Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Sep 11, 2011 Jamie added it

Shelves: for-trade

I don't read a lot of "chick lit." It's usually not my thing. What made me reconsider is that this book is about a "crafty" person. I LOVE being crafty. I may not be great at it but I still LOVE it!

Scarlet Santana is one heck of a spitfire! She holds two degrees in engineering and her family is pressuring her to settle down and get a "real" job. But Scarlet being Scarlet has her own idea for how she wants to live her life.

By day Scarlet works for a local designer by the name of Carly Fontaine. O...more

like · see review

May 17, 2011 Gail rated it 5 of 5 stars

The second book from the author of Waking Up in the Land of Glitter, this delightful book of women's journeys is a fabulous read. Scarlet Santana is the author of a successful blog in tribute to the fashion designer Daisy de La Flora. Scarlet's ambition is to go to New York and follow in Daisy's footsteps. She has won a coveted scholarship to a New York house's Emerging designers school run by Daisy's nephew who heads Daisy's fashion empire.

To finance her trip, Scarlet offers a course on sewing...more

like · see review

Apr 16, 2011 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Miss Scarlett is a woman full of talent, energy, and drive but lacking a certain empathy. Not that she is a bad person, she just feels that everyone looks down upon her chosen profession - fashion design. She comes from a highly educated group of siblings and they and her parents feel she is wasting her engineering talents making dresses. But Scarlett knows what she wants and she is going to get it. She starts her School of Patternless Sewing to raise money to go to a famous design school but it...more

like · see review

Mar 24, 2011 Heather Pearson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Scarlet Santana has just been accepted into a most prestigious design school led by the world famous Johnny Scissors. Johnny also happens to be the nephew of Daisy, of Casa de la Flora, whom Scarlet has fashioned her world after. She collects her designs, creates items styled after Daisy and even writes about her on her increasingly popular blog. At one turn after another, Scarlet's world starts to loose it's shine. Her boss goes back on a promise to allow her to hold her classes in the design s...more

like · see review

Mar 07, 2011 Kristi (Books and Needlepoint) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs

This was such a fun book to read and I devoured it in one evening! Scarlet's enthusiasm is contagious and her blog posts are very inspiring. I even went online to see what would happen when I went to http://www.daisyforever.com/. I wasn't surprised that it lead me to the author's website - Diary of a Crafty Chica. (Go check it out and enter the great contest going on there!)

Scarlet is 30 years old, and even with two degrees in engineering, she has decided to forego that career and pursue one in...more This was such a fun book to read and I devoured it in one evening! Scarlet's enthusiasm is contagious and her blog posts are very inspiring. I even went online to see what would happen when I went to http://www.daisyforever.com/. I wasn't surprised that it lead me to the author's website - Diary of a Crafty Chica. (Go check it out and enter the great contest going on there!)

Scarlet is 30 years old, and even with two degrees in engineering, she has decided to forego that career and pursue one in fashion. Her Nana Eleanor taught her to sew at a very young age and she makes all of her own clothes. I know I would love to have that kind of skill!

Daisy Forever is a tribute to her favorite designer - Daisy de la Flora from the 50's. Daisy was obsessed with Carmen Miranda and patterned many of her wild designs after Carmen's love of bright colors and sequins. She was also a recluse and her current designs at Casa de la Flora are handled by her newphew Johnny Scissors. He is known as the hottest designer in New York and is the one that Scarlet has won the opportunity to study under. Unfortunately, he is mediocre as a designer and is just in it for the money and fame.

Scarlet starts her Patternless Sewing class to raise money for the tuition for Johnny's class. Only five students are chosen every year and she feels very lucky to be one of them. Especially since it is the 50th anniversary of Casa de la Flora. She currently works for a designer in Phoenix, Arizona who seems to have a talent for leading her employees on and never following through. She promised Carly the use of the studio for her class and cancels on her a week before, telling her the liability insurance would be outrageous. Scarlet just knows that she has to come up with the down payment for Johnny's tuition and find a new location for her class, so she takes about 50 LP's from her eclectic collection and goes to her favorite record store - Vega's Vicious Vinyl. She thinks she might have a crush on the owner, Marco, but where she never stops talking, he hardly talks at all. (He secretly has a crush on her too though!) A disastrous incident smashes most of her records as she goes into Marco's store, but it opens the door for a "working" relationship between Marco and Scarlet. He shows her an usused back room that would be perfect for her sewing class!

