Simplicity seems to release less patterns at a time, more frequently than other companies. “Early Fall” is out now (not on the homepage, but the patterns are in their various categories.) There is one that both excites and amuses me!
I thought it looked familiar, so I went through my inspiration file.
It’s similar (though not identical) to this skirt, which I’m pretty sure I tried on at Anthropologie last year. I like the ruffled pockets, but no doubt is was like $150 for a pencil skirt or something, so I didn’t buy it. Now I can make my own (and yes, ok, it’s a skirt with ruffled pockets, and I could make my own from any pencil skirt pattern… but hey, I like to have things spelled out for me. I’m not big on improvising.) I have a black wool jacquard that might be cute for this, or I might get a tweed to make it more like the inspiration.
There are only 2 dresses in this group, so not too much for me. The project runway dress has cute pleated sleeves, but I’m already planning to make vogue 8280, which has pleated sleeves and a better neckline for me. I’m just happy to see a lack of asymmetrical hemline action (I know it was controversial when I took my stand against them, but I still don’t like the look!)
I’m excited for the fall Vogue patterns – I like Simplicity, and I have had success with their patterns, but I think I’m a Vogue girl.
I got the straps sewn for my jumper muslin, but decided that I just cannot tell if it fits without making up the skirt as well. Hopefully that will give me a better idea of what the weight of the skirt hanging will do to the top (the top may be a tiny bit large, and it may need some adjustments. I think it fits in the waist, but since it doesn’t have sleeves I would like a close fit in the bust.
Ordinarily, at this point I would just go ahead and cut and fit from my real fabric, but you see I really like the polka dots… I looked for quite awhile for navy and white dots (suprisingly hard to find) and I don’t want to waste them on a less than stellar result – it’s worth the pain of more testing! I’ll probably have muslin photos tomorrow, depending on my level of frustration… I will definitely have finished photos of the Tara dress (which I just love!)
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
Thanks for the heads up about new patterns. Also, what is the weight of that navy polka dot fabric? Do you think it would work well for a fitted sheath dress? You are right, it is hard to find. I’ve been looking for some dots for some time too.
I’m with you on the asymmetrical hemlines not being all that. I picked up the other dress (not the project runway) as well as a few other of the new Simplicities – better than McCall’s this time around.
Those ruffled pockets are cute, but I can’t see most women going for extra ruffle around the hips. You’re tiny, so it will no doubt be cute, but there’s no way I’d add visual width to my hips like that!
Oh, you should make it in tweed to match the inspiration photo! That would be fabulous for fall. 🙂