New Simplicity Patterns

The new pattern collection by Simplicity is a real let down. There is not one pattern I want to buy. I mean they are not all horrible, but even overall they are a bit meh. And I am really disappointed that there are no new vintage patterns.




This wedding dress is a bit too simple in my opinion. I mean, I have nothing against simple wedding dresses, but you could take any dress pattern and make a wedding dress out of it. For this I don't need this pattern. And I hate shoulder free tops. But I have to say the strap design is really nice.


The new Dottie Angel pattern reminds me a lot of the aprons my Grandmother wears. Although I have to say I like it better than the last one. And the fabrics on the cover are really nice.


Doctor Who seems to be a huge topic at Simplicity. I have one of their releases from last year (the one with the corset and long skirt). I am not really sold on this design. I like the idea, but for my taste it is not costume-y enough. I would not identify the Dalek right away. The dress design is nice and would make a cute vintage inspired frock.


To be honest I think this is ugliest Doctor Who pattern I ever saw. Maybe it is only the photo, but I saw some much more nicer female Doctor versions on the internet. And I am a bit tired of the Simplicity formula corset top + skirt/trousers + maybe a bolero jacket = female version of anything nerdy.

I have no dog and I am not a huge dog fan either, but somehow I think these are cute, especially the one with the fez.


Again the corset and skirt formula. The styling on the cover is horrible. What is it with the red hair? I fear the storm trooper would be unrecognizable as a costume. And again I saw a lot of better versions on the internet.


The DC Bombshell patterns are cute. I especially like Wonder Woman. At least I can identify the characters. Maybe it would be possible to use the pattern to make some vintage inspired pieces.


This pattern is cute, but I bet you could find a tutorial for free somewhere. Or simply make it yourself.



These two are my favorite patterns from the new collection. I like that they are true costume patterns and no strange versions of well-known characters. I really would like to dress up my boyfriend as Joker.

New Simplicity Patterns

I know another pattern post, but it is not my fault, that all the big companies release their patterns at the same time. So here are my thoughts on some of the new Simplicity patterns:



I know Simplicity is huge with costumes, but a Lolita costume. Really? As a former lolita fashion enthusiast, I am a bit offended. This looks not like a normal lolita dress. With the deep neckline they destroyed the lolita aesthetic. Although I have to say, that the fabric choice is nice. The pattern would make a nice normal summer dress, but I hope this pattern does not inspire new lolitas. And I just don't want to talk about the ridiculous bonnet.



I really want to like this new pattern by Dottie Angel, because I have the first one and it is so cute. But to be honest, I do not. For me it looks like an accident. The pattern has an odd fit. It reminds me of something from those Japanese sewing mooks (of which I have some, but rarely make something from). The styling is also not very appealing.


A cute 1970s dress. The cut is really interesting. It is a very cute dress. Nothing I will make, but cute to look at.



I am a bit confused with this pattern. Who would wear such a thing? It looks like you threw on your grandmother's underwear, but not in a 70s romantic kind of way. Maybe I lack the imagination to see the potential of this pattern.




I have a deja-vu with this pattern. It looks almost exactly like the top from the new Gertie playsuit. This is a cute 50s pattern. I like that it has some variations. Other than that it is nothing spectacular and not very practical for everyday life.




The little one spotted this pattern, while I was browsing and wanted to let you know that these are "teddy". Now I probably have to buy this, only because of sentimental value (but these are really some cute bears, and they have clothes, too).



Lauren from American Duchess released her first patterns. Congratulations! It is a costume pattern for an Outlander dress. I have to admit I watched Outlander and was not a huge fan. The story is kind of lacking in my opinion. But to each their own. I know there is a huge fan base for Outlander so it made sense for Simplicity to release a pattern. The patterns are really nice. They are great for starters in historical costuming or people who only want to make a costume for an event. Lauren already announced a blog series about pattern hacks to make these more historical correct. I am really looking forward to this.