After letting her students know about the class location switch - only five students remain - Mary Theresa, Olivia, Rosa, Stephanie and Jennifer. Mary Theresa is the type-A mom, and to tell you a little about her - she goes by Mary Theresa - not Mary or any alternative form whatsoever! She is also a workaholic and her husband is the one that stays home and takes care of their twins. She enrolls in the class as their therapist has recommend she take some sort of free-form art class to try to "lighten up" her outlook on life. Stephanie and Jennifer are sisters in high school. One is an athlete and is taking the class because her mother thinks she needs to diversify and the other is a fan of DaisyForever.com. Rosa is an elderly woman who came to Phoenix just to take Scarlet's class. She is terminally ill and is keeping that secret from the class as well as the real reason she is taking Scarlet's class. Olivia rounds out the class as a divorced, single mom of one.

In Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing you mainly learn about Scarlet, Rosa and Mary Theresa and how these women overcome their fears and bond to each other as close as family. They encourage each other and lean on one another. Scarlet, as she deals with a blooming relationship with Marco and a disintegrating relationship with her family - whom she doesn't feel supports her. Mary Theresa as she deals with her husband leaving her to go back to work in another town and a demotion at work cutting her hours and relocating her to work from home. And Rosa, who keeps her secrets close to her heart in order to make her dreams live on.

So I will say it again - Fun book! Great Read! Made me want to unbury my sewing machine from my own craft room and get creative!

(less)

like · see review

Feb 13, 2011 Mary Gramlich rated it 5 of 5 stars

MISS SCARLET’S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING by Kathy Cano-Murillo
A Crafty Chica Novel - 03/11 - Grand Central Publishing - Paperback, 352 pages

This book has it all and then some for every reader so don’t miss the excitement, read.

Scarlet Santana believes that the past fuels her present despite the naysayers in her life and non-believers. Scarlet channels the greatness of designer Daisy de la Flora who revolutionized fashion in her Nana’s time to help her see how great fashion should be envisione...more MISS SCARLET’S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING by Kathy Cano-Murillo
A Crafty Chica Novel - 03/11 - Grand Central Publishing - Paperback, 352 pages

This book has it all and then some for every reader so don’t miss the excitement, read.

Scarlet Santana believes that the past fuels her present despite the naysayers in her life and non-believers. Scarlet channels the greatness of designer Daisy de la Flora who revolutionized fashion in her Nana’s time to help her see how great fashion should be envisioned. Daisy’s life is shrouded in mystery and full of excitement and Scarlet is a living, breathing expert on all things Daisy right down to every little button on Daisy’s dresses. Not knowing if Daisy is even alive still Scarlet believes that Daisy’s designing spirit lives inside her and she has devoted her fashion sense and style in adoration of Daisy. Scarlet has also created a Daisy website and blog where she reminds her followers to chase those dreams and celebrate the little victories in your life and her readers are devoted and respond in kind to her positive attitude.

It is not easy for Scarlet to always celebrate victories when her family is trying to move her onto another career path; her boss is a single-minded fashion diva not looking to mentor but mock Scarlet’s ideas; and she is short on the money she needs to get into an exclusive design school in New York. But Scarlet moves past the difficulties and opens up a sewing class to raise the money and keep her dreams flourishing. Having lost her first location her second option proves to be even better, even if it is a record store add-on but the owner is one cute distraction. Scarlet doesn’t care where she sews she just needs to sew, design and work at teaching others how to tap into their inner skills. Scarlet has the will power to make this happen and the students who want to learn how to create masterpieces using Scarlet’s idea of sewing without a pattern. Scarlet may have her design ideas in the past but her business sense is in the future and she uses every idea to create innovative fashion creations and sewing fixes.

As the class progresses and the students become friends and Scarlet continues to work on her vision of what life can become for everyone. She wants to take the framework of everything in her life and create something wonderful despite the negative thoughts and those that don’t believe because she knows all this makes her what she is and can be. While on the way to New York one road block after another presents itself but Scarlet gets past them and the reward for her effort is one she could never have anticipated.

