Friday, February 17, 2012

Hello, lover: Spring 2012 Simplicity Patterns!

Oh, oh, friends. Have you seen the new Simplicity patterns yet? There were squeals at Chez Mary tonight, when I ran across them. They are fantastic. Let's discuss some of the highlights, shall we?

First off there are two new Cynthia Rowley patterns, both lovely. It's odd, because I don't normally enjoy Rowley's runway designs, but her patterns are consistently among my favorites. These two are no exception.


 
Simplicity 1872, Cynthia Rowley:  A tiered design, two dress variations or a blouse, made up in soft, floaty fabrics like georgette, voile, or challis. Isn't this just lovely? I have a bright, floral silk georgette that will be ideal for this flirty little dress. Also...it's a pullover design. Hooray for no closures! I can't wait to make this one up. 




Simplicity 1873, Cynthia Rowley: Dress with box-pleated skirt, in two lengths with a cap sleeve option, paired with a capelet blazer. Cynthia, darling, you just invaded my wishlist for this one, didn't you? I have been dying for a proper box-pleated pattern. Just when I was wrapping my mind around drafting one, you come to the rescue. I can't wait to make this dress, in all three iterations.

Next up is the surprise of these spring patterns...a new designer! Leanne Marshall, the much beloved winner of Project Runway Season 5, has her own Simplicity line! She starts off with a bang, thanks to two cute, modern patterns aimed at the ever-growing number of young sewers. 

Simplicity 1876, Leanne Marshall: A fun, flirty dress with a halter or strapless bodice and a tiered skirt option. Okay, this is one of those patterns that I love, but would never wear myself. I can totally see someone like the lovely Julia Bobbin wearing the hell out of the tiered version of this, however. It is so, so cute! I just like sleeves on my dresses, so it's out of my realm.


Simplicity 1877, Leanne Marshall: Two dresses, both with kimono sleeves and v-necklines, with ruffled and a-line skirt variations. Okay, I'm in love with this one. Sure, those ruffles would make my hips look even wider, but I love them. They're so joyful! I will definitely be buying this one, if only to make the equally lovely a-line version. Kimono sleeves are one of my sewing true loves.

There are also two new Lisette patterns in this batch, neither of which I'm too crazy about. The fabrics are, as always, lovely but very similar to the line we saw last spring. The patterns themselves seem tailor-made to showcase these fabrics, rather than the female form, which I find often happens with designers who dip into both aspects of sewing.

 Simplicity 1878, Lisette: An empire-waist a-line dress, in three lengths. If you've been dying for an April Cornell-reminiscent maxi dress, you're in luck! Not going to lie, this design just feels a bit dated to me. It's not something I would pick off a rack in stores, personally, so I'm certainly not going to sew it. With the right fabrics, however, I could probably be proved wrong.



Simplicity 1879, Lisette: Three-quarter sleeved dress and top, with a pair of cuffed shorts. Of the two Lisette patterns, this is definitely my favorite. The dress is something I haven't seen elsewhere, which on the right body type could prove super adorable. The top is simple, but chic, and those shorts are divine. There just aren't enough modern-cut shorts patterns. I don't plan on sewing any shorts this season, but if I did, you can bet I'd use this pattern!

Finally, we have a couple of new Project Runway patterns, one of which might be the shirt-dress to rule over all other shirt-dresses. Are you ready for this loveliness?


Simplicity 1880, Project Runway: Shirt-dress and faux-wrap dress, with cap, puffed, and three-quarter sleeve options. Okay, Simplicity, you can call this line "Project Runway" inspired all you want, but I know your real inspiration. That yellow crepe pattern photo says it all. This, my friends, is the Duchess Catherine pattern line. Just like last year's 2145, this is straight from Kate's closet.

Looks familiar, doesn't it? This has been a favorite on my Pinterest boards. Now, armed with a little yellow silk crepe and Simplicity 1880, this dress can be mine! 

So, what do you think of the new Simplicity patterns? Any that you're dying to try? The releases are pretty extensive this time around, so I've only highlighted my favorites, but there are some other diamonds to be found I'm sure. My spring sewing is certainly filling up fast, thanks to these lovely new designs!

Update 2-18-12: The lovely Montana, of Sew*Seam-Rip*Repeat, alerted me to exciting news: JoAnn Fabrics is having a 5 for $5 Simplicity sale for President's Day Weekend. My local shop, amazingly, even had the new patterns in stock. I came home with an embarrassing number of them this afternoon. Hopefully, you will have just as much pattern luck!

19 comments

  1. I love to see that Leanne is doing a pattern collection, she was my favorite, too. When seeing her winning collection at the FITM, I fell in love with it for a second time. I think what people like about her designs the most (me too) are the sculptural details. It's awesome that we home sewers can now recreate the look without getting a headache while trying to draft them ourselves. Now I personally also wouln't wear it because of my body type and Simplicity patterns aren't that easy to get here in Europe (for a fair price) but I can't wait for versions to pop up at Burdastyle ect...

