April Manequim Preview

Here is a the quick preview for the next Manequim issue (April for me):

Shoes!

Also something about “return of the sets” (a volta dos conjuntos) which if you look at the picture they have a matching blouse and skirt (looks like a dress at first) but then they accessorise  them separately…interested to see how many other patterns are in that section.

Manequim 635 (April 2012)

April’s Manequim showed up this week day, yay! There is a lot in this issue to love so here are some of my favourite picks this month:

Starting with a couple of cute separate collars, I”ve seen a few of these around, we get two different patterns and embellishment ideas. I kind of want to make one because they are just so sweet!

This months regular plus sized pattern is great too with a pleated skirt, love the colour and accessories.

This white dress (210) is gorgeous! Great detailing and the gold number is great too, it’s got an interesting dart and pleat detail, I’m not convinced on the silhouette for me but it is in a Manequim size 44 (approx. Burda 42).

This months designer section is Marc Jacobs and we get 4 patterns, a cute tie-front blouse (still haunting me, I better make one as soon as I sort my accommodation issues out!) in an even cuter sheer. A classic shirt with ruffle front in two lengths, or at least to me it looks like the shirt-dress pattern has just been shortened.

I also like the polka dot skirt, great fabric, and really nice detailing at the centre front and hem, I like that this month they have the items really mix-and-match with each other like a capsule wardrobe.

I think meia-estação is “half season” so I am guessing these items are transitional season pieces. I really like this jacket with removable hood and the colour-blocked dress is very on-trend and would look great with boots. I also like this next polka dot skirt with a pleated hem.

I was quite interested in this first dress in “Powerful Visual” from last months preview. It’s actually quite a simple blocked piece but with a very Mondo use of different fabrics. The wrap dress is good too, you can never have too many wrap dress patterns, and I like the scoop necked top too.

I don’t often show you the other sections of Manequim - Typically there are make up and fashion trends sections, some recipes and this month we have some home decorating ideas under “Renew you Home”.

I LOVE this clock! It looks like wall decals with a basic clock movement in the centre and I am so doing this when I get my dream sewing room set up, just you wait! I reckon I could stencil it and paint it on, ohh, I’m so excited!

I don’t have a preview for next months magazine yet, I seem to have received this magazine super early for a change (yay!) so hopefully it’ll be up on their site soon and I’ll post it later

Happy sewing! xx

Manequim 634 (March 2012)

Sigh…I’ve had a super crappy week but pretty patterns cheer me up, let’s review:

Ohh shoes! Shoes make me happy too, these are so pretty in all their clompy goodness. It’s a shame all the shoes I can buy right now are for winter. I hope I can find some puppies like these in the shops next summer.

And this month we also get another pretty online crochet pattern (link) and it looks like the plus pattern page is going to be a regular now. I think the neckline of this top is quite nice, a combination of shirt collar and cowl neck.

 Our cover model this month is Fernanda Souza, a Brazilian model and actress who is clearly a fan of pink. I really like the dress on the left which is a style I’ve seen before but this pattern manages to still show off a really nice feminine silhouette while being floaty and layered.

Our designer section is Tommy Hilfiger and I have to say that I am a bit disappointed that the number of patterns in this section seems to be shrinking. This month we only get three and while I LOVE this dress and it looks great with the blazer (we also get a jean pant pattern shown in a blue and white stripe that had an unfortunate pattern joining in the crotch that I didn’t scan) there was also an amazing top and skirt that I wished they’d produced a pattern for.

FYI the dress, if you bought it, is R$780 (about NZD$520) and the blazer R$404 (about NZD$270)

The “Democratic Fashion” (?) section has some pretty and light tops and I really like this dress with all the buttons and tabs on the neckline.

I love a good wide leg pant and the fabric of her blouse is amazing too!

Don’t let the line drawing of this first dress in the “Time to Shine” section fool you, those are not several long pleats or darts as I first thought, it’s just representing the lace. I like the strappy neckline, it ties at the back of the neck in a bow.

It’s hard to see the detail of this dress in the black fabric, you’ll have to take my word, when I stare really closely at the magazine page it looks pretty hot. I’ve scanned it several times to try to get the detail to show up but it was Photoshop ultimately that saved the day (click on the thumbnail on the left to view bigger). It looks absolutely awful colour-wise but you can at least see the pleats, waistband and overlapping front.

Finishing up with another tie-front blouse in a great print and next months preview, ohh, Marc Jacobs!

