Summer Vogues

I love Vogue patterns.  They seem to fit me much better than any other brand that I’ve tried, though I confess I haven’t made any McCalls or Butterick patterns yet.  Fit For Real People claims that they are similar, and that simplicity is different through the shoulders and armholes, something I can attest to – I have to adjust that part of Simplicities.  In Vogue I am finding that I am usually a 10 on the bottom and an 8 on the top.  I appreciate the consistency, as it seems that it’s impossible to know sometimes what size I might make.   So a day with new patterns is exciting for me!  Here are my picks:

1174 is a strapless dress by Cynthia Steffe.  I love this!  I have avoided strapless like the plague my whole life, fearing a major wardrobe malfunction.  But – if I’m making it for myself, I can actually adjust the bodice to be small enough for my ribcage – yay!  I love the print too… I am crazy for roses on fabric.

1182 is the first of two designs by Kay Unger, who is new to Vogue.  This is such a classic and flattering style.  I love the version in red shantung – I have a lovely green shantung that I have been looking for a pattern for, and this is a contender!

1183 is the second Kay Unger design.  It’s rated easy, and I can see this being a popular style.

1176 is a Michael Kors design – I love his designs (and love him as a judge on Project Runway!)  This dress is beautiful – love the bow, the shape, and the polka dots – a definate “do” for me!

Finally there are two new Vintage Vogues.  1172 is my pick – a classic full skirted number from the 50s.  I am so appreciate of Vogue for re-releasing these patterns, while some of the other companies seem to have stopped.  This dress is lovely and classic.  The other vintage Vogue is 1171.

I don’t think the collar is for me – it would be overwhelming.  But it’s lovely as well, and a pretty good pick (though I sometimes wish the vintage issues were more adventurous, I understand that they go for wide appeal.)

There are, as usual, a fair number of “what were they thinking” patterns as well, including an epic satin caftan and a terrible jumpsuit that looks like something Clarissa would have worn while explaining it all.  I also don’t care for the two Anna Sui dresses – I feel as though all her designs are very similar, with lots of lace and frills and not enough length for my taste.  The Very Easy Vogue dresses this time are a little boring, but they do look like good basics.  And there are a few tops that I can’t tell about – I hate the drawings they use for their top models, which appear incredibly broad shouldered.