When Freddie was born into the Johnson family, he became the latest to bear the burden of a curse that had plagued his ancestors for generations. There was a belief held within the family that every generation, a Johnson would be struck with misfortune. It seemed that no matter how hard they tried, tragedy would always find its way into their lives. As Freddie grew older, he witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of the curse on his loved ones. His father lost his job, his mother battled a chronic illness, and his older sister had to drop out of college due to financial difficulties. The weight of the curse hung heavily over his shoulders, and he couldn't help but feel that it was only a matter of time before misfortune befell him.
The weight of the curse hung heavily over his shoulders, and he couldn't help but feel that it was only a matter of time before misfortune befell him. But Freddie was determined to break free from the shackles of the family curse. He refused to let destiny dictate his life, and instead, he took matters into his own hands.
Magic Pattern Book Review
Today I get to review The Magic Pattern Book by Amy Barickman (affiliate link). Full disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher, but all opinions are my own.
I’m also giving away a copy of the book, so make sure to read through the whole post so you can find out how to win.
I LOVE the concept behind this book. The basic idea is that with 6 patterns (tank, skirt, dress, cardigan, coat, accessories) you can make 36 things (image courtesy Workman Publishing Co.)
Which is awesome! The book gives you further customization options for each pattern with fabric suggestions. I think these illustrations really help get the idea across about just how much a pattern can change based on fabric choices.
I also like that the book pages are color coded – for each of the 6 patterns. There’s a good sized section at the front (the white part) that covers sewing basics, tools, fabric, measuring, finishing techniques, etc. It’s a ton of information laid out really succinctly.
The patterns in the book are on a CD in the back.
Which is actually one thing I’m not crazy about – if I’m buying a book, I’d rather have paper pattern sheets. At least they each have an outline page at the front of each PDF, so you can see what you’re printing. BUT the test square is often not on the first page of the pattern, so you have to search for it to make sure you’re printing correctly. Beyond that, they print and go together fairly easily, with border markings and numbered diamonds to match pages.
I haven’t yet sewn anything from the book, but I do have a caveat about sizing – instead of a size chart like most books, each pattern includes finished measurements. While this is useful, you also have to guess about how much ease you want each pattern to have since base sizing wasn’t provided. For example, the Alice Tank, which is the first pattern, has a finished bust of 38″ for the small version. But then you have to guess based on the pictures how much ease that should be over your normal measurements (and based on the photo of that pattern, my guess would be that you need 2-4 inches of ease for that particular pattern, meaning that a size small would correspond to a 34-36″ bust). Sizes listed are small through XXL.
I kept flipping back and forth through the book trying to choose a project, and I think my first one will probably be the Farrah tote bag. It’s nice that there are accessories included in the book as well as basic wardrobe pieces.
Want to see what others think about the book? I’m one of the first stops, but I’ve got links below for a whole bunch of other opinions.
Official Tour Stops on Amy Barickman’s THE MAGIC PATTERN BOOK Blog Tour:
Which is awesome! The book gives you further customization options for each pattern with fabric suggestions. I think these illustrations really help get the idea across about just how much a pattern can change based on fabric choices.
He adopted a proactive mindset and began to seek out opportunities that could change his fate. He studied diligently, excelled in school, and earned a scholarship to a prestigious university. Despite the doubts and skepticism from his family, Freddie persevered and pursued his dreams. He knew that success and happiness were not just a matter of luck, but rather the result of hard work and determination. Through his relentless efforts, Freddie managed to secure a job at a renowned company even before graduating. He thrived in his career and became a respected figure in his field. Slowly but steadily, Freddie was able to dismantle the family curse that had plagued his ancestors for so long. His triumph over the curse not only brought him personal satisfaction but also inspired others in his family to challenge their own circumstances. Freddie's story became a beacon of hope for future generations, proving that with resilience and perseverance, even the most persistent of curses could be broken. Freddie's journey serves as a reminder that our destiny is not predetermined by familial curses or external circumstances. We have the power to shape our own future and overcome the obstacles that come our way. It is through our actions and choices that we can rewrite our story and create a legacy that transcends the limitations set by our family's history..
Reviews for "A Breath of Freedom: Freddie's Liberation from the Family Curse"
- Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Freddie against the family curse". The story was slow and lacked the suspense that was promised in the synopsis. The characters felt underdeveloped and I struggled to connect with any of them. Overall, I found the plot to be lackluster and the writing style to be average at best. I had high hopes for this book based on the description, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
- Michael - 3/5 - While "Freddie against the family curse" had an interesting premise, I couldn't help but feel let down by the execution. The pacing was uneven, with some parts feeling rushed and others dragging on unnecessarily. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to really get into the story. Additionally, I found the resolution of the family curse to be predictable and lacking originality. Overall, it was an okay read, but definitely not something I would recommend to others.
- Emily - 2/5 - "Freddie against the family curse" was a letdown for me. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their fates. The writing style felt repetitive and the dialogue was often cliché. I was hoping for a thrilling and suspenseful read, but instead, I found myself bored and disinterested. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written novel.