This book is an honor to read because the more I read the more I believed this is not fiction but someone’s biography of a life well lived. The story is well written, the characters enchanting and Scarlet a delight. You start by cheering her on and in the end celebrate her a huge victory that is well deserved. The sad part is the book must end because you really want to know how the world continues to see Scarlet once she is able to celebrate her small victories.
(less)

like · see review

Mar 07, 2011 Reads4Pleasure rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit-of-color-challenge

Scarlet Santana is a spitfire. With two degrees in engineering, her family wants her to settle down and work a real job. Scarlet, however, has her own ideas.

By day she works for local designer, Carly Fontaine. At night, and in her spare time, she designs her own wardrobe and items to sell on her Etsy site and blogs about her heroine, Daisy de la Flora. The deceased Daisy was a designer and person Scarlet most admires. Through her blog, she shares with her readers her dreams and passion for livin...more

like · see review

Apr 03, 2012 Jamie Wilde-West rated it 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book. I couldn't put it down. I wish I could give the book 6 stars. I loved the character stories Scarlet and of her students. I felt I was very invested in their stories and how the story ended up. Like Scarlet, I am a Craft Junkie. I could relate with Scarlet's life, I tend to take on so many projects and disappoint the people that matter the most in the process. The author uses spanish in her book, which I loved..... I learned new spanish words and it inspired me to...more

like · see review

Mar 11, 2011 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

It is very rare for me, but I DNF this book. It is well-written, the genre was not for me, but I have heard others adore this book, so do give other reviews a look.

To read more about the book please visit Rundpinne.

like 1 like · see review

Mar 14, 2011 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, read-march-2011

Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing is everything I thought it would be and so much more. It's a light, fun story with interesting characters, yet there is a serious tone to it as well with lessons learned, love and friendship. But I think the main thing is this book is a pleasure to read from start to finish. I found myself feeling like I was right there among the characters, and sharing life and love with them while learning Miss Scarlet's patternless sewing method.

If you don't sew or...more Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing is everything I thought it would be and so much more. It's a light, fun story with interesting characters, yet there is a serious tone to it as well with lessons learned, love and friendship. But I think the main thing is this book is a pleasure to read from start to finish. I found myself feeling like I was right there among the characters, and sharing life and love with them while learning Miss Scarlet's patternless sewing method.

If you don't sew or aren't crafty - don't worry - this book is about so much more than sewing or crafting. It is a thread that runs through the book but it does not take over. It's just like that extra added bonus for those of us who do sew.

The characters are outstanding. I loved Scarlet and watching her grow and learn through this book. She is so spunky and sure of herself that I want to be her when I grow up. I like that she never lets her spunky side go even when times are hard. I like to hear how she dresses and found descriptions of her house, her clothes and her family to be a lot of fun. I also love Mary Theresa and see a lot of myself in her as she is in the beginning, so tight and order driven. I love how she changes and grows and learns to let go a little and becomes a whole new person while staying true to herself. It's a tough process but I loved her as she changed. Rosa is also an amazing character - the little old lady with spunk who attends the class and captures everyone's heart. Add to that two teenage sisters and Olivia, who is spunky in her own way and uses her life lessons to help teach Scarlet and Mary Theresa lessons along the way.

The plot is wonderful as well - will Scarlet get the money to go to her dream sewing internship? That seems to be the main question along with wondering if she will stay true to herself and also who exactly is Rosa? I love how the plot weaves the lives of the sewing classmates lives together and how they all become friends out of class - friends that will help each other when situations are bad. There are some very humorous scenes in the book, I laughed and laughed at times and at other times I was so touched I was in tears.

What else can I say - I loved this book - it's a great women's fiction book. It's the tale of life, love, family and friendship and everyone learns valuable lessons. Ms. Cano-Murillo weaves this magic tale in a wonderful way that had me turning page after page to see what would happen next to the members of the sewing class and Miss Scarlet. I can't say enough about the feel-good quality of this book. It's just one of those books that you sigh with happiness at the end and then you want more and more of the characters. I would say these characters will stick with you for quite awhile, and feel like friends when the book is over. Thank you Cathy Cano-Murillo for your wonderful book and I look forward to more fiction titles in the future!

