Skating Update: A Comparison of the Roll Line Dance and Energy Plates

As I have been hinting in several of my recent blog posts, there have been a few recent developments as far as both my skating and sewing lives go.  Mostly in the form of new toys.  Last year, my readers may recall, I did a large multi-part series analyzing my switch from Atlas to Roll Line skate plates (you can find the index of posts here).  After much trial, tribulation, frustration, and triumph, I ended up quite happy with my figure skates (Harlick boot, Roll Line Giotto Plate, Roll Line Giotto wheels) and my loop skates (Harlick boot, Atlas figure plate, Roll Line Giotto wheels).  I was also initially quite happy with my new dance plates, the Roll Line Dance:

Dance skates last year...

But after a year on these skates, I realized I really preferred the feel of my figure plates, which were a half size smaller.  Sadly, the Roll Line Dance doesn't come in half sizes, so when I got my much needed new dance boots at the start of this season, I decided I would use the Roll Line Ring plate (which I had got for figures but didn't really like using for figures or loops) since it was essentially the same as the Dance plate, the only difference being the lack of a toe stop mount.  At the time I had no need for a toe stop, so my dance skates ended up looking like this:

Dance skates at the start of the season...

I have been skating on these plates most of the year (after about a day I switched to the green urethane cushions - I found that with the shorter plate I needed a softer cushion than when I used the slightly too long plate - and eventually switched to the even softer medium rubber).  Of course, just when I thought things were good and my skates were feeling very settled, events turned about such that I had need of a toe-stop mount on my dance skates.  I tried using my older skates, but the worn out boot and too-long plate ended up making life more difficult than it needed to be.  So after much hemming, hawing, and deliberation I made the decision that needed to be made and sold my old Dance plates so I could afford a plate to suit my current skating needs, the Roll Line Energy:

Dance skates now!

The one thing I will say about Roll Line - my options were extremely limited knowing that I needed a half-size plate with a toe stop mount with the main purpose being for a dance skate.  As in, my only option was an Energy.  Which has actually ended up being ok, because I really really like this plate.  Even more than the Ring/Dance plate to be honest (heresy, I know!!!).  I have been on this plate only a few weeks, but really it was instant love the first time I put them on.  It was similar to my reaction to the Giotto plate after I had been using the Ring for figures - it just felt right.  Which doesn't necessarily mean it is the right plate for everyone.  But I do know it is the right plate for me.

Roll Line Energy plate.

At this point I pretty much have tested the gamut of Roll Line plates that are available in the US, at least as far as dance and figure skating go (I don't skate freestyle, so I can't comment on the Energy/Matrix comparison), and I have developed a few thoughts and opinions:

(1) Proper plate size the the most important thing.  The front axel should be under the ball of the foot.  The back axel should be under the center heel.  A longer plate will offer the skater more room for error, but that also makes it take more effort to control because it will delay the response of the skate.  A properly sized plate will offer the skater better results than differences between brands or styles.  Switching from the too-long dance plate to the correct size took me a while to adjust, but ultimately resulted in better skating with less stress on my knees and joints because the skate did what I wanted when I wanted with less resistance.

(2) Rubber cushions for the win!  I had been skating on urethane cushions for dance, but after too many complaints about me rocking off edges I switched to all rubber.  On some of the harder dances I still need to work my edge continuity, but it is much easier for me to maintain an edge on rubber cushions than on the urethane, which tend to "pop back" into the non-compressed position more quickly, and throw me off my edge.  I had already been using rubber on my figure skates, but I have been enjoying them on my dance skates lately as well.  I have heard the arguments for urethane, I have skated urethane, but at the end of the day I just don't think I will ever really like urethane.  Yes, it lasts longer, but that is about the only positive thing I can say for it.  At least as far as dance and figures go.  For freestyle... well, I can see how urethane might be better suited to that sort of skating.  But for me?  Rubber cushions.  The end.

Medium rubber cushions for the win!

