Scarlet Santana is never happier than when creating fabulous fashions for women of all shapes and sizes. Now, after years of hard work, she finally has the chance to live her dream and study under the hottest designer in New York. To raise money for her move, Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop, teaching a type-A working mom whose rigid parenting style is causing her family to unravel and an enigmatic seamstress with a mysterious past.
But as stitches give way to secrets and classmates become friends, the women realize an important truth: There is no single pattern for a good life. Happiness is always a custom fit.
I read Kathy Cano-Murillo last summer when I read her book Waking Up In The Land Of Glitter . At the time I enjoyed her fun style of writing with a flair for the humorous.
Scarlet is a wonderful character and her determination to sew (despite her families efforts to help her move on to another career and her two degrees in engineering) is a good lesson in sticking to what you believe about yourself, no matter what. Her friends are a hoot and I enjoyed the diversity among them. I like the fact that the women were not all cookie cutter cut outs of one another but that they all brought a little something different to the story.
I found the book to be a light, quick read and a break from my normal routine as of late… I am not a crafty person although I like to pretend I am… and reading about someone who has a real heart and talent for a craft such as sewing was fun. Scarlett’s passion is inspiring! The play of words, referring to the “patterns” in our own life are fun and through provoking.
Amazon Rating
The “how to’s” at the end of the book are fun… and after a read like this, I am inspired to try my hand at “Little Victories Pages”…. maybe. 😛
Reading Group Guide
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The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am able to offer a giveaway (USA and Canada) for a book bundle including copies of Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing and Waking Up in the Land of Glitter.
Leave me a comment here letting me know what craft you are either good at or wish you were…. and I will enter you in this giveaway
For a second chance to win – subscribe to my blog or let me know if you already have (upper right hand side bar) and let me know in a separate comment here and I will give you a second entry.
I will choose a winner on March 17th using Random.org.
The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map has been updated to include Miss Scarlet’s School Of Patternless Sewing
I received this book for review from Hachette Book Group
Book Journey 
I would love to win this giveaway. Prior to my accident I was a sewing fiend, making most of my family’s clothes and making quilts. I miss it, but love reading about it.
Dollycas
Oh man, this combines my two passions books and sewing! I love to sew and am learning as I go when it comes to quilting (in fact I just purchased fabric for my daughter’s quilt – my 3rd – last night). I hope I win!!!
Long time follower, you know I love your blog!!!
Dollycas
I wish I was good at sewing. Mostly, I’m scared of the machine. I’m always coming up with sewing projects, but I never get around to them, since they … (wait for it) … involve sewing. *sigh*
And, yes, I’m subscribed. 😀
Yes, I do subscribe – I love your blog!
This one sounds like a delightful read. I, too, enjoy characters that are not “cookie cutter” versions of one another.
Thanks for sharing.
What two delightful books. I am definitely ready
for some light/humorous reads. Also, books
that are centered around a group of women is
almost always enjoyable!
I like creating handmade cards with my stamping
friends. I do wish I could sew and make handmade
dolls and such…
Many thanks to you, Cindi
I am already a subscriber of yours!
Again, many thanks…
Cindi
I’d love to win this prize package! My mom can sew like nobody’s business but I didn’t take an interest in it to learn other than home ec class in school. I wish now that I could sew that. I can’t even repair a zipper! Boy, that is a skill that would have come in handy a hundred times over!!
I follow by email subscription! Please enter me!
i follow here &on twitter,wish i could sew beautiful clothes .
I enjoy sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting. Sounds like a great book.
I sew a little when I get in the mood.
This would be a great book to read.
E-mail subscriber!
I follow by google reader and email.
I wish I was better at knitting for sure!~ 🙂
This sounds like a delightful read! I am able to sew, but I don’t take the time these days. My grandmother was a seamstress and she taught me all kinds of tricks, but I just don’t take the time to do it often these days. I also used to do extensive counted cross-stitch, but the eyes are getting older for tiny, minute stitches!
Email subscriber too 🙂
I am a crafty gal….scrapbooking, sewing, painting, drawing. I love it all!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Also, I follow your blog through my email….love getting these emails during my planning time at school!
When I tell people that I can sew they don’t believe it! I learned in High School & made my prom dress back then! I have made everything from my children’s baptism outfits to my sisters wedding gown. It’s really becoming a lost art.
