Spring 2018 Vogue Patterns

Posted on by DoctorTDesigns

Spring has sprung, at least if you are a pattern company.  The spring Vogues have been announced, and it feels like a somewhat reduced release, at least in terms of the number of patterns that have been announced.  While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing (and Vogue tends to have a more curated selection to begin with), I do have to say that, with what we’ve been given, I am not impressed.  I feel like I’ve been hating a bit on the Big 4/Big 1 (should we perhaps call them the All-4-1 now?) lately, but, out of an entire release from Vogue, there is only 1 patterns that I have on my wishlist as a maybe.  I don’t know.  Perhaps combing through my own stash of patterns has made me realize I *have* similar (and in most cases, better) versions of these styles?  In any case, let’s move on from my lamentations and take a look at the actual release…

V1579 – Badgley Mischka. This is the one pattern in the release I’m somewhat excited by, so I figured it should go first.  The little capelett is chic, and the whole look is not overly fussy.  I’d replace the bow belt with something a little less sweet, but otherwise I think this could be a solid look to wear to a spring wedding or other semi-formal event you might have this spring.

V1581 – Tom and Linda Platt.  Ok, so intellectually I appreciate the graphic looks here, but I also know I would never wear them.  If you are a fan of looser tunics, this could be a very eye-catching style, and the asymmetric hem is rather nicely proportioned, but I know boxy looks are not the best for me, so it’s going to be a pass.

V1576 – Tom and Linda Platt.  I don’t like this as well as the previous style; the batwing shape isn’t anything new, and again the boxy silhouette isn’t my favorite.  I can see how the color blocking could be flattering certain body types, but I’ve never been a fan of boxy sack dresses, and this isn’t the style to change my mind on that.

V1578 – Tracy Reese.  A perfectly fine dress, though the print does hide a lot of the ruching detail.  It looks sort of delicately pretty in the model photos, but I’d worry about it looking sort of wrinkly and messy based on the line drawing.  Fabric choice is going to be critical if you are looking to make this style methinks.

V9307 – Júlio César.  Again, not a silhouette I’m typically drawn to, but I do appreciate all of the detail work that goes into the design appliqué.  The fabric choices don’t really pop on the envelope, but the close-ups reveal a really luxe fabrication.  This is the sort of thing I see someone whipping out for a Sewing Bee challenge, but I’m thinking we won’t see a ton of these popping up on Pattern Review in the meantime..

V1582 – Isaac Mizrahi.  I do like this simple, streamlined coat, but I think, do I like it *more* than what I already have, and the answer is no, not really.  The color is drawing me in I think, but based on the line drawing it’s going to be a pass.  I’ve come to accept that, while I can play with proportions, waist definition is up there on the list of features I’m looking for in my pattern acquisitions at this point.

V9301 – Kayla Kennington.  Again, pass for me because I’m not really into the boxy silhouette, but the seaming here does offer some interesting possibilities for fabric combinations and use of stripes.

V9300 – Marcy Tilton.  Apparently this is *the* style for the season.  And, once again, there are some fun possibilities with the seamlines here.

V9303 – Marcy Tilton.  Cargo-ish style pants also seem to be the rage this release (see below).  I do like the interesting seam lines here, and they look fairly stylish on the models.  An elastic waist should be easy to sew, and the pocket placement could easily be changed if you wanted something a little more low profile.

V9304 – Kathryn Brenne.  Again, I appreciate the interesting seaming.  Though I’m a bit wary of triangle seams around the crotch area (lest we forget the tragedy of the Burda Baboon Butt), but the detail seems pretty subdued in a dark, monochromatic fabric.

V1575 – Today’s Fit by Sandra Betzina.  Mmmmm, see all previous comments about boxy, shapeless clothing.  I do like the draped collar.  I do not understand the red vest.

V1580 – Today’s Fit by Sandra Betzina.  Overall-culottes seem like the could be a trend this year, and I have to admit, these are pretty cute!  Wide-legged trousers, and cropped trousers are both purported trends this year, so this could be a band-for-your-trend-buck pattern.  My last experiment with culottes wasn’t the best (they look great, but I feel like a Hobbit wearing them), so I’m on the fence with these, but, I do think they are cute on the model.

