The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss ★★★★

The Many Pop-Geek References of Dahlia Moss

This book is a cute fun romp. I feel like it’s the perfect mix of Phryne Fisher and Ready Player One, a mystery series with a heavy theme of geekery and a definite sense of time and place. It’s as if someone took Sharyn McCrumb’s Bimbos of the Death Sun and updated it to match geek culture today (and removed most of the worst awkwardly sexist bits). If none of those references made any sense, then just know that its a light hearted mystery featuring a post-college woman who appreciates a good video game and is trying to find her way in the world.

The book is very full of geeky video game references, and I feel is sort of constantly walking the line of pandering to its audience. But somehow it didn’t irritate me in the same way that Ready Player One did. Perhaps it’s Dahlia’s constant self-deprecation. Perhaps it’s that the author does it with a nod and a wink. Perhaps it’s just me and my fondness for sassy protagonists a la Buffy and Veronica Mars and all the rest. Regardless, it is definitely a book with a certain attitude who know’s its audience.

Dahlia Moss does not have a job, or a boyfriend, or a plan. She does have a wacky roommate, a penchant for video games of all descriptions, and around $10. And once upon a time, she spent about a week as a receptionist for a detective agency. When one of her roommate’s even wackier friends misconstrues this as actual detecting experience and offers her $1000 to retrieve a stolen weapon in an MMORPG game, she figures why not take the easy cash? When her erstwhile client ends up dead, stabbed by a real-life replica of the digital weapon, things get a bit more interesting…

The author chose to follow the time honored tradition of all murder mystery writers. It’s never the first person you think it is, and the Least Likely Suspect rises up to catch you from behind. But that doesn’t make the story any less fun to read.

All the characters in this book are fully realized slight exaggerations of someone you probably already know. You can’t help but say to yourself “yep, I know someone just like that.” Are they real people, with real problems, messy and disjointed and confused? No. But they are fun, and lucky, and plucky, and adventurous caricatures of people you like.

The best part of this book? There’s already one sequel, and another on the way to be released in January. I fully expect them to be much like the first, and if the author continues to write another 10 books that follow the exact pattern of this one I’ll be more than satisfied. There is nothing wrong with potato chip books that fill you up in just the right way, but you always want just one more.

Of course, I’m already waiting for the announcement that this series being turned into a tv show. And if someone picks it up and does it the right way, I think it’d be a huge success. I’d certainly watch it. This series has emerged in the right time and place, and I don’t see why it wont end up being the next popular hit.

Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress ★★★★

This dress is super flattering … with a few modifications. It’s definitely a straight silhouette smock-like pattern, so both times I used it I ended up adding front and back darts around the bodice to add shape and structure. I’m a bit of a classic pear shape, and my wide hips made all dresses look WIDE unless I have some definition around the waist. That said, it was super easy to add said modifications, and with them the dress is adorable flattering and comfortable. I also drafted and added short sleeves in one version, and that was easy as well! The collar construction is fairly simple and flattering.

I used Sprout Patterns when I sewed this dress, and it worked out great!
To see the modifications I made to this pattern, you should see my post here: Sprout Hacks with the Alder Shirtdress

Hey June Handmade Biscayne Blouse ★★★★

This blouse has a really interesting button placket construction, and Hey June Handmade’s instructions make it an easy learning experience to add. The collar is attractive and easy to add. The rest of the blouse is super simple to make, and flattering to wear.

I used Sprout Patterns to sew this project: Sprout Patterns Blouse

Grainline Studio Lakeside Pajamas ★★★★

The construction of the tank top makes this pattern one of my favorites. It was so easy to put together, so flattering, and so fun. I will say that the shorts are definitely too small for me to be comfortable wearing to the gym, or out an about, as her website suggests, but that’s probably more about me than about the shorts, haha.

The instructions make perfect sense, are clear and concise, and really give an excellently finished result.

I really love the construction of the back of the top, its got a fun flowy layer tulip look.

You can check out this pattern on Sprout Patterns, and you can read about my experiences making it here: The Cat’s Pajamas

Closet Case Carolyn Pajamas ★★★★

 

I’d definitely use Closet Case patterns again after this project. She walks you through the complicated structure of the split collar with clear instructions. The fit is very nice and works with my body shape. And the result itself is comfy and classy all at once.

She was very good about using classic pattern markings, even including “shorten or lengthen here” lines, which many indy pattern makers leave off for some reason.

I used this pattern to make these super comfy adorable pajamas: When Life Gives You Lemon Fabric

Colette Hawthorn Dress ★★★★

This was the first shirt dress pattern I’ve ever used. It was fairly easy to follow, and certainly satisfying to complete. It does suffer from the usual colette problem where I seriously have to adjust the bust darts, because I believe she drafts her patterns for a larger than usual bust size. But its an easy adjustment to make at this point. I will say that I have some trouble with the way the collar lines up, and depending on the fabric you choose you should definitely skip the interfacing. Maybe its just because I’m a sloppy sewist, but both times I’ve used this pattern thus far, I’ve had trouble lining up the waist seam-line across the buttons. One side always turns up a millimeter or two higher than the other.

However, Colette’s instructions are excellent, and definitely great for a beginner. I’ve been too lazy to actually put a button placket in either version of this pattern that I’ve tried, but once I do I know that her directions will make it clear and easy.

I’ve completely both the peplum blouse version of this pattern, and the dress, and both turned out excellent.

You can see the peplum version of this pattern here: Cotton Lawn Peplum Blouse

Here are some images of the dress version:

 

Colette Dahlia Dress ★★★★

The colette dahlia was quite easy, and is definitely a true beginner pattern. The way you use bias tape to create the straps is quite clever, and will definitely help anyone who has a fear of inset sleeves (as I definitely first did).

This pattern does suffer from the same problem as many colette patterns where her drafted bodice is larger than average. The use of gathers and the lack of darts means that you can mostly get around it, but if I wanted to be true to fit I’d have to do a bust adjustment.

Version 2 is perfect for a comfortable summer party dress. I’ve yet to give version 1 a try with the sleeve, but I’m sure it will be just as easy and fun as the first.

Here’s what I made with the Dahlia: Spring Birthday Dress

Vogue Skirt V8750 ★★★★

I love the structure of this skirt. The fit is a little odd because of it, but totally easy to work around. And it gives the appearance of nice detail and sophistication.

The skirt takes a fair amount of time to sew, precisely because of all those odd seams and strange construction, but its worth it in the end, in my opinion.

See some photos of it here: Blue Corduroy Skirt

Butterick Sheath Dress B5672 ★★★★

This pattern is actually quite easy to put together. And, if you ignore the hideous fabric which they chose for the cover model, it ends up being quite sophisticated. Even though its not my usual style, I was quite satisfied with the results.

I made the mistake of using a 1-way stretch instead of a 2-way stretch fabric, and so it doesn’t give as much when pulling the dress on. However, it holds is structure quite well, and I would be worried about that with a softer knit. Choose your fabric wisely.

I used this pattern for making this dress: Wallpaper Dress

Butterick Blouse B5497 ★★★★

This pattern is very easy, and pretty flexible. Both shirts I’ve made with it are very flattering and have gotten multiple compliments.

The first time I tried it, I made version B and actually totally missed that it was supposed to be made out of a stretch fabric. This means that its actually quite difficult to get on, but once on it wears just fine.

When I did version A, on the other hand, I used a very soft loose knit, which feels great. But the V-neck is a little too deep for me, and is slightly near-exposing.

With a couple of tweaks, this blouse pattern works great. And the details in the back are always what people point out as lovely.

I used this pattern to create this shirt: Floral Shirt