Manequim 633 (Feb 2012) and smiles

You know what? You guys are awesome! I’ve been feeling pretty blue the last week, letting all the little things get to me but all your comments on my last post really cheered me up so I’d like to say a BIG thank you to all of you xx

The other awesome thing that happened to me this week, just when I was in the need for a little pick-me-up, was that I managed to win myself a sewing pattern online. I love winning things just as much as I love new sewing patterns but it doesn’t happen very often despite my extensive efforts.

I now have a copy of The Sidekick Sewing Pattern from Jodi at Sew Fearless, thank you so much Jodi, I love it and just as I said in my comment, I can’t wait to make up a funky “adult” version for me! I’m thinking about using up the last of my super funky Ikea fabric that came home with me from Perth.

You can grab your own version of this super sweet, and super handy pattern for just $10 here at her shop.

In other fun news, last week Zoe of ZoSews nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award. I haven’t had a chance to get around to it until today so I didn’t forget you Zoe, thanks so much, I really appreciate it!

Zoe and I share a love of nerdy maps, specifically ones that show us where all the sewing gems are hiding, kind of like a sewing treasure map! If you haven’t seen it yet, my map is here and you can check out Zoe’s Melbourne version here.

When I received my first blog award (The Versatile Blogger) I wasn’t too sure if blog awards were cool or naff, spam or genuine praise, so I played along anyway, but I’ve decided it’s fun to let others know how much you love their blog and share the linky love so here goes:

The ‘rules’ of the Liebster Award

1 – Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog. Tick!
2 – Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you. Tick!
3 – Copy/paste the blog award on your blog. Tick! Obviously, or you wouldn’t be reading this
4 – Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs (with 200 followers or less). See list below – I tried to choose new blogs from my list that hadn’t already received the award.
5 – Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment. Will do.

My Liebster Blog Award nominees are:

(cue drum roll, applause and confetti)

• SewingElle from He Cooks…She Sews! – Who can resist a mix of yummy food mixed up with beautiful sewing? Not me!
• Kirsty from Rocket Sews – I discovered her recently while stalking the Minoru Jacket sew-along. I love her colourful print and all those extra details, go see!
• Emily from Calico Stretch – We share a love of NZ Merino, and if you’ve never made anything from merino before it you should definitely try it, the most fabulous fabric in the world!
• Kelly from Sew Alluring - Has just started learning to sew herself and is blogging her progress. I love seeing the sewing love spread and she’s already doing a fabulous job of a super cute apron
• …and last but by no means least is The Perfect Nose – Because we share our love of Manequim magazines and she has me dangerously close to re-subscribing to La Mia Boutique…

Why don’t you go and check out one (or all) of the above blogs, you never know what amazing new inspiration you’ll find xx

Ok, let’s look at a new sewing pattern magazine shall we?

This month starts of with a cute trend of crochet dresses. I think the runway dress is a better example than the offered pattern. It is available on the Manequim website and it took me a little bit to find it but when I did I also discovered a whole pile of other free crochet patterns. Since I can’t crochet in English, let alone in Portuguese, I’ll probably be giving these a miss but you can check them out here.

I’m skipping a big section and jumping straight to the Nina Ricci inspired pages now. We only get 3 patterns in this section but I am really liking the lace dress. I just picked up a large lace remnant for about $3 and while it might not be suitable for an entire dress it’s got me thinking. I LOVE the draped sleeves on the top.

This skirt below is nothing new pattern-wise but as a bonus it’s in my size

Recently I have been noticing a lot of tie-front tops and blouses.I know it’s not a new trend, I’m a little slow on the uptake and by the time I get around to making one they’ll probably be off-trend again

My Nana would tisk tisk at this model wearing blusa 168. There are two pictures of her in the issue sitting in this “unladylike” position, I’m no prude but it disturbs me. Her top looks kind of like the top part of the Lonsdale dress.

Another cute tie-front blouse and the fabric is so sweet!

I’m not a fan of when magazine issues try to tell you what you should wear at each decade of your life, however I do like these two dresses, even though they are meant for ladies in their 50s and 60s (whatever) Ohh butterflies! Oh and we’ve seen that green blouse before in a previous issue, I like that they are bringing in pattens from previous issues, although there are no references so you’d have to dig though your collection if it seemed familiar.

Next month looks nice, but you won’t be catching me in that grey sheer blouse without a bra on!

Ciao for now xx