This pattern would have been my dream 10 years ago, when I was really in all things Japanese. It is a very nice cosplay pattern. There are so many characters who wear these kind of school uniform. You only have to adapt the pattern to your needs. Now I am tempted to buy this and make myself a cosplay.



This swimwear pattern is really interesting. It has built in pants. It is a shame, that it looks much better on the drawings than on the model. But this is a common problem with vintage patterns. The drawings on the envelopes are not even close to reality.



A pattern for little boys! And a vintage one! But the little one is almost too big for this. He would probably fit into the biggest size, but not for very long. Why are children growing so fast? But I will most likely buy this pattern nonetheless, because it is so darn cute.

The new Butterick patterns Summer 2016

So yesterday I ended up checking the Butterick website and they had some new patterns. I am not a huge fan of Butterick patterns, because a) mostly the garments look strange on the models, b) they have weird fabric choices (but Simplicity is not better in this regard) and c) they just don't fit me so well (with Simplicity I can normally sew the garment with no alterations and I am lazy). But here are some of my thoughts on the new patterns:

B6353

Gertie has three new patterns in this collection. This one is almost a copy of the famous Sabrina dress. They even made a matching fabric in Gertie's fabric line. I really like Gertie and how far she made it, but I am no huge fan of her designs. Not because I find them ugly, but simply because they don't suit me. I wish I could pull off a halter less dress, but I simply can not. I think the bust part is a bit strange, but other than that this is an amazing dress for evening wear, but I would never make or wear such a dress, so I probably won't buy this pattern.

B6352

Gertie recently mentioned on her blog, that she fell in love with dirndls while being in Germany. This was already a bit visible in 6322, but this one is a normal German Trachten dress (Trachten meaning a kind of style here in Germany that is inspired by native costumes (like dirndls)). It has the typical silhouette of a dirndl, but lacks the blouse (or better said, the blouse is combined with the top) and the apron. And what should I say? I like it and could imagine making one up. So this pattern is a maybe.

B6354

The classical playsuit. I like the design and that you can mix and match the different pieces. But I have to say that I already have most of the pieces in other patterns. And I would like it better, if the top would be a bit longer. So I will save my money on this.

B6363

This is my favorite of the new patterns. It is not revolutionary, but I think it is so cute. And for once the dress looks fine on the model (although a bit big in the waist). I really like the little collar. And isn't the hat thing amazing? This would make a great everyday dress and when you want to dress it up, you can make the hat, too. I definitely want this pattern.

B6358

Lisette is now at the Butterick team. I would never have thought, she would design swim wear. This one is a cute bikini or swimsuit. Really retro inspired. The bow is a cute detail. As I promised myself to never sew swimwear again (because I just don't need it, it is a waste of time and money), I will skip this pattern. But I think, it would make a nice swimwear pattern if you are into this.

B6351

When I saw this dress on the overview site, I thought it was totally boring. I clicked on it nonetheless (not sure why, maybe because I thought it would make a nice basic dress, not that I have enough of these type of patterns) and then I noticed the back view - a wrap over back. What a great detail! It is a shame they did not use this as the photo on the overview page. The pattern reminds me a bit of this Simplicity one (because of the open back, but to be honest, the Simplicity version would be the designer one and Butterick like the one you could buy at H&M, nothing wrong with H&M, just saying). The Butterick dress seems to be a bit easier to make. And you could also made a jumpsuit. I could do without the elastic waist in the back, but other than that, I really like this pattern. Maybe I will add it to my stash.

B6342

A kind of child version of the aforementioned pattern, except that it is not a dress, but two pieces. Really cute and I bet many little girls would like it. But again not one pattern for little boys! Please Butterick there are boy's Moms out there who love to sew and want to make something cute for their little rascals.

Fabric Ideas

So from the money I got for Easter and because the European Simplicity site has a sale at the moment, I bought some of the patterns on my wish list. And to kill the time until they arrive I thought I search for some nice fabrics for some designs and share them with you.

