My plan for today was to share a completed (and well-fitting) Zadie Jumpsuit. Well, it is completed but not so well fitting. I shortened the rise, so the pants fit well but I neglected to contemplate the length of the bodice (which I generally never have issues with) and it is way.too.short! But, I am not out much… I used the cotton fabric I got from IKEA for $1 a yard… so for $4 I know what changes I need to make.
So today you get a progress shot of my Mystery Shawl as I am working my way through Clue Four!
I also am moving right along on Purl Strings at night. I will share an updated image on that next week!
However, the reading this week was stellar. Oh.my.gosh. So, so good! Mill on the Floss gave me another bingo this week, but still no cover all. I have two squares to go on that Bingo Card. AND…I have five squares filled in on my second card.
Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Saga of Maggie and Tom Tulliver… from childhood through adulthood. This is truly and epic novel… there is so much to unpack here and days after finishing it, I am still processing this magnificent story.
I laughed, I cried, and I cried some more. And the ending… wow. I did not see that coming at all. The writing and the language are just spectacular. It is brilliantly crafted and it is perhaps the gold standard for Victorian Age writing. If you have not read this, why not. Really. Get it and listen. (the audio version read by Wanda McCaddon is a stellar choice!)
The Rain in Portugal: New Poems by Billy Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The trouble with the present is that it’s always in a state of vanishing.
I simply loved every.single.word. This is a book I will read over and over and over!
That is all I have for this week! As always, if you wrote a post to share, please leave your link below and thank you!
That jumpsuit looks amazing! I can’t wait to see your next version. Your MKAL is just perfect!
Thanks for the book recs, I haven’t read either of these!
That jumpsuit looks both comfortable and classy. A well-spent $4 and I look forward to seeing your changes. Of course, your Mystery Shawl is beautiful, and I am going to look for that Billy Collins book of poetry. I’m very glad for the recommendation!
Billy Collins NEVER disappoints. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed his poetry. (And The Mill on the Floss is one of my very favorites in the “classics” genre.) You’re a trooper for hanging in with sewing fit adjustments — and especially with a jumpsuit. . . where there really is no room for fit error. I can’t wait to see your finished (and well-fitting!) final version.
Love the jumpsuit pattern. I’m so tempted to try one and wish I had a working machine to sew one. Alas my sewing machine died during a mask making frenzy. Thanks for the audio book recommendation. The narrator makes such a difference. Oh and the shawl, wow!
Looking forward to seeing your jumpsuit! And the shawl is looking lovely. I adore The Mill on the Floss. It is one of the books on my constant reread rotation. Hope the Bingo card is filled soon. I still have not got a line, even though I have read more than half the books! I seem to be spreading them out all over the card!
You are the second person to mention IKEA fabric — who knew? If I do end up getting into sewing, it’s good to know there’s an affordable source. I look forward to seeing your jumpsuit once you’ve made your adjustments!
I’m glad to hear a glowing review of a classic book. You definitely influenced me to read Middlemarch last year, which I was really pleasantly surprised by, so now I am adding The Mill on the Floss to my list!
Cannot wait to see your jumpsuit! Esp in an IKEA fabric! And, oh, Billy Collins…my ever-favorite. Ordering that one for my brother’s birthday right. now. He introduced me to him more than 20 years ago now, and he remains my #1. (Feeling, too, like it might be time for a George Eliot reread!)
I adore Billy Collins! And I just got the George Eliot audiobook. 🙂 You never lead me wrong!
Mill on the Floss! I recently came across my “To do in 2020” list, and one of the items was to read three classic novels. Your review has prompted me to request that one from the library. Thank you!
Did I ever mention that I did my senior thesis in college on George Eliot? Mill on the Floss is my favorite of all of her works! I’m so glad you enjoyed it as well.
Billy Collins is always good. I love his wry sense of humor. That shawl is to die for – I absolutely love the yarn. The yarn and pattern are well matched. I’m glad you are not out too much with a first try on the jumpsuit. The next one will have a better fit for sure.
my IRL (on Zoom) knitting group is definitely of mixed opinions about this MKAL (me – still at the start of clue 4), so I love your progress photo and continued enthusiasm for the design! also, yay for $1 a yard fabric and a muslin that teaches something good. I’m no where near confident enough to sew a one piece garment that needs to fit boobs and crotch 😉
Your shawl is looking amazing, I am glad it is not just me that is sewing a garment and are having to redo part of it as it doesn’t fit as well as it could do, I have the same problem here!
I love Mill on the Floss, I remember reading it first as a teenager, I have read it again several times since. A wonderful book.
Winners! Abound. Love the mystery shawl, looking forward to the jumpsuit and Mill on the Floss! Whoa!
Knit, Read and Stitch on!
Cheers~
I’m reading Middlemarch and enjoying this super long book immensely! Love your shawl progress, so pretty!!