(less)

like 1 like · see review

Mar 30, 2011 Toni rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, 2011-colorful-chick-lit-challenge, 2011

The "Crafty Chica" has done it again with a fabulous novel about creativity and perseverance. I thoroughly enjoyed her first book in the series, Waking Up in The Land of Glitter, which not only featured women who took their crafting seriously, but also had a plot that would appeal to people who have no interest in the hobby. Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing achieves the same, masterfully.

Scarlet Santana has a brilliant mind and a degree in engineering that could easily bring in enough...more

like · see review

Jan 05, 2012 Angela White rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

I enjoyed this book thoroughly, so much that I made my friend Stephanie get the book because the main character reminded me of Stephie so much.

What do you get when you have a young woman with a penchant for fashion, sewing, and making people happy? Well, if you throw in a bit of obsession for a famous designer with a flamboyant style, you'll get Miss Scarlet Santana, blogger, teacher, and fashion aspirant.

In order to achieve her dreams of being part of a select professional development program,...more

like · see review

Apr 07, 2011 Melanie Coombes rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

This story is about Scarlet Santana. She is never as happy as when she is creating fabulous fashions and posting on her daisyforever.com blog. In fact, she walked away from a profitable job in engineering to pursue her passion for sewing and crafty designs. Now Scarlet finally has a chance to prove to her skeptical family that she can make it in the world of fashion when she is accepted into the Johnny Scissors design program in NYC. The only hitch is coming up with the expensive tuition money.

T...more This story is about Scarlet Santana. She is never as happy as when she is creating fabulous fashions and posting on her daisyforever.com blog. In fact, she walked away from a profitable job in engineering to pursue her passion for sewing and crafty designs. Now Scarlet finally has a chance to prove to her skeptical family that she can make it in the world of fashion when she is accepted into the Johnny Scissors design program in NYC. The only hitch is coming up with the expensive tuition money.

This is where the story really begins. Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop to raise her funds. Here we are introduced to Maria Theresa, a extremely uptight, rigid, "follow the rules" mother of twins who signs up for the class as a suggestion from her marriage counselor. Then there is Rosa, an older women who seems to have a mysterious past. Mixed in with this group is Marco, the record store owner and several other class participants. Scarlet must ultimately decide whether she must pursue her dream and possibly lose herself in the process

I LOVED this book. There was a bit of romance, even some humor. Mostly thought it was about honoring friendships and family and finding ones inner strength and power. The writing was flawless in my opinion. I loved Scarlet's quirky character. She bubbled with enthusiasm, but was shown to have her limits just like everyone. I found myself enjoying all the female characters in this book. An uplifting story with strong female characters. You don't have to be into crafts to enjoy this story either.

This book even comes with 3 original project ideas and crafting tips at the end. I only wish their was a sketch include in that section showing up an idea of what Scarlet's famous Mexibilly frock looks like!

I am going to add this author's first book, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter to my to read list right now. One of the better books I have read this year! Thank you to the goodreads giveaway program for this win.(less)

like · see review

Aug 28, 2012 Margaret rated it 2 of 5 stars

I enjoyed parts of the book, but felt dragged down by the subplot of Mary Theresa and her husband. At times I wanted to just shake Miss Scarlet, first for her overzealous enthusiasm, then for her manic determination that went against the grain for all she stood for, and finally, for her nonchalant treatment of those who loved her. I did like the concept of the book; the desire to follow a dream that doesn't fit the idea others have for the individual, but Scarlet was frenzied in her efforts and...more

like 1 like · see review

Mar 09, 2011 Freda mans rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you enjoyed Julie & Julia, than you will enjoy this book. It's a fashionista's version of it. Instead of food, it's all about fashion. Although there is a mix of women that makes for a great story of friendship.
This is one of those stories that you finish, and feel like you wish you had the next book already lined up, ready to read. Sadly I do not. I don't even know if there is another in this series.
Speaking of which....
I had not read Waking Up In The Land Of Glitter, the previous book i...more

like · see review

Apr 06, 2011 Mandy Moody rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, general-fiction, i-own

Put in a purchase request at the Library.
The premise of this reminds me of The School of Essential Ingredients, which I LOVED. So I put in a purchase request at my library. However, I was lucky enough to win a copy from a Goodreads giveaway before
the library copy came in.