(3) As far as a direct comparison of the Roll Line Energy vs. the Roll Line Dance or Roll Line Ring - I have already stated that I prefer the Energy.  But most other people who have made the switch have preferred to go the other direction.  Am I weird?  Perhaps a bit, but there is definitely a difference in the feel of the plates.  With the Energy I feel like I am on top of the skate, and like I can press into the edge and get a much quicker response.  However, I have noticed that there is a greater probability of slipping when I am attempting a deep edge.  I feel like I can get a quicker response on my one-foot turns, though that may just be because they have the same feel as my figure skates.  I also feel like I can get a better stronger push off of the Energy plates than the Dance plates.  I definitely feel higher off the floor (the angle of the kingpin does make this a slightly taller plate).  When I was skating on the Dance/Ring plates instead of feeling like I was on top of the skate I felt like I was stuck between the wheels.  It made for a very secure feeling on deep edges, but I also felt like it would get stuck on an edge and was perhaps not as quick to respond to sudden changes of edge.  I also felt like sometimes when I tried to do a three-turn the skate would be stuck on an edge and not want to change the arc and flip to the back edge.  It isn't that these plates were difficult to skate on (indeed, I really rather liked them), but it is more that I find the Energy to be easier to use for my style of skating.  I suppose one of the main reasons is that I appreciate that it feels like my figure skates, but really I just like that feeling that I am totally balanced over my skate.  Last year I tried really hard to use the Ring plates for loops, but at the end of the day I just don't enjoy feeling like I am stuck between the wheels.  Personal preference, but there it is.  If I am really objective about the different skates I might say that the Dance plate would be better for the International style of dance skating, and the Energy might be better for the American style.  Not that you couldn't use either plate for either style of skating, but the different feel might give a slight advantage to the different styles of skating.

(4) I had to borrow my sister's skates while I was waiting to transition from the Ring to the Energy, so I can now say that I have skated on Roll Line, Atlas, and Snyder.  The Energy plates actually have a very similar feel to the Snyder, but the Roll Line definitely has a more solid and secure feel.  I think the Dance plate actually feels closer to the Atlas, though the Energy and and Dance feel more like each other than they do to the other brands of plate.  In the end the best skate is really depends on the preference of the skater, but I will say that any of the Roll Line plates could be a great option.

(5) One of the nice things about the Roll Line plates is that they easily maintain value if you take care of them.  I am totally satisfied with my skate set-up at this point, and I have been selling off the equipment I know I won't have use for any longer.  So though finding my ideal skate has been a bit of a long and expensive journey, getting good quality equipment has been a worthwhile investment - either because it has helped my skating improve, or because it maintained good resale value.

So, yeah, the journey of my skates.  Longer than I had anticipated, but I finally really feel like they are my skates.  It is something hard to describe, but there is this wonderful feeling of comfort and control when things just feel right.  At this point I feel like I can finally stop analyzing and tinkering and just go skate.

Newsflash: June Burda Early Preview Posted

The early preview of the June BurdaStyle magazine has been posted on the Russian website.  So far I am sort of excited.  I mean, yes, it is summer, so there are a fair number of boring boxy throw away patterns, but this issue looks like it also has more than a few really pretty dresses and functional summer clothes.  Here are some of the more notable preview pictures:

Pretty!  I might leave the flower off of the shoulder,
but I do like the simple gather at the waist.

More pretty!  I might not want the long sleeves in summer,
but I do like the draping on this dress.

Swoon!  Love this dress - so gorgeous.

I would definitely change the pockets, but I am obsessed with these pants!

I really want to make a pair of shorts, so these are interesting me right now.
The jacket is cute too!

Not exactly my style, but this tunic is something my sister might like.

The traditional one-shoulder summer blouse.

Also comes as a dress.

Burda informs me this is a mini dress.  I think I have shirts longer than this!

So... what do you think?  Are you excited?  Or does it look like too many party clothes and not enough practical summer wear?  Anyone else excited about the pants and shorts?  Feel free to discuss in the comments!

Newsflash: New Vogue Patterns Announced

The Vogue website put up their latest designs a few days ago, but a busy weekend and not-so-cooperative website meant I didn't have much time to look through them until tonight.  I have to say: I am not impressed.  I can't remember the last time I was so completely bored with a Vogue release, but I can honestly say that none of the new patterns are going on my wish list.  Despite my total boredom with the latest releases, I suppose they are worth a look anyway...

There are lots of new summery dresses:

V1351 - DKNY.  Simple and pretty, but not anything I haven't seen before.

V1349 - DKNY.  Pattern blocking dress.  Again, not exactly something new.

V1348 - Tom and Linda Platt.  Another pretty dress, but yet again nothing I haven't seen before.

V1350 - Rachel Comey.  Cute, but not my style.

V1353 - Kay Unger.  At first I was mad over this dress,
but after really looking I have decided I am more obsessed with the fabric choice
than the actual pattern.  I am pretty sure I have a few options
from Burda with a similar silhouette.

V8900 - Not exactly a fan of the cut-outs... though I do like the neckline on this dress.

