Doctor T Designs

In pattern release land it’s either nothing or way too much all at once. Last month the only new pattern release was the monthly Burda magazine, but March has barely started and we’ve already got new patterns from Butterick, Simplicity, BurdaStyle Magazine, and My Image. Clearly, there are a lot of posts coming to the blog soon. Today I’ll be looking at the new Simplicity Spring release. I had hoped there would be some exciting things since Butterick left us feeling so underwhelmed, but, sad to say, I’m really not feeling super excited by this release, at least for myself. I could see how this might be a very good release for someone who has a really different aesthetic from me. Either way, there’s a lot to look at, so let’s get started:

, BurdaStyle Magazine, and My Image. Clearly, there are a lot of posts coming to the blog soon. Today I’ll be looking at the new Simplicity Spring release. I had hoped there would be some exciting things since Butterick left us feeling so underwhelmed, but, sad to say, I’m really not feeling super excited by this release, at least for myself. I could see how this might be a very good release for someone who has a really different aesthetic from me. Either way, there’s a lot to look at, so let’s get started:

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S8868 – I feel like crop tops really had a moment a few years ago, but I’m not really that excited to see them make a comeback to be honest. Plus the fabrication here isn’t doing much to help sell me on this look. I assume this is meant to be a sort of prom look, but, honestly, what high school allows bare midriffs at a school dance? I do think the skirt variations could be very pretty, but, at this point I need more than a full, puffy skirt to interest me in a pattern.

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S8869 – This top pattern is interesting. I have the same thoughts with the length proportions as with the previous pattern (longer please!) but I actually think this could be a great pattern to get if you like to frankenpattern or do mash ups. There are a lot of bodice styles here, and with a few different skirt patterns it would be really easy to make a bunch of different dress styles pretty quickly.

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S8870 – Love this! I’m obsessed with views A and D, and I’m trying to figure out which would be more useful in my far too large evening gown collection. There’s got to be some reason I’d need both, right?

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S8871 – Ok, so this dress feels pretty basic and boring, but I do love the way contrast fabric was used for the belt tie. I also think this looks really easy to wear and to sew. I don’t think I need to add it to the stash, but I find myself liking this pattern the more I look at it.

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S8872 – This is one of those dresses that I think people will either really like because of the styling, or really dislike because of the styling. For me it feels too cute, but I can see how it could be a really versatile pattern for others. The style feels more fall than spring, but it might just be the color scheme of the packaging.

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S8873 – We were informed in the comments of the Spring Butterick post that Gertie was being moved over to Simplicity, and here is the proof. Compared to Gertie’s other patterns for the Big4, this one feels a bit lackluster. It looks cute in the print, but, at the end of the day it is a pretty basic dress with 2 strap options. Not enough to get me really excited, even though I think the dress is cute.

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S8874 – This dress is really basic but I think it could be a really fantastic wardrobe basic for that reason. And we get to see it on a Plus model, which is great. While Simplicity hasn’t completely shifted their line to have envelopes in both regular and plus sizing, I did notice that there were significantly more patterns that came in a wider range of sizing options this time around. It’s still not everything, but it is an improvement, and I think that should be recognized.

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S8875 – This dress feels very cute and very “spring.” I actually really like the ruffled hem here, perhaps because it is such a fine gather to create the effect? The sleeve options are great too.

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S8876 – 1940s Vintage re-release. I really want to like this one. I think if the draped shawl were a more permanent part of the dress I would be more excited; I do love the way the bodice looks with the shawl draped as sleeves. The exaggerated hip pockets are a detail I could easily leave off the design, but, without them the whole dress would be very boring, so, that’s debatable. Might be passable. Maybe.

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S8877 – This also looks to be a vintage re-release, though the original date is not indicated on this pattern. Regardless, I don’t think we really need to bring the muumuu back. Pass.

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S8878 – “The Simple Shift.” Looks like Simplicity is trying a new line where it names things? Perhaps to appeal more to the indie crowd? Does it feel like a lot of these designs are geared towards appealing to the indie crowd? Discuss. (Also, yes, I’ve realized the line drawing is NOT the correct one for this pattern, but it is what Simplicity had posted, which is why it is here.)

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S8879 – “The Origami Dress.” Not sure what makes this dress “origami” – does it fold into the different views?

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S8880 – This is one of those tops styles that I think is cute, but really don’t need in my collection. I do like view A, but I’m less excited by the more blouse-y views, and I’m sure I’ve already got something that is quite similar in the stash.

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S8882 – Another Gertie pattern. This top is cute, but I find the neckline to be very open and wide, possibly a bit too much for me? And I like open necklines. Another one that fits into the cute, but I don’t need it category.

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S8883 – This could be a great pattern for people who really like woven t-shirts. Personally, I’m much more a fan of wearing knits, but I can understand the appeal of sewing a top that is in a more stable fabric. I do like the subtle differences that various options provide; lots of bang for the buck here.

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S8884 – Another “cute, but don’t need it” pattern for me. I am pretty sure I’ve got similar tops in the Burda stash, but I do like the options here, and the darts for fit. Plus, the sleeved top has gussets! Great for added movement. Bonus points for having one of the plus sized models showcasing this top.

