a very flattering dress provided the V neck doesn’t end up being too low.  I love how they color blocked it so that the lighter color is in the middle, and it gets darker toward the outside.  Instant slimming!

V8839

I love this cardigan!  I could totally see myself wearing it.  I wonder how well those folds at the top stay so perfectly folded though?  Do you think they would be kind of flappy? Anyone have experience with this style?

V8833

A quite lovely wrap top.  It’s pretty plain, but I think it looks flattering.  The fit (should) at least be easy because you can just wrap it around your body to conform, although the front might turn out gape-y.

V8831

I included this one, just because I thought the style lines were a little interesting.  The shirt is a little longer in the back than in the front, and it has some nice shaping.  I’m not too sure I like the cowl though, it seems kind of wimpy, don’t you think?

V8827

I like the one sided drape on this top (View C) the best.   A wrap dress is such a versatile thing to have in your closet!

V1320

I think I just love the fabric on this one.  Large hounds tooth anyone?  Don’t mind if I do.

V1319

This coat shape was all over the runways this year.  I’m not sure who (other than models) can pull it off though.   Instead of defining the waist, they have added more fabric making a kind of egg shape.  Obviously super skinny super tall people look okay in it, but would a normal person?  Would the extra fabric disguise a little bit of a tummy, or highlight it?  This is one of those shapes I’d have to find in a store and try it on before I wasted my time (and fabric) trying to sew it!

What were your favorites?  Have you ever taken a chance with a clothing shape?

So tell me, did you find yourself wrapped up in the Olympic spirit too?

It’s a spray bottle that sprays upside down, and the best part is you can make virtually any spray bottle do this!

All you need is some flexible piping the same diameter as the current straw, and some washers for weights.  Just make sure your bottle doesn’t leak when you turn it upside down!  For some reason I always find myself needing to spray upside down.  This method should let your spray bottle work at a wide variety of different angles, letting you get that very last drop out much easier.

Have you ever done this to your bottles?  Have you ever hacked your cleaning supplies to work better?

Well, here they are

122

A very pretty scarf like neckline shirt.  Can’t wear a jacket with it though, it completely loses its appeal when viewed from the front.

120

A plain, but wearable dress.  The gathered neckline and raglan sleeves should make it easier to fit at least.  Not quite sure about the shiny material though.  Or the birdcage.  Who walks around holding a birdcage anyway?  Maybe she’s sad her bird didn’t much like the ugly cage she picked out for it and now she has to throw it away?

147

Another scarfy neckline top.  This time, the scarf is in the front.

113

A peplum top, one of the trends from the spring.

102

A very nice dress.   In black it’s hard to see the construction lines, so here they are

D0esn’t that look nice?

and finally

112

An inverse kick pleat.  I don’t know about you, but when I golf, I do it in heals and look confused by passing birds.

Well, there you have it folks, my picks for August.  What did you like?  Do you ever give the models commentary or a back story?

When I checked out Simple Sewing with a French Twist from the library, I thought it would be a technique book for some reason.  It is not.  It’s a pattern book!  And also quite thick

With any pattern book, I recommend checking out out from your local library like I did or thumbing through it at the book store before purchasing.  That way you’ll know if you are actually interested in the patterns it contains.

There were a couple of cute ideas in there like covering the back of a chair with buttons

or a bathrobe wrap

and even a bean bag and parasol

All of the patterns are super simple, so they (mostly) just require a ruler.  In some instances they include a pattern, but you have to copy it at a copy shop with a certain % enlargement.  There is a small section in the beginning which describes some basic sewing and seam finishing techniques.

It was a fun book to look at, but probably not one I would purchase.  I felt like I could figure out how to do most of the projects in the book, and the ones I couldn’t you needed to have a specific object like the skeleton of the parasol around to do.

So I give it 3 spools out of 5.

My favs:

M6604

I never would have thought to pair a cowl neck with a collar, but I really like the way it looks!  (At least in the picture).

M6612

If you’re not ready for the crazy cowl/collar combination, there is always a classic cowl.  I love the 3/4 length sleeve and the side gathers.

M6602

I just love the back on this one!

M6609

A little plain, but very wearable I think.

Have you noticed that most of the patterns this season are Fashion Star patterns?  What do you think about them?