V8895 - Those sleeves make me giggle.  The rest of the dress is ok though.

V8898 - Ok,  I have to admit I do sort of like this dress.
But maybe not enough to actually buy the pattern.
Mostly because I think the dress is pretty much a sack
and the only thing giving is shape is the waist tie.

V8896 - This is probably my favorite pattern in the bunch,
and the one I would be most likely to wear.
On the other hand, I have a lot of very similar patterns already,
so I don't really think I need to add this to my collection.

V8904 - Marcy Tilton.  Interesting, but I don't know how the style will work for me.

V8904 - Though the solid version is actually quite pretty.
This is the one pattern that is really tempting me,
though my inner voice of reason and logic is telling me to stay away.

Apparently the maxi dress is going to be quite popular again this summer:

V1354 - Anne Klein.  Does this not look almost exactly like the
maxi dress from the February Burda magazine?

V1352 - Rebecca Taylor.  Maybe I am a bit off on this one,
but the only thing I can think is "mumsy."

V8901 - Not really a fan of the double slits on the skirt...
And maybe it is just the stripes, but I can't say I find the overall cut of this very flattering at all.

V8899 - I sort of feel like this is a pattern that has been resurrected from the 1970s.

 Oversized bagginess also seems to be a big trend in this release:

V8894 - Not a fan of this crazy hemline.

V8897 - The world didn't really need a pattern for another sack dress...

V8905 - Poofy tunic top with crazy big sleeves.

V8908 - Maybe a bit hard to see with the pattern, but am I the
only one who thinks the last thing a ruffly skirt needs is an even more ruffly peplum?

I do sort of like the more work-related patterns this time around, though they aren't anything I don't already have in my stash:

V8916 - A Vogue Wardrobe pattern.  I like the jacket and the skirt.

More V8916 - I think the neckline detail on this dress is super cute as well.

V8893 - A Claire Shaeffer pattern.  I am not sure if I am a fan of this style,
but I do know the instructions with her patterns tend to be fantastic.

So... yeah.  There are other patterns, but mostly basic tank tops and fairly standard pants.  Yawn.  Even the designer patterns left something to be desired this time around.  Certainly there were lots of practical wearable patterns.  But nothing was really a stand-out for me.  What about you all, dear readers?  Anything in particular catch your eye?  Will you be adding some new Vogues to your stash soon?  Am I just jaded from too many pattern reviews?  Or does this release feel sort of lackluster to you as well?  Feel free to discuss in the comments!


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In other sewing news, GLP International has announced the pre-orders are up for this year's Burda Classics.  Last year it sold out quickly, though I know many people weren't entirely satisfied with the result.  I haven't sewn anything from my copy yet, but I did appreciate a lot of the patterns and I think the classic shapes are the sorts of things that would suit me if I had more time to sew them.  So I think I might give Burda Classics another shot this year, to see if the patterns are any more inspirational than the designs from last year.  If you are interested as well you can pre-order a copy here.

Book Review: The History of Love

I am so behind in my blogging.  Life seems even more fast-paced and crazy busy since I graduated, and I just haven't had the time to document a lot of the exciting goings-on.  As I may have mentioned, I have been doing a lot of sewing of skating costumes, which means I have been getting paid to sew a lot of skating costumes, which means I have had a bit more of a cash influx than I had anticipated.  Which is good, because it means I can use my hobby to fund my hobby.  Which means I have a few exciting things to show off once I get some photos uploaded.  In the meantime, I am trying to get caught up on blog things, so here is a book review that has been half-written for a few weeks.

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My sister is an even larger bibliophile than I am.  Her book obsession might be comparable to my Burda obsession.  It might surpass it.  So it is no surprise that over the years our literary collections have mixed and mingled quite a bit.  So much so that the stack of books she has given me to read occupy their own shelf in my bedroom.  Despite her constant pestering, I have been quite slow in getting to that stack, but when I do the effort is usually well worth it.  The History of Love by Nicole Krauss is no exception.

The History of Love is a fantastic novel that weaves together the lives of a young girl who is looking to find a romantic interest for her mother, and an old man who is looking to make a connection with the son who never knew he existed.  They deal with ever-changing emotional landscapes that are relatable and interesting.  This book will tug at the heartstrings of its readers, but the emotional investment is well deserved.

The premise of the novel is quite straightforward, but the characters are deliciously complex.  They all seem to exhibit an emotional range that is both complicated and contradictory, which makes them feel incredibly real.  Despite this, each character has a very distinct and unique voice, which lends itself well to the overall theme of the book; exploring the many aspects of love.  It looks at love from all sides - the fumbling confusion of a young first love, and the bittersweet devotion of a true love lost to time and circumstance.  It explores how hope, loss, and dispair can emphasize what is truly important in life.