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S8885 – I’ve managed to convince myself that I don’t need this pattern either; I’m positive I’ve got maxi skirts and wide legged trouser patterns that can do the job in the stash. But I do really like the simplicity and clean lines here, and the two waist band options as well.

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S8886 – “The Pocket Skirt.” Yeah, I’m… gonna pass. If I need epic pockets I’ll refer back to the May 2011 Burda, thanks.

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S8887 – Pattern Hacking cardigan. I do like the elongated version of this cardigan, but perhaps not enough to get the pattern. Again, I know I have similar things in the stash, and this isn’t really better or that different from what I already have.

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S8888 – Pattern Hacking. Somehow, to me, the hem length and slight adjustments to the neckline isn’t really a pattern “hack” but, you know, whatever. I will admit I find this dress far more striking on the model than I do based on the line drawings. Maybe it is the blue color catching my eye? Or the perfect way the breeze has caught the skirt? Regardless, I’m more intrigued by this pattern that I thought I would be.

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S8889 – I do often like the Mimi G pattern; I find their aesthetic very modern and fun, however, I have to admit I’d probably never really make this pattern. I’m not a fan of a button fly (I know I could change that, but still). I do really like the pocket details and the shape of the trousers though. I’d likely want to lengthen them, but again, easy fix. The cropped shirt isn’t really my thing, though I must admit I think it looks really cute in the context of the outfit here. It’s another pattern that I really like, but don’t really need. If I wanted to create a modified version of this style, my Burda stash has still got me pretty well covered.

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S8890 – To continue on with the theme of today’s post – I like it, but I really don’t need it. The dress looks great on Mimi G. but at the end of the day it is a fairly unshaped shift dress. The jacket is cute, but I’ve already got so many trench inspired jacket patterns I really don’t need another unless it is the ultimate trench jacket (which, if you don’t already have a good trench pattern this might be – the details on it are quite nice).

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S8891 – This pattern could be nice if you are looking for some shorts or some tapered trousers. The dress and top are a bit bland, but I think the bottoms in this pattern have some nice design features; I love a nice slanted pocket.

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S8892 – Pretty simple designs in this pattern; nothing too exciting here unless you really love a button front fly or are looking for a loose fitting collection of tops. Which can be very nice and comfortable, just, not that exciting from a design perspective.

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S8893 – And thus we begin the roundup of baby clothes. There are a lot of baby clothes. And I never have much to say about baby clothes. This one is like ruffles for baby.

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S8894 – And potato sack for baby.

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S8895 – And slightly more detailed dress for child slightly older than baby.

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S8896 – This is actually pretty nice. I do like the little bolero jackets.

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S8897 – Pretty simple dresses for the old enough to talk back to you stage. The sleeve options can be fun here.

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S8999 – Love this! I am all about a shawl collar – so much easier to sew! And they look really sharp. I’m also loving the fabric mixing going on here, and the slight tapering of the trouser leg.

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S8900 – Crafty kitchen stuff. I’m a bit surprised that this isn’t a vintage reprint.

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S8901 – Baby floor mats. Cute? Practical? Not worth the effort? Jury’s out on this one.

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S8902 – Intro to quilting pattern. I feel like if I wanted to quilt I’d start somewhere else, but I can appreciate the attempt here at bringing garment sewers into a different market.

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S8903 – Doll clothes. I actually think these are super cute. The dolls are ready for spring! Why aren’t the adult clothes styled in such a cute way?

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S8904 – Aprons. Have to admit that the cross over style is actually pretty practical in terms of apron coverage, and it looks pretty easy to sew. Not sure how easy it would be to put on or take off, but that’s a who separate issue. I’d definitely choose different fabrications, but, overall, I like it.

And that’s it! While I think this release is slightly more interesting than the Butterick release from last week, on the whole, I’m feeling very indifferent towards these designs. I do love the formal gown, but otherwise, I feel like I’ve already go so many similar styles in the stash that I really don’t need to add much to my collection from this release. Definitely a common theme of “I like it, but I don’t need to buy it” going on here. On the one hand I’m a bit disappointed because I feel like I’m so bored with so many of the latest releases, but, on the other hand, I’m really appreciating the pattern companies cooperating with my goal of buying fewer patterns! My bank account appreciates it!

On another note, it feels very much like Simplicity is trying to produce patterns that should appeal to the indie loving crowd. Maybe it is just me, but I find the naming of the designs, the muted color choices, and the slight focus on designs for wovens to really read as an indie grab. Especially with more of the patterns coming in extended sizing. Also interesting: the shifting of the sewing bloggers to Simplicity and the lack of costume patterns. It feels like the Big4 becoming the Big1 has started to show its effects in the latest releases. I’m assuming all costume licenses will start getting filtered through the Cosplay by McCall’s label, and it looks like the sewing bloggers are getting shuffled to the Simplicity label, as are the designs that feel geared towards those who like indie brands. What do you all think? Are you finding more to like here, or are we all still bored with the spring releases? Am I jumping to conclusions about how designs and styles are getting rejiggered in the company since the merge? Does this release feel like it was created to appeal to the indie pattern lovers out there? So much to discuss – feel free to ponder it all in the comments!