New retro envelop patterns from Burda

   

Back in october I wrote about the Burda retro patterns. The new retro patterns from the 2013 spring collection are all in 60's style.
The 60's are not my favorite fashion period. With a broad upper back and a swayback the shapeless dresses with no darts gain some kind of pregnancy charm which I'd rather like to avoid. I still love the two patterns above, especially with the addition of a jacket and a cape which are shaped with shoulder darts, something I miss on the modern patterns. Since these patterns aren't expensive they are on my list to buy. (It's a pity the dress pattern with the jacket starts at size 12)

House to sell

Interior of our house - the other one, which we still need to sell.

2012 review?

I didn't do much sewing this year, did I? Still managed to be a pattern tester for the Sewaholic Cambie dress and made up a Renfrew top and a cloche hat. Still didn't finish the brown Burda top though...
In the meantime a lot happened. It was probably one of the busiest years of my life until now!

Back in january I've got a new job, started with a new BA course, in june we've bought a house, in october I've got diagnosed with Graves' disease (a thyroid disorder) after everyoe thought I was having some kind of nervous brake down... I felt terrible. By the end of the year I've decided to quit both my job and the BA course and go back to my old job. I'm now on medication. After months of feeling exhausted, gaining weight and feeling completely worthless (partly because of a necessary combination of two medicines) I'm feeling much better now! I have more energy, start to feel like I was 'before'. I started running again, we're trying to finish the remodeling in the house by the end of february and hope to pick up sewing by that time as well!

Sewing plans 2013:
1. There are two patterns I'd like to start with, the Sewaholic Alma blouse and the Sewaholic pants. I like the clean lines and great fit of the Sewaholic patterns!

   

2. I'd really like to make a suit jacket. With a swayback and a broad upper back it is not easy to find good fitting ones. One of these would do the trick:
A vintage vogue re-edition (2885) and a vintage inspired Burda 7173.

 

3. Since I love dresses I already had plans to make up these dresses (Simplicity 2145 and Vogue 1224) Both are patterns from the past years and both are for knits:

  

Of course, there is a lot more I'd like to make! I keep collecting inspirational pics of dresses and fabrics...

Christmas baking

Muscovado carrot cake from BBC Good Food. Used the frosting as filling and poured icing on the top. Quite heavy but utterly delicious!

After 5,5 months still in progress

House update

The front garden is cleaned up (tons of stones and weeds, even a tree have been removed by me) Although we still haven't really finished anything, we've made some progress during the past two weeks.
View of the back, no opened up. One day we have big garden doors installed in the whole length of the back wall:


Part of the walls is plastered:


When removing the old tiles big chunks of the wall came off and it had to be filled up with a thick layer of really heavy plaster.
That's me:

House update

Slow progress around the house. The above picture is from yesterday, we had  the wall removed between the living room and the extended kitchen area.
My current activities involve a lot of digging in the garden - thankfully the weather is dry and cold, with now and then a bit of sunshine.



This is my little plan for the garden - we might get to realizing part of it next year. I love the minimalistic, structured base but also love the English-style flowerbeds and hidden places to relax with a beer and a book.
There is also a main terrace right at the house (not visible on my plan but should be below the picture). For now I'm trying to get rid of the huge amount of stones the previous owners have left and in the meantime also digging out the roots of the 3 trees we've removed.



How about the amazing color of this Burberry lace dress? (Keira Knightley wore it recently on the Tonight Show) The simple and clean lines let the color and the lace structure shine.
Why oh why don't they sell dark green lace here in Holland?