The pageantry of the Samba Parades in Rio de Janeiro is the central beating heart of Rio Carnival. If you are ever free to visit Rio de Janeiro Carnival you can count yourself as one of the lucky party revelers. However, you can visit one of the Samba Schools to get the essence of Carnival without the crazy street parties and wild events.

While the weather outside may be frightful, inside it is so delightful. After plowing through all the holiday sewing, it’s time to tackle some personal projects. Simplicity Patterns has dropped 10 new early spring sewing patterns to get your inspiration flowing.

Sewing outwear can be a challenge, but with the Sew Over It Cocoon Coat, even a confident beginner can tackle this pattern easily. The relaxed fit and drop shoulders give the coat a chic casual appearance. The coat is designed to be worn open and has no buttonholes, perfect for someone learning how to sew a winter coat.

Packing for a cruise vacation requires some cruise outfit essentials. You need several bathing suits, cover ups, a cocktail dress, and perhaps something for formal nights (if your ship has one). But you also need chic and fun cruise clothes — maxi dresses, tank dresses, cute pants, and wearable skirts in your cruise wear wardrobe.

The trendy details you find in ready-to-wear today may not make it to the sewing pattern styles as quickly as we would like — if at all. The open leg side slit has been around for a few seasons and it is difficult to find in patterns. It is easy to be inspired by a designer detail and transfer that to a commercial pattern to create fashionable clothing.

A beautifully lined dress looks expensive, feels expensive, and is so easy to accomplish. It should be your goto finishing technique. Adding a dress lining is an easy pattern hack — it can be accomplished with almost any pattern. The best part — you get to ditch the facings.

Simplicity Pattern 9789 offers three make options. For this review I made the knit, ruched one-shoulder top. This top is an interesting concept, double fabric layers and a one shoulder detail.

Simplicity Pattern 9789 offers three make options. For this review I made the knit, wide leg pants – they are like wearing secret pajamas.

I love a good knit skirt, and Simplicity Patterns 9788 has some nice details. It will make a nice addition to my summer and cruisewear wardrobe.

Ok, I really like this Dove Blouse pattern. I love the bell sleeves. It is fun to wear, floaty, and feminine. When sewn up in this stunning stretch lace in a eye popping red, it is truly a showstopper. Bright red is a current fashion trend for fall and winter and always a seasonal favorite.