Simplicity 1366



I found this pattern by accident and thought the blouse would be a really quick make. The Liberty print fabric would make it much more interesting, despite the simple cut. I am not so sure about the skirt, but I think it would look great in this red silk.

Simplicity 8086



I could imagine this dress in either this great abstract Amy Butler fabric or a cute floral print. The mustard color of both fabrics would make it ideal for spring to autumn.

Simplicity 8085



This simple wrap dress would look cute in the bird fabric, but I would also love it in this red dot fabric.

Simplicity 8073



For practicability a denim fabric would be perfect for this apron dress. But for fun the bee fabric would be awesome.

Which new Simplicity patterns I would buy (if I had the money)

Simplicity released some new patterns and I after some disappointing collections the last months, I am really excited about this one. There are some very nice pieces and more important, patterns I would make and wear.

Simplicity 8073

I would not make this as a dress for everyday wear, but to wear while working in the garden (when we hopefully have one soon). It would look really cute with a nice shirt underneath.

Simplicity 8058

I saw this a while ago and instantly fell in love. Probably I would only make the trousers. I am not much of a pants girl, but sometimes I like to wear some. And my wardrobe is a bit sparse in this category.

Simplicity 8086

Yeah, I like the patterns by Cynthia Rowley (I already own some). And yeah, it is back to the roots with this cute dress. But I think this pattern would make great everyday dresses.

Simplicity 8085

This is the first vintage pattern in a while I could see me really making. It looks like a wrap dress one can actually wear. I was not so satisfied with the Butterick Walk-Away Dress, but liked the Vogue (8788) one. So I think this would make a nice wrap-dress for me, too. The short version would be great for garden work.

New Butterick Patterns

Butterick published some new patterns, but only one caught my attention - B6094 by Gertie

It looks somewhat boring from the front. Like the typical 50s dress. But look at that back, it's gorgeous!

Although I decided to sew only from a handful of pattern in the near future, I think I have to have this pattern.

The new Ottobre Woman

I am a big fan of the Ottobre Kids magazines. Their designs are always so playful and pretty. But normally I don't like the woman issue. The clothing inside is not my style. Most of the styles are not very flattering in my opinion. But this time I fell in love with the trenchcoat on the cover and had to have this issue. And to my suprise there are also some other nice patterns in it. So maybe I will become a fan of Ottobre Woman in the future. This issue is very promising.

My favorites from the Simplicity Spring Collection

Simplicity have released their new patterns for Spring and I have to admit there is not much to thrill me. Only two patterns are on my wishlist. But okay, good for my purse.

This Lisette pattern has a vintage feel and I simply fell for the cute Peter Pan collar. It is nothing special, but I think, I would wear such a dress often.

The only vintage pattern in this collection. I have already some other bikini top patterns, but I think this would be very cute for summer.

Do you have any favorites from this spring collection?

Pregnancy Patterns

Even before my pregnancy I was fascinated with vintage maternity patterns. They are so much nicer than what you get today and the covers are sometimes just adorable. Unfortunately I did not make one single thing of my pattern collection and now I think, it is to late. So at least I wanted to show you my vintage pregnancy patterns collection:

Simply Crochet Magazine

When I was at the newsstand I couldn't resist the new Simply Crochet Magazine. For one there was a moustache on the cover and it came with a pom pom maker as an extra. The patterns in this issue are nice. Because it is the christmas issue, there also some christmas things to make. Maybe I can use these for the next christmas.

I think my favorite besides the moustache is this headband which reminds me of the 20s.

The new Ottobre

When I bought the latest Ottobre magazine I was lucky to get an older issue for free with it. Fortunately I did not already have this issue and there were some cute things in it. I am not such a great fan of the Ottobre for women, but I adore the ones for children. They have such cute ideas in it.

Here are my favorites of the two issues: