Can you handle two Brazilian pattern magazines in one week? After my earlier Moda Moldes review, you might be already crying uncle and pining for caipirinhas on Copcabana, but hold on, because there’s much more in store from Manequim below…
Strangely, the first patterns in the magazine this month aren’t for humans, but for Barbie dolls! I’ve never seen doll patterns in any of my pattern magazines before, let alone designer-inspired dresses and coat (really, I’d prefer if they’d just given us the full-size versions!). Really, though, I shouldn’t complain, as these patterns are free to download, so you might be able to make a little girl very happy in time for Christmas…
There are only three Plus patterns this month (even though Barbie got four!!), but they’re all really nice – a yoked tunic top that would be a perfect silk tee, a dress with fantastic contrast raglan seaming, and a sleeveless top with a blazer-like shawl collar that I’m considering knocking off for myself…
I just think this maxidress is so elegant! I tend to like pale, solid colours anyway, but the surplice neckline with the folded-over lapels is just a lovely touch, and one I’ve not seen in any other pattern. I must file this one away in the memory bank for future franken-patterning. (But seriously, how lovely would this be for a bridesmaid’s gown??)
You know how I feel about shorts, but I can’t help admire this vintage-inspired set with the lovely tie-collar blouse, even though I probably wouldn’t wear it myself.
Again, this top has a neckline that’s completely new to me, so bravo for the ingenuity in Manequim’s design team! However, I still can’t decide whether I actually like it or not – all I could see were two smaller tank-tops dancing towards each other, and now I’ve seen it, I can’t un-see it…
This is why I will never be a fan of prints – why take two patterns with amazing & novel seamlines and sew them up in wild prints that obscure everything unique about the pattern?! Seriously, let’s take the dress first – asymmetric, yes! Edgy zipper placements, yes! Sheath dress, yes! Of course I love it. And that blazer, which looks so pedestrian in the photo, is just awesome in the tech drawing, I mean, look at the sleeve seams, or that back box-pleat/peplum, how good is that??
And finally, the designer inspiration this month is Cacharel, and we get a (admittedly kinda weird) dress, a (rather boring) button-down shirt, and a great little dolman tee – very easy to sew. Again, this would make a great little silk tee like I’m so fond of!
