Book Review and Contest!!

I have been on a book-buying rampage lately, and my latest acquisition is Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics .

I really like this book and can't wait to play with it. This book can be fun for anyone who wants to get creative and make some skirts that are customized to your measurements, while getting some practice on drafting your own patterns with the help of step by step instructions. It also covers the very basics of sewing so I think any sewing skill level could work with this book.

I like that the book takes a "design your own" approach, while providing specific instructions on how to modify the three main templates (straight skirt, A-line skirt with fitted waist and A-line skirt with elasticized waist) to make each of the 16 designs featured. I also like that the author covers the basics, as I am always looking for easier and more efficient ways to do things. Zippers (only center application), darts, different types of waistline treatments/facings, and hems are all addressed. I like that the dreaded intersection of zipper/yoke waistline is described and shown in pictures as I need a more systematic way to approach this instead of just figuring it out by trial and error every time I run across it.

First they have you take your measurements and plug them into this worksheet:

Then they tell you how to work with these measurements to draft three basic types of skirt patterns. Each of these basics is then modified in the step by step instructions for the specific skirt you choose to work on.

Here's some pictures of the styles I especially like - to see more designs, click the pictures to go to Flickr and see the rest of the set.

In other news, Jim has made some progress on the laundry room - he's painted everything white and bought/assembled a utility tub. I guess we didn't have a lot of choices on tubs if we didn't want a really expensive one built into a cabinet.

Now we need to figure out how we're going to do the ironing board. I want to get a full size one that can hang on the wall or over the door, but it seems like most of that type are smaller than average.

In other (more exciting) news, my blogiversary is at the end of this month, as I started blogging on May 30, 2006, and I thought this year we would celebrate by doing weekly contest giveaways during the month of May!

First contest: Please tell me what you like about my blog! Also, if there are things you'd like to see more/less of, let me know that too.

I will draw one winner randomly from all comments on Monday morning, so please post your comment by then in order to win this lovely prize:

One of these 200 yard skeins of Tess Cultivated Silk and Wool, unopened.

This is what I used to make Wicked, and as I had 1.5 skeins left over, I thought I'd give away the untouched skein. I may need the other half skein for repairs so I'm keeping that.

If you win and you would rather have a sewing related prize, just tell me that you don't want the skein of Tess yarn, and we will agree on some other prize - fabric or an uncut sewing pattern - instead. If that happens, I'll give away the Tess later in the month in another giveaway.

Comments

[adrienne]

You are making me want that book!!!! LOL. I'm glad I found your blog!!! I like everything about your blog! The only thing that is missing is some new recipies *hint, hint* LOL!!!

[Courtney]

Those skirt patterns are so great! I haven't sewn in years, but I'd love something like that. How cool! Nice progress on the laundry room, by the way. It's coming together!

Re: what I enjoy about your blog - I love that you update so regularly, and you always have something fun going on! It's great to live vicariously through all of your knitting and sewing projects, since I don't finish things even half as quickly as you do. I also share your taste in a lot of projects, so you're a great source for ideas and inspiration. :)

[lisa]

I LOVE that you are always so chatty and happy. Even if you post something somewhat negative - you always seem to make it seem that it isn't.

I love that you post often. I could take a page from your book in that respect.

[Rachel]

Long time (6 months maybe) lurker coming out of the woodwork...One of the things that I really like about your blog is how often you have finished items. You must knit and sew like the wind! I also like the very upbeat feel that your posts have. It's very refreshing! Happy 2-year...I hope there are many more!

[Jeanine]

You are making me want to wipe the dust off of my book and actually make something from it!

[Hilary]

Hi Robin! Happy Blogiversery! I like your blog because you're such a fast knitter, so we get to see A LOT of FO's! It helps me decide whether I would like to knit certain patterns. I also love that you update it so frequently.

[Katinka]

Dang, those are some cute skirts!

I like your blog because:

1. It's cheerful!
2. Lots of photos!
3. Frequent posting!

I often feel like I'm getting to vicariously sample different yarns and projects through you. So, thanks!

[Kerry]

If only I could sew! Those are some really great patterns.

I love Wicked!!! Looks like the fit is perfect and the color is super on you!

What I love about your blog? Seeing all your FOs. It's quite inspiring. :-)

[Karen]

I like your blog because there is always something new you just finished. It's amazing. I don't know how you finish so many things so quickly, but it is definitely inspiring.

I have that book too but haven't tried to make anything from it yet. I like the book though.