Email subscriber
I am a person who “knits”. I don’t knit well, however there is something very comforting about the item pooling in your lap as you work away. I think perhaps the flaws is what makes the pieces personal for me. I wish I could say that I am a good enough knitter that I don’t have to look at what I am doing, that is not the case, but I have friends who can knit and read at the same time. Imagine that! That takes productivity to a whole new level!!
I am an email subscriber as well
I am a long time subscriber of your blog.
I do to knit, especially with design and lots of colors, intarsi knitting and also love embroidery an cross stitch.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I sew, quilt, and do needle work. I also draw and paint, which some people consider crafty.
I am a subscriber too.
I’m an email subscriber.
Sandee61
Muzzley56@aol.com
I’ve always enjoyed sewing, from quilts to Barbie doll fashions for my daughter, assorted nieces and now grandaughters. I think its the “frustrated fashion designer” coming out in me! That’s what I aspired to be when I was young, so many moons ago. I also enjoy crocheting, and want to learn how to knit (on my bucket list), and re-learn to do tatting.
Reading is my passion, so I don’t know how I will fit all this in, but would try. lol Thanks for the entry in your giveaway…I enjoy your blog and book reviews.
Have a blessed day,
Sandee61
This sounds like a totally yummy book!!!
I wish I was good at any craft! I’ve tried quite a few, but my results were never very pretty. kathy(at)bermudaonion.net
I would love to win these books! They sound like delightful reads.
As far as a craft that I am good at–pretty much the only one I do is counted cross-stitch, but I would love to learn how to quilt…..
I, too, have “dabbled” in many crafts…don’t really excel in any one though. I enjoy crocheting, ceramics, and most recently jewelry making. Good thing I’m retired!!
Thanks so much for the great job you do on your blog as well as your amazing reviews.
I am an e-mail subscriber.
Thanks for the entry.
And I already follow you (of course)…..
I love to cross stitch, especially in the winter time. My grandmother taught me years ago and I fell in love with it.
I follow by GFC and subscribe by e-mail.
I would love to be entered into this giveaway. I am also a sewer, but I do cross stitch…
I follow your blog via Google Reader. Hope that counts!!!
I like to knit and crochet, but I have too many projects going!
Hi there, great giveaway. I am a quilter and a cross stitcher also.
I am a follower too 🙂
I wish I could quilt.
I used to do cross stitch, but haven’t done any since my daughter was born.
This book sounds delightful! I love to craft but wish I had more time for quilting.
amusedbybooks@gmail.com
Also I’m a follower!
I think I’m crafty but I never execute these bright ideas. Maybe I’ll start w/ this book.
I subscribe to your blog.
I’m super creative and love to craft and scrapbook, etc., however I CANNOT draw and I CANNOT sew. Give me a glue gun, some pain, markers, something to trace and someone else to copy and I’m good to go!!
I am a new subscriber…can’t wait to come back at a reasonable time and explore.
i enjoy ‘cross stitching.’ thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Love a good day of decopage and never opposed to some adornment of my work with hot glue gun and jewels.
Book looks good and I would definitely like to read and of course be able to sew without a pattern.
Any craft project involving decopage, glitter and a glue gun I am your girl. Love to have this book bundle her voice sounds like one I would like.
I wish I could draw and paint. My mom and sister have that gene, but it’s missing in my genetic code. Thanks for the chance to win the book bundle. At least I can read well!
Great giveaway. Longtime blog follower. The 2 crafts I am good at are cross stitching and scrap booking.
I am pretty good at sewing. I use to make all my clothes. Love to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I already subscribe by email.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I sew, knit, and do needlepoint. Wish I could crochet but my grandmother gave up on ever getting it through my thick head. I also write which is a craft I always hope to get better at. Please enter me.
I’ve been a follower for a long time and will be as long as you continue it.
I am really good as knitting, beading, sewing, and other random crafty stuff!
Amy // artsyrockerchick at aim dot com
I follow via RSS Feed!
Amy // artsyrockerchick at aim dot com
I thought this was a sewing book so I delayed opening the post!
I love reading these kinds of books and am going to add to my wishlist
I currently do/use to/will again…. sew, quilt, scrapbook, counted cross stitch, needlepoint, crochet