I read all but about 30 pages of this in one night - the story was so much fun that I just couldn't put it down until it literally fell out of my hands.
Scarlett Santana is 30 years old and chasing her fashion designer dreams....more Put in a purchase request at the Library.
The premise of this reminds me of The School of Essential Ingredients, which I LOVED. So I put in a purchase request at my library. However, I was lucky enough to win a copy from a Goodreads giveaway before
the library copy came in.

I read all but about 30 pages of this in one night - the story was so much fun that I just couldn't put it down until it literally fell out of my hands.
Scarlett Santana is 30 years old and chasing her fashion designer dreams. She writes a popular blog (dedicated to her designing idol, Daisy de la Flora) and works for a local designer, Carly Fontaine. She sells many of her own creations on Etsy and is fairly successful - but she wants more.
When she's accepted into the Johnny Scissors design school she believes it's exactly what she needs to launch her career. The only problem is the tuition - a massive amount of money that Scarlett doesn't have.
To raise the money she decides to teach a class - Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing - and this is where we meet the rest of our characters.
Mary Theresa is a working mother of twins in an unhappy marriage. Olivia is a strong, single mother who's regained her confidence after being burned by her ex-husband. Rosa is an ailing ederly woman with a lifetime of knowledge and wisdom to share. Marco runs the record shop where Scarlet's class is held.

I loved the way their stories weaved together. Although the ending was NOT a surprise, (I don't believe it was even supposed to be) I really enjoyed the journey to get there.

Why it wasn't a 5 star (spoiler alert!)
*The supernatural twist of Daisy's spirit haunting Rosa and Joseph. I'm a fan of the supernatural - but it didn't really seem to FIT in this novel.
*The lack of resolution to Scarlet and Marco's relationship - um, did I miss something? He just left? Without a plan? Without any promises? Just "think of it as a vacation spot"???
*Scarlet's lack of self promotion - just didn't ring true to me that she'd never considered her own creations worthy of being her flagship designs. I don't know anyone that works that hard on their own ideas and DOESN'T think they are awesome.

A solid 4 star read. Scarlet is a smart, strong Hispanic woman and I really enjoyed her story :)(less)

like · see review

Apr 08, 2012 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book!!!! It was about following your dream but being careful you have the right dream, not letting other people talk you into something that's wrong just becasue it seems so right. And best of all women helping other other and being there for each other!!! And best of all it's set in Glendale, AZ - where I live!!!! What fun. I will go to the author's website and absolutely read her other book, Waking up in the Land of Glitter. She also has published several craft books too which I w...more

like · see review

Mar 17, 2011 Martha Davis rated it 3 of 5 stars

You know what I hate about really good characters in novels? I hate I can’t go hang out with them and be their best buddies. It’s true for Neighbor Dorothy from Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg, it’s true for Maisie Dobss, it’s true of the Waverly sisters from Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, and it’s true of Miss Scarlet Santana. I want to go out for drinks and dancing then go home and make something shiny and sparkly and I’m not a shiny, sparkly kind of girl. There’s just something...more You know what I hate about really good characters in novels? I hate I can’t go hang out with them and be their best buddies. It’s true for Neighbor Dorothy from Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg, it’s true for Maisie Dobss, it’s true of the Waverly sisters from Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, and it’s true of Miss Scarlet Santana. I want to go out for drinks and dancing then go home and make something shiny and sparkly and I’m not a shiny, sparkly kind of girl. There’s just something about Miss Scarlet that makes you think glitter is a good idea.

Miss Scarlet (named after the character from the game Clue not, surprisingly Scarlet O’Hara) is a charming, vivacious woman who knows what she wants out of life. She willing gives up a high paying engineering career for a life of happiness in fashion.

The story is just delightful. I wasn’t sure about using that word but really there is no other word that suits as well.It’s just delightful. It has so much of what I love in a novel. There’s old Hollywood mystique, fashion, friendship, romance, and even a little mystery. This is a perfect novel to read if you just want to be happy and maybe be inspired to be a little crafty.

It may take you a little bit to get used to the writing style. Kathy (I”m going to call her Kathy because it seems to be she’s just that kind of gal) has a quirky, funky voice that just captures the feeling of this book. Santana’s Blog entry as such fun and are actually inspiring with her idea’s little ways to make your life sparkly, glittery, and generally happy.

There’s also a great group of women who are Santana’s friends. From the uptight Mary Theresa and her need to loosen up to save her marriage to the wonderful Olivia, or should I say Oh-Live-Yah! who is reclaiming her life after her marriage fell apart, and then there’s the mysterious, wise Rosa who will show Scarlet what is really important.