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    1. Katarina, I am so jealous that you were able to see her collection in person! You're right, Leanne's sculptural style is really what sets her apart. I'm thrilled that these two patterns reflect that! They can't start popping up on Burdastyle soon enough for me either. People are going to make some phenomenal dresses with these.

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  2. Your post made me gasp in joy. What a great set of patterns! I wasn't going to do dresses this Spring, but I think this collection has changed my mind. And Leanne Marshall??? I love her aesthetic and am looking forward to what else she brings to Simplicity.

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    1. Sophia, that was my exact reaction! They're seriously fabulous and gasp-worthy! And I'm with you - Leanne's new line is one of the most exciting sewing developments yet. We home sewists are going to love her partnership with them, I know it.

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  3. I'm so glad you posted this! I had seen the new patterns already, but had mostly taken a quick look and decided they weren't for me or I already had something similar. Your post made me reconsider though, and I think I may see if I can snap up the two Cynthia Rowleys at Jo-Ann's today. Fingers crossed they're in stock!

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    1. Mika, I hope you have the same luck with JoAnn's that I did. When I walked in, the new patterns were not only available, but prominently displayed. Even better...they were $1. It doesn't get better than that. Good luck!

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  4. Oh dear, these are fantastic! Thank-you for posting them. I don't know if you have a Jo-Ann's close, but this weekend only it is their president's day sale and all simplicity patterns are 5 for $5.... so a dollar a piece. I may have to go back and snab up some more, because I saved *ahem* $96 dollars yesterday.

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    1. Montana, you are my heroine. I had no idea JoAnn's was having a sale! So, after seeing your lovely comment, I swung by there after lunch with a friend. Lo-and-behold...the new patterns were in stock! I bought so many patterns, it was ridiculous. Thank you, thank you for the tip!

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  5. I went to Jo-Ann today and these weren't available yet. I'm guessing they're having their $.99 Simplicity sale to help make room for the new collection. Anyway, YES that shirt PR dress pattern is right up my alley. And I agree with you about Lisette... sometimes you can definitely tell that they are children's pattern designers dabbling in misses' patterns. The designs tend to be too boxy or too high-cut or something. But I'm working on a Lisette pattern as we speak so I shouldn't rag too hard!

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    1. Oh, Andrea, I'm so sorry to hear they weren't in stock yet! I was expecting the same from our JoAnn's, because they are as slow as snails putting new collections out, but they actually had them in stock. It was such a lucky break! I'm way too tempted to start one of the Cynthia Rowleys tonight now...

      Also, I'm so relieved not to be the only one disappointed in Lisette. Boxy is the perfect words for all too many of the designs! Though, I shouldn't say too much either, as I did love 2209, one of their firsts. I hope your pattern turns out well!

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  6. I just got back from Joann with both of the Cynthia Rowley patterns, a couple of the Lisette patterns (1905 and 1878) and and the Amazing Fit 1882.

    I am super excited about 1873 as I too am a fan of box pleats. After I finish my current project (McCall's 5801), I will start on it. Emerald or kelly green poplin would be nice if I could find some.

    I was a bit blah about the Lisette patterns too. I truly loved the Traveler dress (2246) and had hoped for something to top it. I think 1878 would work as a quick summer dress, perhaps with a belt. We'll see.

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  7. I have an obsession for tiered dresses and that 1872 will be mine. (my precious--hehe) Also 1880 is fantastic. I have that yellow dress on my Pinterest as well. So pretty and what a versatile pattern!
    Crystal Hoshor

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  8. I love your selection!
    I'm so excited with the Leanne Marshall patterns, she's my ultimate favorite designer from Project Runway and these designs are amazing! Thank you so much for letting me know they exist.

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  9. Ooo! They SO did not have these at my local Joanns this weekend (where I also took advantage of the 5 for $5). I'm also a really huge fan of Cynthia Rowley patterns and very much looking forward to checking out Leanne Marshall. I really love when real-life stylish people's clothing and translate it into a pattern!

    I also wanted to let you know I gifted you with the Liebster Blogger Award. If you're into that kind of thing, you can check out the details on my blog, Down the Retro Rabbit Hole.

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  10. Oh wow! Thank you for posting this! Lovethose choices! I wonder when they will hit the UK? I can't wait!

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  11. Oh man, I love the first Cynthia Rowley. ALOT. I think I have loved all of her line for Simplicity though. The Leanne patterns are very "Vogue Designer Pattern" aren't they?? (that's a good thing!) I haven't really cared for the Lisette line all that much. I've thought most of the designs were just too boxy to be flattering.

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  12. Ooh, Mary, I'm so glad you were able to find the patterns! Unfortunately, my JoAnn's didn't have the new patterns! Boo :( But I also came home with a ridiculous amount of patterns, haha :)

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  13. I got 1873 and 1879 during my local Jo-Ann's Simplicity sale last week. I love the shorts in 1879!

    I think they did really well with this new collection!

    Garnet

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  14. I can't wait for the 1880, i'm desperate for this pattern, but they haven't been released in the UK yet!!!

    Karen

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