[kaet]

that skirt book is great- being blessed with booty but a very small waist, customizing is what i am all about! i can't wait to see what you come up with!

as for what i like about your blog:
1. you always have lots of pictures
2. you always have interesting stories, and tell us about your goings on to the point i can really imagine what your life is like...it has the feel of talking to an old friend
3. on the same lines...you share more than your crafting...your travels, etc. it gives the whole picture of your life
4. you knit so fast and so much there is always something new to ogle!
5. pictures of you and jim- so cute!

there really isn't anything i don't like...so i'll leave that part out! :)

[mary]

So funny, because in your last post, I was just thinking to myself what a great idea your virtual vacations are. You never let us down with your exotic locales. Happy blogiversary!

[Lara]

That looks like a great book! I may have to pick it up and try one of the patterns - I don't sew well, though.

What do I like about your blog? There isn't anything I don't like about it. I like that you post frequently. You mix things up so it is always interesting. It is one of my favorite reads....so happy blogiversary!

[Debby]

Those skirts in the pattern book are gorgeous -- if I could sew, I'd make several myself!

I agree with the other comments: I love that you post frequently, and especially enjoy your long weekend posts. You're always working on interesting projects, knitting, sewing, or house projects. You like to try new things and share the results with us. I love seeing your vacation photos, and you have the right balance in what you share: enough of your life and Jim's that we get to know you, but in a cheerful, not complaining way.

And I started my blog Memorial Day weekend 2006, just at the beginning of Amazing Lace, so we must have been on the same wave length!

[LizKnits]

Congrats on the upcoming blog birthday! I love visiting because you're so willing to share just what's going on, without too much editing. Makes me feel like I know you.

[Heather]

Hey - a contest! And there are TONS of reasons I like your blog! I visit usually daily - I love that you 1) post so much - a big bonus when you wanna see what other knitters are up to!, and 2) have lots of pictures of finished objects!!! I guess there's also the bonus that you do, indeed finish so much, so it makes me want to follow right behind you. Are you sure you don't have motors in your needles????

:O)

[Babs]

Happy Blogiversary! Oh my gosh, you're one of my favorite blogs. You produce so much stuff. It's an inspiration. I don't know how you do it!

[Jenny]

Cute skirts! I love the asian one. You actually got one of the prettier utility sinks. I've seen a LOT worse. Now you guys will have the fight over whether he can wash paint brushes in it or not. Let me know who wins. LOL.
What's not to love about the blog? You have lots of pictures, almost daily posts, lots of inspiration, and you're really fun to live vicariously through! :)

[Amanda]

I absolutely love your blog. I love that you give such awesome details about everything you're working on, whether knitting, sewing, home remodeling or vacationing. Keep it up!

[chrispy]

You don't need to enter me in the contest, I would love to play with the yarn but pink and me have a bit of an allergy to each other.

What I love about your blog?

I love how much you talk about everything. I feel like I know you. Of course it helps that we chat via email at times.

I like to read about other people's sewing adventures, since I don't have much time to do any right now. You can tell the cord material next to my sewing machine that I really want them to be pants but I just need to work on some cute sweater and he starts spouting off about the unlove.

[bettyc]

I love contests! I love looking at the finished objects and learning about the construction details. Knitting is more amusing for me than sewing, but I used to sew practically all my clothes, so I do appreciate the effort it takes.

Happy blogiversary!

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

No worries on entering me in the contest!

But what attracted me to your blog was the knitting of course!! But that you are for the most part open about your life.
I luv'd it when you do the Q&A that one time!

[Denise]

I LOVE that you post tons of pictures. Love seeing all the nice things you knit, and lately I've really enjoyed the virtual vacation pictures :-)

[Shannon]

I think what I most like about your blog is seeing you whip out those FO's like a madwoman! LOL! You produce FO's like no other (whether it be knitting or sewing) and I love seeing what comes next!

Happy almost Blogiversary!

Shannon

[turtlegirl76]

I like your blog because you're so inspiring. You make so many things that I want to make or end up making and you speak so well about fit and how you adapt for your own body. It makes me think too. Just don't make me do that tooooooo much ok?

Also, you're getting my sewing curiosity perked. Someday I'm gonna learn how to use my machine.

[Robyn]

I love your blog because I'm a wanna-be-sewer and I live through your projects. Maybe one day I'll figure out just how to use my machine! :) That's why I like your blog. (And love to see how many knitting projects you whip up in the span that it takes me to knit 1 item! (You finish like 10 by the time I'm done 1!) LOL