Doctor T Designs

Hot on the heels of the Simplicity release, is the Winter/Holiday collection from McCall’s.  While the Simplicity release was heavily swayed toward vintage reprints, the McCall’s release is focused on modern party dresses and separates for winter.  Since it is the winter/holiday season, we also get lots of crafty patterns and the ubiquitous family pjs.  (Spoiler alert:  it looks we are getting lots of pjs in Burda next month too, based on magazine preview images.)  On the whole, there is a lot of patterns I’m positively responding to in this release.  However, I’m going through the internal debate of weather or not I really need them in my pattern stash.  How many pretty dresses can one own?  Especially when one does not often wear dresses?  This is something I shall have to ponder before the next pattern sale, to see if I can whittle down my long list of maybes.  In the mean time, let’s actually take a look at the collection:

M7503 – Nicole Miller dress.  I know I don’t need another dress pattern in this silhouette, but I also know that this is the sort of style that looks really good on me.  Sigh.  I like the double-V neckline.

M7504 – Nicole Miller dress.  Another dress that is very similar to silhouettes I already own, but one I’m still liking in spite of this fact.  Not sure if I love the model photo as much as the drawing though, so maybe that’s incentive to refrain?

M7505 – Nicole Miller dress.  Not my style, but I could see this being very trendy with a younger crowd.  I like the way they styled the model photo.

M7502 – Phoebe Couture petite dress.  I’m not sure how I feel about it.  Vaguely getting an 80s throwback vibe?  The petite sizing makes it an easy pass for me.

M7501 – Petite raglan sleeve dress.  I’ve been wanting a raglan sleeve dress for quite some time, actually.  I love the blue/black drawing.  Not so sure how I feel about the ruffled cuffs on the black lace version, or the fringe hem on the red, though I suppose that does have an oddly appealing modern flapper vibe that I can get behind.  I’m thinking it’ll be easier for me to start with a non-petite style, and I should have something similar in my stash.  I’m giving this a pass because of sizing, but a thumbs up on style inspiration.

M7506 – Palmer/Pletsch dress.  I actually rather like this style – the grey version in the drawing is particularly eye-catching.  The seam lines make it look like it would be pretty easy to fit too.

M7500 – Ruffle dress.  My first thought was that no adult would ever want to wear this dress.  My second thought was that I wanted to make one in every color for Disney bounding.  Obviously my priorities of looking like a put together adult and reverting to a state of child-like frivolity are in conflict here.  Also, I’m just going to point out that the ruffle-hemmed sleeves are making quite an appearance in this McCall’s release.

M7507 – Create It! gown and party dress.  Ok, there are so many sweat-heart strapless gown patterns in existence, but the backs of these dresses are so pretty!  I really don’t need a fancy dress pattern, but I do like some of the options on this gown, so I might have to add it to my list

M7509 – Laura Ashley blouse.  Again with the giant bell sleeves.  I like some of the other details of this top – the shoulder contrast is an interesting detail.

M7510 – Cold shoulder top.  Allison.C totally called it on this trend with her recent (and awesome) Burda top.  Personally, I’m sort of digging the lack of shoulders, but I prefer the more fitted version sported by Allison.

M7508 – Custom Cup sized top.  They snuck another cold shoulder style in here too.  The model photo is such an odd juxtaposition of ruffles and frills with the harsh black color.  Perhaps this is a bit overdone?  Though view A looks a bit simple.  I don’t know.  I’m indecisive.  Also – more ruffle sleeve hems.  Just sayin’.

M7512 – Nancy Zieman jackets.  Not my typical style, and I feel like having such an open hem would be cold on really windy days.

M7513 – Jacket.  The pleated peplum design detail is yummy.

M7511 – Learn to Sew For Fun jacket pattern.  I could see the short version with the pockets being worn obsessively by teens if it were made up in a nice sweatshirt material.

M7514 – Workout clothes.  Like the seam shaping on the bra.

M7516 – Undergarments.  Is it me or do these look more like swimsuits?  I suppose, functionally, the only real difference is fabric choice.

M7517 – Sweater/pj pattern.  I’m sort of digging the sweater dress – it’s like the perfect way to wear your pajamas to the store and still be considered socially acceptable.

M7515 – Learn to Sew for Fun – PJs.  Pretty basic, but it is a learn to sew pattern.

M7518 – Family onesies.  They even included the dog!

M7519 – Winter hats.  Actually, other than the weird black veil in the center, most of these aren’t too bad.

M7556 – Yaya Han Pokemon Go! cosplay.  We’ve already discussed this.

M7525 – Yaya Han cosplay for men.  Love that she includes lots of styles of men’s patterns in her line.

M7520 – Doll clothes.  Good holiday gift idea, possibly?

M7521 – Linda Carr doll clothes.  Love how it includes gymnastics leotards in an olympic year.  Smart.

M7522 – Learn to Sew for Fun stuffed toys.  Another possible gift idea?

M7523 – McCall’s Crafts stockings.  Feel like it’s been a while since we’ve seen so much holiday craftiness come out.

M7524 – McCall’s Crafts holiday decor.  Ooooooh boy.  Where to start.  The poinsettia-ish-star-thing is actually pretty cool looking.  The elf feet dangling off the table is just so oddly off-putting my brain can’t quite divorce the image from the idea of eating off the body of a dead elf.  In a weird way, though, I sort of love it.  I mean, one of the great joys of being a home sewer is giggling at the most ridiculous patterns and pondering who would ever make that.  Except that I know exactly who would use this – someone who is doing a Nightmare Before Christmas themed holiday decor.  I mean, looking at the silhouettes of the elf hats and weird feet gives me a very Nightmare vibe.  Slightly different fabric choice and voila!  You don’t have to change the decor one iota from October through December.  Genius.  Truly, the Haunted Mansion does it right.

And that’s about it.  There are some kids patterns – fluffy tulle skirts and such, but not much of note.  On the whole I think this is a very on-trend collection, though perhaps with one too many ruffled batwing sleeves.  There are some nice dresses for holiday parties, loose fitting tops to hide pie belly, and a couple cosplay patterns that would be very timely for Halloween.  Especially if you play Pokemon Go as you trick-or-treat.  So meta, it’s perfect.  So what do you all think?  Are you in need of any new dress patterns this winter?  Or is this collection less practical and thus less interesting than looks we’ve seen from other pattern companies of late?  Feel free to discuss in the comments!