Spring 2017 Pattern Picks - Vogue, McCalls, Butterick, Simplicity, New Look

I am so excited for some spring sewing that I thought I would do one big "Pattern Picks" post for all the new spring pattern releases... well, all the companies that I sew often and that have a seasonal release anyway.  That means the "big 4" - Vogue, McCalls, Butterick, and Simplicity + New Look, which I also often like.

First up is McCalls.  There are loads of great patterns from McCalls this spring.  For the sake of the length of this post, I'm only mentioning the ones that I truly want to make - so a super cute tee-shirt dress that I already have a perfectly acceptable pattern to make will not make the cut.  Ok?  Ok.  let's go.

M7540  I almost didn't include this one because I just cannot think of a legit function where I will wear this.  :-(  Super sad face.  I really do love this jumpsuit.  Click through to see the drawing of the back.  So cute!  I need a baby shower or something on my calendar to actually buy this pattern, though.  Is there any circumstance for which you would actually wear this?  Maybe I just need lots more dinner date nights with my husband.

M7537 I have actually already purchased this pattern and plan to make it in the berry-colored rayon challis below.  Call me crazy, but I am considering the ballon-y sleeve option.  Knowing me, they'll probably get cut off to short sleeves, though.

M7533 calls to me in this line drawing.  The modeled pic isn't doing much for me, though, so that makes me pause.

M7538  Someone restrain me, please.  Remember this fiasco? Ugh.  I envision it in this fabric, though, playing with the stripes and solids.  I bought soooo much of that fabric for some reason that I wouldn't even cry if it didn't turn out great.  

M7547  After much analysis, I decided that what draws me to this pattern is the pockets.  I wouldn't like the high rise aspect, so I should just use the pockets on pants that I know fit well.

M7549  I already bought this one.  I don't have any jackets anything like this.  The blue quilted version just really drew me in for some reason.  I have no idea what fabric I want to use with this.  Maybe a really pale pink chambray-type fabric.  Yeah, I see wearing that with white pants and jeans.  Isn't pink "in"?

The Vogue spring patterns are nice, also, but most are too formal or trendy for me.  I only got one, V1537, which I can't wait to make.  I have a couple of functions this spring that I think this dress/jacket set will work well for.  I am going to Pennie Fabrics in Sarasota in a few days with the hope of finding the perfect fabric for this pattern.

Of the Big 4 companies, I think I sew Butterick the least, but I found a few I would like to try this spring.

B6446  This is so cute in the gingham.  A bit too cutesy perhaps?  I don't know.  I haven't bought it yet, but it might just be casual enough for everyday summer wear.

B6449  I'm not sure I'll get around the buying or making this.  I already have several cute knit dress patterns I haven't even cut into.  I like the maxi version, but I find maxi skirts too hot for Florida summer, so I don't know.

B6448  I keep finding myself drawn to this pattern.  It's nothing earth-shattering, but something about the cut looks so flattering.  It might be that floral fabric that's sucking me in.  Gotta watch out for that.

B6461 I am drawn to these pants - the black version, NOT that floral version.  I would do a wider elastic in the waistband.  The seaming on the legs is interesting.

Simplicity and New Look.  Ugh.  That website.  I don't even know why it is so bad.  I think it's just too much on one site.  Vogue, McCalls, and Butterick are all owned by the same company, but they each have their own websites - so much better.

I only have one Simplicity pattern on my list, and it is 8295, and really, it is so similar to this dress that I made that, yeah, I won't actually be buying that pattern afterall.  Any version I want to make, I can hack it with the pattern I already have.

The only New Look pattern that is intriguing me is 6494 and it's not like I can just put in a pic of the version I like.  Oh no...  Anyway, bottom left is my favorite, but I have no vision of what fabrics I would want to use, so I doubt I will be getting this one.  Plus, I already have two shirtdresses.

Alright, well if you made it this far, I hope you found a little inspiration. What will you be sewing this spring?

Spring 2016 Sewing Inspiration

Even though it feels like I just posted about Early Summer sewing patterns, spring sewing is still on my mind.  Here are some inspiration pieces that I've run across, mostly in catalogs, that have my creative wheels spinning:

Boden Alice A-Line Dress.  Is this not the perfect inspiration to get me going with McCalls 7391?

I am really into a structured top with skinny pants.  I want to make some skinnies in white and gray this spring, probably using Vogue 1439, the same pattern as my favorite red pants.  This little top would be great with them!   New Look 6808 would be a great start for the top.  Luckily, I already have the pattern.  I would have to draft the roll neck, but it's basically the same as this one I made.  It's just a rectangle cut on the bias.  

Next up is a challenge:  JCrew's Scalloped shirt.  All this needs is a nice basic shirt pattern and some time with drafting paper.  So pretty, and I like that the scallops aren't on the edge of the shirt, so I think it looks less little-girly.

Ok.  Here are some ideas for my embroidery machine.  Both basic tops with some strategically placed stitching.  We'll see if anything comes of these...
Embroidered Circles Sleeveless Top and Chambray Scalloped Top with Grommets.

Of course, the essential shirtdress this season.  There are patterns everywhere!  This one is from Boden, and I love the sunny yellow print.  The Sophia Shirdress.

A pretty print blouse?  Yes, please!  Dolly Top from Boden.

And finally, because a good portion of my wardrobe inspiration comes from little girl designs, my beach coverup dream:  Boden's Towelling Beach Dress, and look here:  some striped terry fabric!

I am so excited for spring sewing, I don't know what to start first.

Pattern Picks: McCalls Early Summer 2016

First off, congratulations, McCalls Pattern Co on your nice new websites, but to bring it back to ME, all my links and pics are broken.  :-(  I'm fixing things as I come across them.

So on to the Early Summer patterns.  Again, McCalls has me excited to buy some new ones, but it seems like just last week that I was picking spring patterns, and I still haven't been able to find a couple at my local JoAnn's.  Anyway, here are my favorites:

McCalls 7380 is another shirtdress, but of course there are small differences like the elasticized back waist.

McCalls 7381 is a cute dress without the tied bodice option.  This would be nice in a rayon.

McCalls 7388 has potential, but I'm not sure how I feel about the zipper in a casual top, and of course I like the most boring version - view C.

McCalls 7391 is the one I am running out to buy!  These lace-up details are everywhere now, and there are a few nice options in the pattern.

McCalls 7392 is another must-buy for me.  I like a button-front skirt, and the casual pockets on this are great.  

There were really cute kids options this time, too.  

McCalls 7379 is a nice basic pattern for boys.  The shorts look nice for my 6-year-old who hates buttons.  

McCalls 7377 is a cute basic girls' pattern bundle for woven fabrics.  I could have a lot of fun with these and my embroidery machine.  I wonder if any of my nieces need clothes for spring...

McCalls 7378 is too big for any of my nieces, but I think the top is really cute!

So that's it for me this time around.  How about you?

Pattern Picks: McCalls Spring 2016

The Spring McCalls patterns just came out, and I'm super excited about them!  Lots of separates, especially woven tops, are calling to me.  There were other good ones, but they are similar to something I already have.  These are the ones I'd love to get into my hands:

I love McCalls 7350.  It reminds me a lot of OOP McCalls 5752, which I made ages ago in purple and loved until it basically fell apart.  I will definitely be getting this one.

There are a lot of shirt-dress patterns out right now, and McCalls 7351 is a very nice option.  I like the shirttail option, the pleat at the back, and the perfect swing-iness of the skirt,

I like the gathered bodice on McCalls 7367.  I'll probably wait to see this made up a few times to see how I like the gathered top with the straight skirt.  However, if I think a gathered skirt would look better, that is easy to fix!

McCalls 7358 is a really cute woven wrap blouse.  I like the sleeveless version and the one with the little fold-back collar.  I like it in the gingham fabric shown, too.

McCalls 7360 is another cute woven top.  I already have Itch to Stitch's Mila Shirt, though, which is similar and has a collar option.

Yet another cute woven top - McCalls 7357.  I can see this lengthened to a really nice swim cover-up.

I almost passed over McCalls 7364 because of the drawstring waist, which is silly because some of my favorite pants have drawstrings. I like the pockets and all the different options.  These could be some really cute casual shorts and pants.  On the model, they look like they hit at a nice spot below the waist.

Finally, McCalls 7354.  I think the fabrics used in the sample don't show this dress off very well.  It's definitely playing off the vintage vibe, but I think this could work nicely in a solid or an updated print without the gigantic patch pockets and with a different finishing technique than bias tape.  This is basically another version of the infamous Walkaway dress, and I really like the waist tab closure.

This is the only pattern release I've seen this spring that really excited me.  What about you?  Did I miss your favorites?  Is there a different company that got your attention?

McCalls Pattern Picks Summer 2015

Summer McCalls are on the website.  It looks like there are a lot of good basic summer dress shapes, which is great.  I already have the basics in my pattern boxes, though. so there are only a few that I'm eyeing.

M7161 is what I'd call a pretty basic shape, but I still would like to get my hands on it.  I like the slit on the long length and like the idea of a maxi dress in something other than a knit fabric.

M7158 is another long woven dress I wouldn't mind having in my closet.

M7152 is super cute.  I have been wearing tons of dresses and skirts lately.  I love the button detail at the shoulders.  I'd like to make this with a solid at the shoulders and stripes below, but lots of combos would be nice.

M7162  Tell me - are peplum tops still "in?"  The fact that I really like this one tells me that they are  probably on the way "out" since I'm generally a year or two behind the curve.

I really want to like M7155 but It's a bit wide for me.  I'll be anxious to see some made up.  Views A and C are my favorites.  No ruffles, please.

M7165 looks like a nice shorts pattern.  I don't really need one at the minute, though.

I am always drawn to swimwear patterns, although I have yet to make a wearable swimsuit.  M7168 is really cute.  Another I'll hold off purchasing until I see some made up on Pattern Review.

M7174 intrigues me.  I want to see how these pillows are made.  Very impressive, McCall.

Finally, there are two girls' patterns that I'll try to pick up for possible niece sewing. Very cute!

M7148 

and M7142