Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Simplicity and a Vintage Set of Sleeves

Simplicity has done it again with their latest pattern collection.  It would seem that they really are listening to their customers.  And to prove it, we finally have a vintage multi-sleeve pattern!  How fabulous is this?!?  Definitely hoping they will continue to release these wonderful patterns because there are so many glorious 1930s sleeves to choose from.  Contemporary fashion may think they have created the "statement sleeve," but they've got nothing on sleeves from this period.


They also have re-printed one of those elusive 1930s lingerie patterns that sell on e-bay for crazy amounts of money.  And I have recently been thinking about making myself a pair of tap pants . . . now I guess I don't have any excuse.


But even more exciting than that . . . would you look at this 1930s reproduction dress.  I am in love!

The sleeves are fabulous, of course.  Smocked sleeves?  Sign me up, please!  But the style lines are pretty darn fabulous, as well.  And should you think those puffed bits are over the top, just look at the more tailored version.  Still pretty gorgeous, right?!


To top it all off, you really can't go wrong with a 1950s swing coat.  I have promised myself not to purchase new fabric until I get through more of my stash (no room for more fabric), so I am going to have to think about what to do with this one.  Because I need this coat in my life immediately!!  Just look at those dramatic cuffs!  The illustration shows a checked print, or perhaps a plaid, but the only plaid coating I have is probably too over the top and heavy for this particular design - but I may have to make it work.


There is also another lovely suit to add to the collection!  This looks late 1940s to me, so I would probably throw that swing coat over my shoulders in extra chilly weather.  And that vintage purse the model is holding is pretty great, too.  How about adding more vintage bags to the catalog, and maybe some hats as well, Simplicity?

This design probably looks best in a magazine editorial paired with dramatic posing.  I think it would be difficult to pull off in everyday life, but I do like that they chose something slightly different from the expected vintage look.  And the skirt is not another basic pencil, it has some lovely pleating through the back; but are those loops used to corral the stole may look slightly odd without that accessory.  I also wish that illustrated blouse was included because I really like the looks of it. 

I love the idea of this Sew Chic design, but I think it needs a few tweeks.  First, I believe the addition of a gusset would greatly improve the fit of those sleeves.  Part of that issue may be that the fit is not very good on this particular model.  The other thing I am not sure I like is the addition of the shoulder piece and the back closure.  Without that piece, the line drawing looks just like a Ceil Chapman design, which I love.  The drape also looks a bit clumsy in the silk dupioni, but that is easily fixed with a different fabric choice - perhaps a multi-layered chiffon drape to contrast with the structured silk and add a pleated overlay of the chiffon to the waistband to tie it all together?


And while I have no need for stuffed animal patterns, look at how adorable these vintage Disney characters are!


Totally fabulous.  Can I come up with a need for one of these?  Probably not, but I still think they are a lovely addition to the catalog.


So much for not adding to my pattern stash this season . . . .

16 comments:

  1. OH MAN I need that sleeve pattern. As a cosplayer I'm always mixing and matching pattern pieces, and sleeves are really hard for me to get right when drafting. I LOVE the idea of having a "sleeve stash" to choose from!

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  2. Thank you! I never even LOOK at Simplicity patterns and you've just shown me a handful I'm now going to HAVE to purchase!

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  3. YES!! I am so impressed with their selections for this release. The bulk of my true vintage patterns are Simplicity, so I know they've got the goods in the archive. I am so excited for the lingerie and sleeve patterns especially! Those are hard to find and, as you say, can be expensive. Can't wait to see your take on the swing coat!

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  4. I'm so curious about the sleeve pattern, do you think they are easy to fit? A couple of the styles look like they need pretty major bodice adjustments to go with them. I can't wait to give them a go!

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  5. Oh my goodness!! All of these patterns are wonderful, especially the sleeve variations and the lingerie pattern. Thank you for sharing these beauties.

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  6. Simplicity are doing so well with the repro and retro patterns at the moment!

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  7. Simplicity has been releasing some really interesting repro patterns, but this time they just outdid themselves. It really seems that they have been listening to vintage-sewing community pleas, doesn't it... I'm so in love with the swing coat and I think that - along with the 1930s repros - my pattern stash is going to enjoy new additions.

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  8. The swing coat is "it", wait for the perfect fabric (try Mood's wool coating selection) - of course, one hopes that you shall refrain from brazen twirling when modeling and wearing.

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    1. Dangit, there is no other kind of twirling!

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  9. really curious about the lingerie and sleeve patterns - when they do the re-issues it seems to be a re-draft rather than a scan which probably is useful for trousers but generally in so far as I can see, they lose a bit of the elegant line of the pattern....I have only seen a few where they have been compared and from this I would always prefer the originals......I am really hoping they did go with a scan on the sleeve one as that is a gorgeous pattern

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  10. These are so gorgeous! Thanks for sharing and your commentary.

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  11. wow that 30's dress shown in velvet is gorgeous, I think you should make it just like the example. And the suit is great too, I love those late 40's early 50's structured suits. they make me think of Katherine Hepburn movies of the period. (by the way - have you seen the movie Desk Set? a Christmas comedy with Hepburn/Tracy that is one of my all time fav movies and the clothes are fabulous - even the bathrobes :)

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  12. Simplicity is surely cementing its relationship with Disney licensing this year. And yes, I want the stuffed animals and the sleeves. I'm mostly thrilled with the bra and panties pattern (so many bad versions of those panties out there, I hope they have a wide size range and drafted on a bigger block for them). Doesn't everyone already own that swing coat pattern? I feel like it's the number one repeater in my collection (well, after the sleeves. And Dumbo. Cause Dumbo.)

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    1. Panties go up to 44" hip. Which is good for me. They do have two size ranges though, which bodes well for scaling up.

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  13. What a great idea to have a sleeve pattern with so many options. Oh I love that swing coat too!

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  14. Nice! I really like the post, especially that lingerie patterns and sleeve pattern. Thank you for sharing these ideas and I will keep in mind. I am obsessed by the bras and panties pattern with many options. I love to collect different design of lingerie.

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