Annette's Book Spot: sewing

Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts

Monday, August 12, 2019

Book Review: The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs @susanwiggs

The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs book cover and review

Contemporary dramas aren't my usual fare, but I enjoy them on occasion. Susan Wiggs is familiar to me, and The Oysterville Sewing Circle did not disappoint. I was drawn to this one because I love to sew, so anything with "sewing" in the title catches my attention.

Caroline is returning to her hometown, Oysterville, on the Pacific coast of Washington. She hasn't been here lately because she's been working so hard to become a successful clothing designer in New York. Well, things fall apart for Caroline in a couple of different ways.

First of all, just as she is about to achieve some success with her own designs, the designer she works for steals them from her. She has no recourse in this cutthroat business--it is her word against his.

Then, one of Caroline's best friend, Angelique, who is a successful model, dies of a drug overdose in Caroline's apartment. Caroline had suspected she was being abused by a man, but didn't push her on it. And Caroline had no idea Angelique was using drugs. Angelique has two small children--and Caroline is now their guardian.

So she comes home with these children in tow to the loving home of her parents, where she has several siblings. And they all work at her parent's very successful restaurant. Caroline has no interest in the restaurant, but she has no idea how she is going to support two children. Her entrance is also complicated by Will, a childhood best friend who married Caroline's best friend. She's always had feelings for Will that she has kept buried. And now she must face him and his wife once again.

Because of Caroline's guilt over Angelique's death, and her discovery that the abuse of women is much more prevalent than she ever imagined, Caroline wants to try to help these victims in some way. Thus, The Oysterville Sewing Circle is born.

The Oysterville Sewing Circle is a multi-layered romance/drama that easily drew me in. The romance isn't too sappy, although a bit predictable. Caroline's growing relationship with these small children is an interesting development. Her struggle to find a way to create a successful business and find some independence is compelling. And the realistic portrayal of several characters facing abuse is heartbreaking.

It all works well together, and make for a fascinating read. I would recommend The Oysterville Sewing Circle to anyone interested in contemporary drama/romance. Susan Wiggs will remain on my preferred author list.

Published by William Morrow, August 13, 2019
ARC won from a Goodreads contest, and eARC obtained from NetGalley
305 pages

Rating: 4/5

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Latest Sewing Project - My Very Hungry Caterpillar

I got to make my sweet granddaughter's first Halloween costume!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Book Review: Woven, by Michael Jensen and David Powers King

If you like fantasy books that are chock-full of magic, you will most likely enjoy Woven.

I'm going to do something I rarely do. I'm going to post the description from Amazon:

Two unlikely allies must journey across a kingdom in the hopes of thwarting death itself.

All his life, Nels has wanted to be a knight of the kingdom of Avërand. Tall and strong, and with a knack for helping those in need, the people of his sleepy little village have even taken to calling him the Knight of Cobblestown.

But that was before Nels died, murdered outside his home by a mysterious figure.

Now the young hero has awoken as a ghost, invisible to all around him save one person -- his only hope for understanding what happened to him -- the kingdom's heir, Princess Tyra. At first the spoiled royal wants nothing to do with Nels, but as the mystery of his death unravels, the two find themselves linked by a secret, and an enemy who could be hiding behind any face.

Nels and Tyra have no choice but to abscond from the castle, charting a hidden world of tangled magic and forlorn phantoms. They must seek out an ancient needle with the power to mend what has been torn, and they have to move fast. Because soon Nels will disappear forever.

I knew going in that this really wasn't my kind of book. There are just too many fairy tale elements. There are witches and ghosts. Almost every item has magical properties. There's a sewing box that can get you out of almost any scrape. Magical rings and necklaces. Gargoyles that talk. People die but aren't really dead. Every obstacle encountered is easily overcome with some sort of magic.

If you like fairy tales, Woven is a good one. The world is interesting. Adhering to the normal fairy tale tropes, there is a kingdom with a princess. And then there's the villagers feeling very far apart from the royalty. The lore is based on the notion that reality is really a tapestry. The Great Tapestry, cared for by the taylor, that can become unraveled. The magic is called Fabrication. The book is full of sewing references -- stitching, binding, seam rippers, weaving, loose threads. As a person who enjoys sewing as a hobby, it was entertaining.

Tyra is a spoiled brat. I got frustrated with her lack of growth, even after this long journey where she has to overcome all these obstacles. And it's obvious she couldn't do it without Nels.

And speaking of that long journey, Woven really lagged in the middle. The journey just got too long. But that may be because I became unimpressed with the next encounter with some horrible magical creature and the constant use of more magic to escape. Like I said, just not my thing.

Woven is well written, and easy to read. I would recommend Woven to the middle school crowd who like a descriptive fairy tale set in a unique magical environment.

Published by Scholastic, January 27, 2015
ARC obtained from Library Media Connection Magazine
344 pages

Rating: 3/5

Friday, May 2, 2014

Feature & Follow Friday: The Other Side of Life

This week's question from Alison & Parajunkee:

Share! Tell us about one of your hobbies that is NOT reading.

I love to cook. And my long-time hobby is sewing. I recently got a new sewing machine. I post about these things in a series of posts I call "The Other Side of Life."

Here are some recent sewing projects:

Thanks so much for visiting. I can't wait to see what all of you have been up to. Please leave me a link, and make sure to visit our hosts! Have a great weekend!

