Blog Archives
Patrones 300 & 302 (January & March 2011)
Yay, my Patrones issue #300 finally arrived filled with some great items.
First up this sweet little dress. It’s a wrap with curved skirt and nice pleats below the waist band. The fabric almost looks like a linen and it’s nice to see a wrap dress in something other than jersey.
I like this (pea?) coat but I know it wouldn’t look good on me, still the dark blue and white trim is cute, a bit nautical.
Another nice jacket, slightly military but softened by the fabric choice, great top stitching details. I like this girly dress, really sweet and summery.
.
.
.
.
The white blouse/shirt has nice pleating on the front and every girl needs a crisp white shirt but I’m not sure about the skirt, it seems to stick out a bit at the tummy.
The dress is my absolute favourite in the whole magazine. I just love it even though the fit on the mannequin is pretty average. It’s a bit safari and a bit trench-coat looking and so many buttons!
.
This month also features some maternity patterns. They are mostly just big flowing tops, I think I like the more fitted look of these two but then I guess I’ll never really know what I “like” until I actually am pregnant. The boarder print on the green top is beautiful and the patterns are provided for the pants as well.
.
And then of course, once baby arrives, you’ll need some cute little outfits for him or her. The little blue dress is so incredibly cute! I have a friend who just had a baby girl and is learning to sew so I’m going to help her to make this.
.
.
I also received issue 302 earlier in the month but I wasn’t hugely excited about it , hence my only just posting it now, I think because I was so overwhelmed at the awesomeness of the Manequim magazine that arrived just after it – as in it’s pattern sheets are being put through the large copier as we speak for at least 4 future items.
I loved this top as soon as I saw it, kind of similar to this one. I had a few reservations about this style, how it would look on me, I seem to be getting is all wrong lately but then I saw Melissa’s version of the Manquim top she made in silk for her birthday. She looks beautiful and she achieved a great fit so I am sold. I have some nice silk in my stash, I bet I could whip up one of each really quickly for some instant sewing gratification and two quick wardrobe additions.
It’s been a while since Patrones has given us a ‘wtf?’ moment.
So, uhh, here it is…there are no words really…
.
.
Aaand moving right along…
.
I’m not really into this dress but I’m putting this up here because I love the belt!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The next section is nighties/slips, there are several iterations and all really pretty.
The last of my picks is this jacket, I really like the back length and curves. I like how the stand-up collar comes down the front as panels, it gives the illusion of lapels but keeps the bulk down making this jacket quite sleek.
.
.
.
.
Next issue is Summer, excellent. The Google translation is all a bit weird but the gist I got was pants in different lengths and skirts plus some original design XXL items.
I’m not receiving the extra issue, I didn’t expect to but I’m not too disappointed since I’ve been told they are just a kind of “best of the best” repeated patterns issue.
Manequim 619 (January 2011)
.January’s Manequim issue is a really good one. It has a crochet section with some really cute projects. There are instructions for these in the back section. I’ve always wanted to give crochet a go (I love the cute amigurumi!) and I really like a few of these items too but I think I should probably learn to crochet with English instructions before I try to tackle them in Portuguese.
Right, onto the sewing patterns. I think this section is based on the style of several different Brazilian actresses. I LOVE love LOVE this pink and black dress with the pleated front bodice. I’m guessing it must have some boning and it’s rated 4 stars for difficulty. The fabric is also amazing, my kind of print.
The black and grey zig zag dress is also really nice, I like the squared off neckline and another great fabric print, where can I get my hands on these incredible fabrics?
Another bat-wing style dress, this one in lace.
.
.
..
.
.
I really like this whole outfit, the emerald green and the cut of the top is beautiful and flattering and the shorts are a good length. I’d like to give them both a go.
.
.
.
.
This blouse is in the section entitled ‘prints’ and if you’re about to accuse me of regressing back to my blouse obsession just have a closer look at the detail. It’s a bit hard to see I know but it has a cross-over pleated front with interesting button placement.
.
.
.
Last up for me is this dress which is a bit retro and I love the large format floral print. There is something funky happening at the waist, a sort of gathering in the line drawing but it’s hidden on the model under that belt.
Now I guess I wait to see when February’s magazine turns up, or my late Patrones…or maybe December Manequim will surprise me first…