The other star of this story is the fictional Hollywood designer Daisy de la Flora. Inspired by Carmen Miranda, Daisy goes to New York to become the designer she knows she can be. After years of worship Santana will find out the real story of Daisy and learn more about herself.

The ending ties everything up in a nice pretty frock, which is just what I was looking for. As far as happy endings go, this was a good one and one of the reasons I found the book so delightful.(less)

like · see review

May 10, 2011 C.a. Freeburn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing is filled with strong women characters. Two that stand out in the book to me are Scarlet and Mary Theresa. At first, I found her extremely controlling and unlikeable but grew on me when I saw that part of her story was learning that about herself. She showed that a woman can try so hard to be indepedent that winds up destroying her personal relationship. I loved taking the journey with Mary Theresa. She struggled to find a balance between being herself...more

like · see review

May 19, 2011 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing by Kathy Cano Murillo is an uplifting story about a woman with a dream, and the plans she makes and friends she has that help her to achieve it. Scarlet Santana is a sewing whiz with a vision that’s off the beaten path. She’s inspired by bright colors, bold pairings, Carmen Miranda, and Daisy de la Flora. Her dream is to become a famous fashion designer, and it’s nearly realized when she is offered a coveted spot in the Johnny “Scissors” Tijeras Emergi...more Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing by Kathy Cano Murillo is an uplifting story about a woman with a dream, and the plans she makes and friends she has that help her to achieve it. Scarlet Santana is a sewing whiz with a vision that’s off the beaten path. She’s inspired by bright colors, bold pairings, Carmen Miranda, and Daisy de la Flora. Her dream is to become a famous fashion designer, and it’s nearly realized when she is offered a coveted spot in the Johnny “Scissors” Tijeras Emerging Designers Program in New York City. Johnny just happens to be the nephew of her idol, reclusive designer Daisy de la Flora. The problems she runs into are lack of money (this is not a free program…she must pay thousands of dollars in order to participate), what it means to give something your all, and the lack of support from her family, who think she’s wasting her life on this foolish dream.

Scarlet needs cash, and she needs it fast in order to pay for her tuition in the prestigious Johnny Scissors Emerging Designers Program inNew York City. She decides to teach a patternless sewing class at the design studio of her boss, esteemed designer Carly Fontaine, but at the last minute, Carly reneges on the deal they had, and Scarlet is left with a lot of paying students, but without a suitable space.

Coming to the rescue is hunky Marco Vega, owner of record store Vicious Vinyl, who just happens to have the space Scarlet needs, and is willing to do what it takes to get Scarlet to use the space…and notice him. Now that the class isn’t at the prestigious Carly Fontaine design studio, some of her students have dropped out; okay, most of them have dropped out. But that’s okay – Scarlet has a plan for raising the extra money she needs – she’ll just work harder and longer!
Her students are an eclectic bunch. There’s workaholic Mary Theresa whose marriage is about as tangled as a wayward bobbin; Rosa, a seasoned seamstress herself who has ulterior motives for being in the class; Stephanie and Jennifer, teenage sisters – one of which wants to be in the class, and one who would rather be out playing sports; and "Ohliveyah", a single mom, just getting by, who is learning to live for herself after being stuck in a bad marriage. They learn to let go of their inhibitions, love themselves, and make time for each other, all while sewing beautiful clothes…without using a pattern.

Scarlet’s family cannot understand why she’s going after this ridiculous dream. She has two degrees, and she could be a great engineer making a six figure salary instead of slaving away. Scarlet decides that avoidance is the best way to deal with this problem, but that creates even more of a rift in her family. She’s not sure that she’ll ever be able to get them to see that while she could be an engineer, she will be a great designer.
Will Scarlet raise the money she needs? Will she uncover her friends’ secrets? Will her family ever accept her for who she is? You need to read the book in order to find out!

The story isn’t only about Scarlet and her dreams. Kathy Cano Murillo does an excellent job at giving the reader things to think about in our own lives, most especially through the blog posts Scarlet writes on her Daisy Forever blog. The overall message of the book is to believe in yourself and to follow your dreams, and to make sure you take the time to enjoy the process and the special people in your life while you do that. This book came at a time in my life when I most needed it. I was feeling down about myself, and I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m not going to lie, I cried for a good portion of the end of the book – but in a good way, not a bad way. That’s how deeply this book touched me.

Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who wants to read a story about all of the ups and downs that are taken when you stay true to yourself and follow your dreams.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 02, 2011 Wendy Tatton rated it 5 of 5 stars

I entered the Goodreads First Reads drawing for this book and won!! Yeahhh! I was so happy because of all the book drawings I entered, this is the one I wanted most! I read it in just a few days. I love this book! It is a very fun read and story that pulls you in and just when you think you have the end figured out, it suprises you! The Charachters are complex and I learned a lot from them. I really want to be like Scarlet! She is fun, spunky, smart, motivated, and very creative. I now want to w...more

like · see review

Jan 13, 2013 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars

The writing was pretty good, but I found it hard to relate to any of the characters. It's not that they were so materialistic, but style was awfully important to them as were certain "things". I should have guessed that if it was about sewing, fashion might be involved. Also, while the reader would pronounce some of the Spanish words that were tossed in (too infrequently)correctly, why did she also say "duh" la Flora?

like · see review

Mar 24, 2012 Hmo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Picked it up for the observation that I *REALLY* need some productive creative outlet for relaxing. Really enjoyed it. The protagonist is a bit flaky for my taste (dinged a star), but the other characters made the book. The ending was also a little far-fetched (dinged the second star), but still, an entertaining read especially if you're a Type A looking for a creative outlet!

like 1 like · see review

May 16, 2011 Jen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I saw the title of this book and thought it was an actual how-to guide to patternless sewing, but when I got it at the library discovered it was a novel. Fun, quick read, whether you are a seamstress or not. There are even directions in the back on how to make your own dress form!

like · see review

Mar 07, 2011 Ammie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Enjoy this book! Dreams can happen if someone wants it bad enough and willing to work for it. The real life issues with family and creating friendships that will be there for a long time to come. It allows the read to feel like they are in the town of Glendale during Christmas.

like · see review

Mar 20, 2011 Lynne-marie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Like a red-hot candy, a thrill of expectations, a piquancy on the tongue and then nothing. No layers of taste, no nutrition, no filling of the stomach or the mind. A totally throw-away book, suitable for an after-noon in the lawn chair but not much else.

like · see review

Mar 15, 2011 Debbi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Crafty Chica series...VERY fun! I liked it so much that I'm hunting for her first Crafty Chica novel: Waking Up in the Land of Glitter. Plenty of style, pizazz and wildly fun, creative characters... I want a Mexxibilly dress. Keep your eyes on Cano-Murillo!

like · see review

Aug 04, 2011 Cj Woods rated it 4 of 5 stars

I won this book through one of the giveaways here on Goodreads. I didn't know anything about the author, but the description of the book intrigued me - maybe because I just took up sewing after inheriting my mother's sewing machine. Anyway, the story is enchanting and there are definitely lessons to be learned. It has its thought provoking moments, but is also a really nice story which I was able to get lost in. You find yourself pulling for Scarlet to find her happiness. All in all a definite "...more

like · see review

Apr 27, 2011 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, crafty

Powered through this one. Didn't grab me right off the bat, but once we got some character development going it went alright.

A fluffy but enjoyable read which makes me want to pursue my interests in sewing. Now if only I had a Miss Scarlet to teach me!

like · see review

Jul 22, 2011 Eileen rated it 3 of 5 stars

First a big thank you to Goodreads for sending me this book. This is an awesome site and a great place to find good books and connect with fellow readers. I found Kathy Cano-Murillo's novel to be a fun, fast read. I liked the character of Scarlett Santana and her friends and family. That being said however, the sudden split between Scarlett and her parents didn't ring quite true for me. Also I think that Scarlett seemed to fade into the background and her story got lost as Daisy's picked up. The...more

like · see review

title link	preview: Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing
avg rating	preview: Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing Goodreads rating: 3.65 (192 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8614147-miss-scarlet-s-school-of-patternless-sewing?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344266454l/8614147.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8614147-miss-scarlet-s-school-of-patternless-sewing?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing by Kathy Cano-Murillo[/url]

Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (6)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Miss Scarlet's Sc...

Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (6)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Miss Scarlet's Sc...

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (6)