V9292 – Very Easy Vogue.  Looks very pretty in the lush red fabric they’ve used.  Overall the style is pretty simple, but lots of seams for fit adjustments are nice.  The neckline looks a bit low, and I’m pretty stocked on dress patterns, and there isn’t enough here to excite me into buying it, but this is a nice pattern.

V9296 – Custom Fit.  I know this is supposed to be like 70s diva goddess, but all I’m getting is nightgown.  Really, it must be the colors they choose for the envelope, but I can’t help but see a bunch of really fancy nightgowns.  At this point the sleeves are the same trend we’ve seen, and not too overdone, but nothing new.  I know this the pattern the more stylish of sewing bloggers will whip up in some glorious bold, bright fabric, and we’ll all be beating ourselves silly for having not seen the potential here, but I still think I’ll give this one a pass.

V9293 – Vogue Easy Options.  The basic dress is fine, but the waist bow is a bit on the large side.  I do enjoy the Easy Options in general, but I don’t think this particular pattern has enough variety for me.

V8305 – This is one of those patterns I wouldn’t normally wear, but I do actually enjoy the proportions.  I think the drape of the slit is very stylish and really pretty, and I love both of the trouser options here.

V9302 – Very Easy Vogue.  I do enjoy a wide-legged trouser, but these just feel sort of meh.  I do like the stripe down the side of view B though; that’s a fun detail.

V9298 – Bodysuits.  The neckline looks really low.  This is one of those looks I could *almost* see myself wearing, but I’m tempted to wait and see if other bloggers make it first.  I’m not sure if I’m excited enough to attempt to make something that is very likely to need extensive amount of tape to stay on.

V9299 – Vogue Easy Options.  The sleeves are nuts.  I do like the length and curved hem of the tunic though.

V9295 – Vintage Vogue circa 1940.  I love the Vintage Vogue looks, but this release they feel a bit too sweet for me.  My first thought was The Sound of Music, but, given the year this is from, that is actually a pretty close association.  This one is growing on me the more I look at it, but I know if I were to work on a vintage look, I have several in my collection I’d pick over this one.  Interesting to note the seaming on the skirt – a fabric saving measure in the Depression/wartime rationing period?

V9294 – Vintage Vogue circa 1939.  This one takes the saccharine level up a notch.  I do really love 30s and 40s fashions in general, but the lace trim and puffed sleeves are just too much.  Interesting that this one also features skirt seaming as well.

And that’s it!  On the whole, I’m a bit disappointed with this release.  There are a lot of looks in very similar silhouettes, and with very similar design features.  The non-designer styles felt a bit generic, and nothing really made me sit up and think “wow!”  I’ve been so pumped by Burda lately, I was hoping it would be a good pattern year, but so far there hasn’t been much from the mainstream pattern companies that I’ve been too excited to buy or make.  What do you all think?  Am I too down on the Big4/1 (All-4-1)?  Or was this release a total snooze-fest?  Feel free to discuss in the comments!

26 thoughts on “Spring 2018 Vogue Patterns”

  2. You’re kind of right…. nothing is really inspiring at all. That red sweater vest is kind of growing on me but not enough to want the pattern. The body suit is intriguing, and actually I’d make it but the neckline is low even for me. I like the fancy seaming on those pants and that is the one pattern I would try, but I know from experience my belly would look like a kangaroo with the stretchy waist thing.

    Nothing for me to buy here, unfortunately…

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  3. Hmm, agreed there is nothing of real nterest to me either. I can’t figure why they would use a busy dramatic fabric pattern on that V1578 – Tracy Reese which covers all the ruching. That nightgown thing that combines bare shoulders with high-neck granny dresses looks to me like the most uncomfortable nightgown, and nothing resembling an attractive dress to me at all. I am glad I bought tons of patterns in the past which I could make if I were not a bit lazy. I no longer even get excited about the sales where the Big 4/whatever patterns go for a few dollars each–there is not enough to make me want to stock up in volume, except something the costumes. Thanks for the reviews.

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  4. I think Vogue is for an older crowd? I see nothing I like, but plenty the fashionably casual in my moms agegroup might wear, they seem to be into Lagenlook a lot lately and I see plenty of that here.
    The bodysuit looks intruiging, I was thinking of making the Anderson Blouse by Sew Over It into a bodysuit, similar to this but less revealing. Maybe it has built in gapstops because Vogue?