The writing itself is wonderful.  Each character is written in a different style, which makes them seem even more distinct and realistic.  The overall themes of the book can be seen in each character's story arc, even though the characters are all at various phases in their lives.  Their stories are all woven together with a common thread (the book is titled after the fictitious book called "The History of Love" that is central to the plot) that makes the story feel continuous and effortless, even though the individual character stories are written in very different, almost disjointed, styles.

Regardless of what sort of books you usually like to read, The History of Love should make it onto your list.  Wonderful writing, complex characters, and a study of relationships that anyone can relate to all come together to make this a truly fantastic book.  I found it to be a quick read, and well worth the time I devoted to it.  It isn't a book I would normally pick up, but I am very glad my sister prodded me into reading this novel.  Highly recommended.

My Poor Bobbin Casing

When I was shopping for fabric in LA I noticed one of the shop owners who had swept up his floor and then came outside to dump an entire dustpan full of glitter into the gutter.  Environmental issues aside, I thought it was crazy that he could generate that much glitter dust just from cutting fabric.

I shouldn't think such things because the universe has a certain way of laughing at me:

Neon organe glitter and velvet fuzz...

I am brushing it out about once an hour at the moment...
And I usually end up with a little mound of glitter in my palm.

It wouldn't be so bad if the floor didn't look the same way.  Actually the floor is worse.  I am going to have at least two dustpans worth of sweeping to do come July...

Birthday Fabric Stashing

I have been trying to be good and not buy too much fabric.  Then my birthday happened and I got coupons... Which I mostly was able to ignore until about 5 hours before they expired.  Which is when some really fantastic looking fabrics showed up in the "new arrivals" or "clearance" sections of my favorite fabric websites.  And I caved... I'm sure you know how it goes.  Anyway, here are my new birthday pretties:

From Fabric Mart:

Back: Navy cotton.  It actually has a striped look.
I think I want to line it and use it for a dress...
Front: Lavender silk charmeuse.  Too good a deal to pass up.

Left: Grey/black cotton velveteen houndstooth print.  Most likely for a blazer style jacket.
Back right: Plaid silk taffeta.  I have plans to use this in a RTW knockoff project.
Bottom right: Cream stretch wool gaberdine.  Lovely!  I am going to make some white trousers.

And from Fabric.com:

Left: Poly/cotton rainbow suiting fabric.  I have plans for a pencil skirt.
Right: Rayon challis print.  I am planning to use it for a summer dress.

ITY knit prints.  I am planning to use these for lightweight knit dresses.

Metallic cotton shirt-weight fabrics.
The photo does not do them justice.
Now I really need to get a TNT button-down shirt pattern sorted out.

Now if only I had time to sew for me...  At least these will be waiting in the stash when I have time to get to them around mid-summer!

Newsflash - Summer New Looks Announced

Simplicity has posted the summer New Look patterns to their website.  I have to say, the clothes are certainly geared towards summer, but I don't find them particularly inspiring.  There are more than a few generic t-shirt patterns, coupled together with some nondescript pants and skirts.  The dresses are probably the best thing in the release, and even them I am not that impressed.  I suppose we should have a look either way:

NL 6206 - A Project Runway Workroom pattern.
Although I was obsessing over the maxi dress in the May Burda,
this one leaves me less impressed.  Maybe it is the cleavage window?

NL 6207 - Another Project Runway Workroom pattern.
My general feeling on this... meh.  The neckline is cute, but the dress looks like a tent.

NL 6211 - A Suede Says Studio pattern.
Not really a fan of the cut outs on the side of the dress.
The placement seems... off.

NL 6208 - Probably my favorite of the new patterns.
The front of the dress looks rather generic, but the back is actually pretty cute!
Not exactly practical to wear with a bra, but cute.

NL 6209 - More cleavage windows!
Though the black/white and solid red versions aren't bad.

NL 6213 - I am not a fan of the line drawings, but the model photo isn't too bad.
I suppose this is a pattern with potential?

NL 6214 - Nothing exciting or different, but these tops do seem very summery,
and there are a lot of options in the same envelope.

So, all in all, meh.  Nothing super exciting that needs to join my stash.  Anything catch your eye?  Are you ready to start sewing for summer?  Or are you still trying to sew for spring?  (Or winter, as the case may be...)  Feel free to discuss in the comments.