Doctor T Designs

The early summer release from Simplicity is here. There are lots of easy spring/summer styles in this release, but I have to admit there isn’t much that I find particularly exciting. There are, however, a lot of new pattens to look at, so let’s get started:

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S8907 – Button front jumpsuit/dress pattern. Personally, I feel like I’ve seen several similar patterns lately, especially from Burda. This version has some nice deep pockets and topstitching details, but, overall not terribly new or exciting.

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S8908 – I do like the sleek lines of this shirt dress, though the two-toned color blocked version seems a bit wild. I feel like this is another skipable pattern if you have a sizable stash, but I can definitely see the appeal if you don’t have a decent go-to shirtdress style.

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S8909 – Another very basic style. I do like the raglan sleeve/sleeveless cut on the bodice, and the sleeve details have some nice options. This is a really basic style of dress, so no much to comment on there, but it could be very quick to sew and easy to wear for the summer.

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S8910 – Another dress pattern that feels very similar to styles we’ve seen before. I do like the view that is shown on the model, but not enough that I feel the need to add this pattern to the stash. The angled seam line of the bodice and the skirt is a nice detail that is a bit unique to this pattern.

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S8911 – While I have to admit that my writing of the Sew Your Kibbe series has opened my mind as far as silhouettes go, I can’t say I’m particularly excited by this dress. It just feels heavy. Perhaps in a nice print or with different sleeves it might feel otherwise, but the solid pink is a bit… much.

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S8912 – Tunic style dresses are nothing new, so I can’t say there is much to get excited about with this pattern either. I do like the shorter (view B) tunic/dress, but on the whole I think this pattern is a bit of a pass for me.

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S8914 – I think this dress has the potential to be a cute, casual look for summer. I like the asymmetric placket, and the play with stripes is nice.

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S8915 – Mimi G. Style. I also like this maxi dress, especially the view with the tank-top straps. I like the gathering in the back; I think it adds an interesting design feature to a dress that is otherwise a bit plain. Personally, I don’t think I could get away with wearing the spaghetti strap version of the dress, but I do think the back is cute.

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S8916 – This dress feels a bit similar to other styles we’ve seen in the past, but I do like the front tie design detail.

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S8917 – I feel like I want to like this jacket, but it seems a bit bulky and heavy for summer. The asymmetric button tab is interesting, but perhaps feels a bit awkward as well? And the proportions seem just a tad off. It’s a style I want to like, but I’m just not really enthralled by the way it looks on the model.

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S8918 – Fluffy tops with puff sleeves and peplums. This is one of those styles I wouldn’t really want to wear myself, but I do think it would be great if you wanted a softer, more romantic touch to your summer wardrobe.

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S8919 – I like this basic square-neck t-shirt pattern. It’s basic, but it would be a nice style that would coordinate with lots of bottoms. The sleeve options are also great for adding a bit of versatility to such a basic pattern.

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S8920 – If you are more interested in woven t-shirts, this could be a good pattern. It looks a bit boxy to me, but it does have a higher neckline for those who want such things, and it also has several sleeve options.

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S8921 – I must admit I think this top pattern is pretty good as well. I feel like very often these sorts of woven gathered tops tend to look stiff and awkward, but here it seems much better, likely because of the darts in the top. I also like the sleeve and sash options here; the four versions all feel very different despite having the same bodice pattern.

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S8922 – When I looked at the line drawing, I thought these pants had some cool hem treatments, but when I looked on the model they seemed a bit bulky and awkward. I’d love to see this pattern made up by the bloggers out there… cool or crazy? Discuss in the comments.

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S8923 – Very full maxi skirt with godets. This is a skirt that would be really fun to twirl in.

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S8924 – Individually, the pieces in this pattern all seem pretty basic, however, when they are layered as on the model I have to admit it has quite a nice effect. It feels very cohesive and cool in a way that the individual garments may not be able to achieve.

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S8925 – If I didn’t already have way too many wrap dresses and tops, I would definitely get this pattern. I really love the way the dress looks on the model – the sleeve just has a really great drape, and even the skirt and trousers are styles that could look really good as part of a summer wardrobe.

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S8926 – I’m less excited with this wardrobe pattern; the dress and top are a lot of volume and it’s just a bit much for my tastes. I do like the trousers/culottes, but I’m sure I’ve got similar styles in the stash.

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S8927 – Mimi G. Style. This is one of those patterns I think looks really cute, but know I would never wear. I’m really not about the bare midriff, and while the top could be lengthened I’m just not excited enough to actually do that. I do like the asymmetric buttons on the skirt, and I think the use of stripe fabric in the sample is really clever.

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S8928 – Cynthia Rowley. It’s not often I don’t like a Cynthia Rowley design, but I really dislike this pattern. The fabric contrast around the legs of the bathing suit really just looks like you had to adjust a pattern that was too small, and it draws a lot of attention down to the hip region, which, personally, is not something I usually go for with bathing suits. The cover up also has a very Little House on the Prairie vibe that I’m really not excited by at all.

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S8929 – Pattern Hacking. Lots of basic skirt options in one pattern, which could be good for someone staring out. Also love the use of the border embroidery fabric in the example skirt.

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S8930 – Pattern Hacking. I find the “hacks” in this pattern to be a bit boring, but they do all look very easy to sew.

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S8931 – More basic skirt patterns. I like the sporty vibe, but the styles themselves are pretty basic.

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S8932 – 1940s Vintage Reprint. I do like the bikini top – very cute!

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S8933 – As per usual, I don’t have much to say about baby clothes…

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S8934 – Or kids clothes…

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S8935 – Or slightly older kids clothes…

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S8936 – Ok, but pause. I’m sorry, but no way the older kid is going out of the house in this.

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S8937 – This looks like a pretty basic pattern to sew, but it does look pretty fab on the models. I love the contrast border.

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S8938 – Am I the only one who wants to add a jacket to the raccoon to make a little Rocket?

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S8939 – This seems like a fairly practical pattern for making baby related things.

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S8941 – American Duchess. I do like the recent trend of making more historically accurate home sewing patterns. Very pretty!

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S8942 – Harry Potter doll robes! It’s Harry Potter, so of course, automatically it’s cool.

And that’s it! If you are on the look for wardrobe basics I feel like there is a lot to be considered here. However, if you have a fairly sizable stash (as I do at this point), there’s not nearly as much to be excited by. This release is almost a total pass for me; I can’t see anything here that’s going to add something to my collection that I don’t already have. What do you all think? Does this release make you excited for summer sewing? Or is this a total snooze fest that isn’t even worth a second look? Feel free to discuss in the comments!