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  5. The bodysuit is on my must-buy list; 1 of my 18 pattern adds for the year! I love the Platt colorblocked tunic and pants for my mom but I think I’m going to go with making 9305 for her because I *might* want one for myself!

    I like the dress with the giant bow in theory but the neckline is too high for me. I love the Tracy Reese and Bagdley Mischka but don’t need to buy either.

    I think both of those pants patterns are insane and not in a good way 😦 It’s like everything but the kitchen sink just for the sake of “details”.

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    1. Yeah I could totally see that on the pants. I think it reads ok on the models, but when au looked at the lines it was like woaaaah. Sometimes I think better crazy and interesting than boring and repetitive though. At least it’s something different to look at.

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  6. Yes, same. I really like the yellow cape dress and if I have any weddings to go to I might get that one, but that is it for me. Probably a good thing as I have 3 Burda patterns on their way after your last review and I’m picking up my February Burda today. I do not need more patterns in my life!! Thank you so much for taking the time for the review though, I can never be bothered to click on all the patterns one by one to see the line drawings (I used to be able to scroll through them, but seems I can’t anymore).

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  7. I think the bodysuit would be nice for a skating or dance outfit/costume (add skirt) and as I have seen on the rash of ice skating on tv recently, one could add an insert of flesh, contrast or sheer mono color and even jazz up the insert with sparkly stuff. For the long sleeves, I would love to make the sleeve sheer and longer with the thumb hole.

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    1. That would be cute! You’d possibly need to change the shape of the leg opening on that pattern – I find bodysuit patterns tend to have a lower cut than leotard patterns and it can restrict movement.

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  8. Yes, I’m disappointed in this collection. They seem to be missing all of the designers I usually like. And the vintage Vogues are so frilly and fluffy. I think the most interesting patterns are the bodysuit and the striped easy options shirt with the crazy sleeves. I don’t like the big sleeve trend but I’ll make an exception for that one.

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    1. I feel like we all have that one pattern with the sleeve trend that we want to make exceptions for… I find many of the shirts I’m planning to make this year have fancy sleeves – even though the patterns came out long before the trend hit! It’s something that slowly grows on you, I think.

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  9. I think the patterns from the second-tier designers (Tilton, Betzina, Brenne, and Kennington) are exceedingly disappointing. I particularly hate the pants (9303 and 9304); they’re overdesigned and ugly IMO. ( I keep picturing the 9304 pants on some tiny, little old lady who struggles to keep them up over her hips and who acquired them secondhand even though they originally came from one of those horrible ads in Parade Magazine in the Sunday morning newspaper.)

    I do like a few of the name designers’ patterns (the Mizrahi coat in particular) and some of Carlos Correa’s in-house designs, but I’m with you in that there isn’t much I really *want* to have.

    I don’t even find this collection very aspirational, let alone inspirational!

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  11. Is it just me, or have these come out later than they have in previous years? There was a release last year that was almost a month late too, IIRC.

    I agree that there’s nothing here I really want. And I have a long enough Burda and Patrones sewing queue that I don’t think I’ll miss them. The only one I might make an exception for is 9295. I think the “sweet” factor comes from the sugar-pink floral print, and you could get a really interesting dress out of something else. A navy floral, say. Or a coral. But again–I have so many of their vintage patterns already and I have yet to sew up even one, so I’ll hold off for now.

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      1. You could be right. I saw some pretty irritated posts on their FB group about how the magazine came out and it was weeks before the patterns were available and they were really mad–my impression from BMV replies was that the delay was not intentional, but maybe that was a PR thing.

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      2. I’m almost wondering if it has to do with the merger of the Big 4 into the Big 1, as I’m sure that will require some restructuring. I don’t think we’ve seen the full shake-out of that yet, as Simplicity is still fairly autonomous. Of course, it could also have to do with production issues or other behind the scenes things we aren’t privy to. TBH, I’m so used to waiting for the Burda envelope patterns to hit the US I don’t notice much when the others are late. I also always get the new patterns at least 1-2 sales later than people on the East Coast because of shipping (and lackadaisical employees), so I can’t be too precious with release dates.

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  13. Pingback: Spring 2018 Vogue Patterns – Ellustar Fashion

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