Monday, March 10, 2014

The Other Side of Life - New Sewing Machine!

I can't remember the last time I didn't have a book review ready to post on Monday. But I thought I'd explain part of the reason why I'm not reading as much lately. I took my 14-year-old sewing machine in to be fixed and found out it was going to cost too much to fix it, and being 14 years old, probably not worth it. So, while I certainly didn't have a new machine in my budget, I really can't live without one. And, while I haven't been sewing a huge amount lately, getting a new sewing machine sure puts you in the mood! So, here's the new baby:

It's a Baby Lock Elizabeth. Not the fanciest machine, but it's got everything I need and then some. I've been sewing on Baby Locks for years, so it is already very familiar and was easy to get used to.

Here's my first project:

A book bag, of course! I've had this fabric for a long time, and actually cut out the pieces months ago, but still didn't sew it until now. I'm very happy with the way it turned out, and it puts me in the mood for SPRING! It's a Heather Bailey pattern called Smarty Girl Book Bag.

I need to get to the fabric store to get ready for my next project!

Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Other Side of Life - An New Angel for the Tree

I'm using these posts to occasionally describe other things I enjoy (besides books.) I used to post these projects on my other blog, but I posted so seldom that I decided to include them here. Feel free to skip this one, if you are strictly in it for the books.

I made a new angel for one of my Christmas trees. She's having trouble holding up her wings, but we're working on it! I'm still happy with how she looks:

Stitched from this pattern purchased from Embroidery Library.

How are your decorations coming? If you post some pictures, please let me know in the comments!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

The Other Side of Life - A Wine Tote

I'm using these posts to occasionally describe other things I enjoy (besides books.) I used to post these projects on my other blog, but I posted so seldom that I decided to include them here. Feel free to skip this one, if you are strictly in it for the books.

I was in the mood for a small sewing project this weekend, so here's what I made:

The pattern came from Needle and Spatula, although I made a modification. I chose to quilt the entire fabric piece, cut out the handle, and bind it with the bias tape.. It made the quilting a lot easier. I made it from scrap fabrics, so it cost me nothing. Took about 2 hours. I think I may make some of these for gifts. What do you think?

Sunday, March 10, 2013

The Other Side of Life - A Grocery (or Book?) Bag

I try to always bring my own grocery bags to the store. I've heard that this can be a problem because when you re-use bags, they can get all sorts of bacteria on them. So, I've started only using the laminated kind that can be washed out, or cloth ones that I make and can throw in the washing machine.

Here's my first attempt:

This was made with the New Leaf Folding Totes pattern. The pattern includes a pocket and Velcro tabs, so you can fold the bag up. It's a really nice feature, but I eliminated it for this bag. It also includes a tote sash pattern, so you can hold together your folded up bags. It's a great concept -- because my bags are always floating all over my car or house. There's a nice wallet pouch pattern too that would be great for coupons.

I think it turned out cute, but it's really small. I'm the kind of person that buys groceries for the week. So I need lots of bags that can hold a lot. If you were the type of person who just stops at the store to buy what's needed for the evening meal, this might work out for you. For me, I think it's a lovely new book bag!

I'm going to look for another pattern for a bigger tote bag. I'll let you know when I've made another bag.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

The Other Side of Life - Christmas Projects

I've been making some projects for Christmas that I wanted to share with you. First, I made a simple table runner for my dining room. These are really easy to make, I made a smaller one for my coffee table too. I'm happy with the way it looks!

My daughter got married, so I made a stocking for my son-in-law. Years ago, I made these denim stockings for my family, with the detailed appliques. Well, Michael didn't get the applique -- but he did get a stocking! I only have four pegs on my stocking holder, so his will have to hang behind Emily's anyway. I still think it's cute, even without the details.

I've been making a few little gifts too, but I'll have to share those with you after Christmas.

Hope you are enjoying your Christmas preparations. How's the shopping going? Let me know what you are up to! Thanks again, for visiting.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Other Side of Life -- Flower Making

I'm using these posts to occasionally describe other things I enjoy (besides books.) I used to post these projects on my other blog, but I posted so seldom that I decided to include them here. Feel free to skip this one, if you are strictly in it for the books.

This week I tried out my new Kanzashi Flower Maker. I was surprised how fun and easy it was.

This is what the pattern looks like. It's a piece of plastic with holes and slots. You cut the fabric for your flower bigger than the pattern.

You fold the fabric in between the pattern, and cut along the edge of the pattern.

You take a needle with a LONG piece of thread, and just follow the numbered holes. Come up at #1, down at #2, up at #3, and so on.

When you are finished, remove the pattern, and draw up the thread.

This makes ONE petal.

You then insert another piece of fabric into the pattern, and repeat, leaving the first petal hanging at the end of the thread. Don't cut the thread!

This flower had six petals, so at the end you have a thread with six petals gathered on it. You just pull the thread to gather them all in a circle, and take a few stitches to secure. You can add beads or a button for the middle. I think it turned out pretty cute!

The kit came with six different patterns--three types of flowers, each in a small and large version. I'll let you know when I get around to making some more of these. The possibilities are endless as to what you can do with the flowers when you are finished. I think this will be a fun thing to do while sitting in front of the TV.

What do you think? Do you make any kinds of flowers? I know there are all kinds of ways to do it. I thought this one was kind of unique. Can't imagine how someone figured out these patterns!