Newsflash: New Simplicity Patterns Announced

You stay off the internet for a week and it gets really easy to miss things, like new pattern announcements.  Except, well, I don't know that missing this announcement would have mattered much.  It is even more boring than the McCall's release I looked at yesterday.  In fact, I think it is entirely possible I looked at this before, thought I had already seen these patterns, and completely ignored this release entirely.  In any case here is what Simplicity has got for early autumn:

S1585: Project Runway pattern.
Is cute, but not necessarily my style.

S1586: Amazing Fit sheath dress.
Continues the color blocking trend in a simple style.

S1587: A 1940s Retro pattern.
Looks similar to the other 1940s pattern released earlier this year.

S1590: Another 1940s Retro pattern.
Actually sort of cute, and up with the peplum trend.

S1592: A wardrobe pattern.  Sort of meh.

S1593: Another wardrobe pattern.  More meh.

S1589: Rather boring top.
But apparently this pattern will help you learn to sew?

S1594: Cynthia Rowley does babies.

S1597: Cute bag pattern.  Probably the least boring thing in the entire release.

So, what do you all think?  The Retro patterns are cute, but look like previous pattern releases.  The modern clothes are sort of boring I think.  When the best pattern is for basic purses you know it isn't a fun day in patternland.  Overall... meh.

Newsflash: Fall McCall's Announced

First, let me say I am quite sorry I have been very lacking in posts lately.  Regionals came up quickly, and blogging was one of the things to get lost from my schedule (along with sleeping and eating as it happens).  But I did manage to get twelve costumes (mostly) finished in time for the regional championships.  I still have another four or five to sew before nationals, not to mention additions and alterations to the costumes I already made.  So expect the posting to continue to be rather light for the next month or so.  I was keeping up with my blog reading (despite lack of comment posting) but now I am completely behind.  Ah, well.  We do what we can with the time we have...

Anyway, while I was away it seems McCall's has released their fall pattern collection.  There look to be a lot of patterns for children, dolls, and Halloween.  Of the remaining patterns I have to say: meh.  Looks like the same trends that have been happening for the past year - peplums, color blocking, maxi dresses, high-low hems, baggy tops.  Nothing much I haven't seen before.  Though I suppose we should take a look anyway:

M6788: A Fashion Star dress.  To be fair I actually rather like this,
though I would probably achieve the look with a top/skirt combo myself.

M6789: Another Fashion Star dress.  Color blocking and peplums.

M6790: Fashion Star chiffon maxi dress.  Meh.

M6798: Fashion Star color blocked top.  A bit boxy for my personal style.

M6791: A Melissa Watson Generation Next for Palmer/Pletsch pattern.
The dress is not terrible, but could they have made a more boring fabric choice?

M6801: A Plenty by Tracy Reese pattern.  I actually think this is cute but it looks
low, short, and super tight, even on the model, so I am thinking I might pass.

Did I mention super tight?

M6792: Palmer/Pletsch pattern.
Baggy color blocked sweater is ok, but not terribly exciting.

M6797: Palmer/Pletsch shirt.
I thought it was rather unremarkable until I saw the line drawing...

How does this fit so nicely over the hips of the model?  My brain cannot process.

M6795: I don't know if this peplum top is fitted enough to be flattering?
I think I have seen better in the past.

M6796: I do like the collar on the sweater top though.

And it comes with a turtleneck option!

M6799: I also like this skirt, though I would go with a shorter length.

M6800: My favorite!  Love the drape of this coat.
Also looks like this pattern has a detachable hood option.
Not looking forward to paying for the almost 10 yards of fabric needed to sew and line it though.

Since I like to collect costume patterns I thought I would post those as well:

M6817: McCall's version of the Disney/Pixar Brave costume.
(Also, doesn't that kid look like the wig is eating her head?)

M6818: Costume Capes.  For what I can only assume is some sort of evil queen or wicked witch?

M6819: Costume cape for a not-so-evil queen.

M6815: How cute is this?

M6804: These doll clothes aren't too bad either.

And, finally, for your enjoyment, something so crazy I almost thought I was looking at a Burda website - McCall's 6809: Boot wraps.  Which is the craziest combination?

The psychedelic wookiee?  

The sherpa yeti?

The grandma sweater lemming?

Or the repurposed blankets?
(BTW, do you see the pouch?  Someone tell me, why???)

So, ummm, yeah.  Overall I am not super impressed.  There are a few patterns I do really like (that coat!), and I will probably add the costume patterns to my stash (it is my thing, don't ask me why), but all in all I think I can pass on most of these patterns.  Though I suppose having at least a few patterns I like is better than the previous release where I didn't really care for any of them, so, well, there is that.  I just usually like more of the fall looks I guess, so I am a bit disappointed.  Did you have any favorites?  Or find anything particularly bad?  Which leg-warmer combo is the worst?  Let me know what you think in the comments!

Newsflash - July Burda Preview Posted

The full preview of the July Burda has been posted to the Russian Burda website.  As I feared/predicted/have come to expect, since the June Burda was soooo good, the July issue is, well, just not.  I mean, there are some good pieces, but nothing that I would consider truly spectacular.  And the crazy.... oh yes the Burda crazy is out full force this issue.  Though to be fair it isn't exactly the patterns that are nuts, but the context in which Burda expects you to wear them.  On the Plus side, there are a few simple, practical, and wearable patterns in the Burda Plus section.  Though there is a bit of crazy in there too.  So, let's jump to it shall we?

First the good stuff:

Hot!  I love the back of this dress, though I would change the skirt front if possible.
My only concern is supporting the boobage.
Maybe a good place to use my skating costume skills to sew in a bra...

A variation on the above dress, but with more practical support system.

Line drawing is uninspiring, but the model/garment photos
may have won me over on this one.

Another sexy back!
Again, maybe not practical but the back looks great.
If I ever need a swimsuit cover up...

Basically a square that wraps around your body.  Hmm.
Well, if I ever have to go to a Toga Party I guess Burda's got me covered.  Heh.

Pretty!  This shirt is probably my favorite thing in this issue.

Though the model's terrible posture pretty much ruins the effect of the shirt.
Also looks like it has the classic low Burda cut.  Perfect for wearing a cami under though.

At first this shirt was sort of meh, but it has been growing on me.
It would be a great layering piece for summer.  And super classy in a lovely silk.

I don't have a lot of shirts that I think look good tucked in,
but this would be a perfect candidate for that.  It's going on my list.
As for the skirt that I loved on the model photo...

The line drawing gives me a bit of a pause,
because I am not sold on the ties, but I might still try it.

Basic pants in a crazy print.  I can live with that.

This tank is pretty boring, but perfect for use with
sequin material, so it goes on my yay list.

Shorts are practical for summer.  And these are some short shorts.

I know, I know - who needs another cowl neck?
I do!  I have plans for those straps.  Oh yes, indeed I do.

Cardigan is not exciting, but not terrible.

The top of this dress is suitably interesting, but, again,
maybe we will be having support problems.

Jacket is a bit more boxy of a cut than I typically go for, but it is alright.

Line drawing because the black is a bit hard to see...

And our vintage pattern for the month... a basic t-shirt.   Eh.  

iPad cases!  Can you say easy gift sewing?

There were also a few useful patterns in the lingerie category this month as well:

I still need to make a slip.  I think there are others I like better,
but the color and the lace here are pretty, so, well, inspiration at least.

Half slip.  I feel like these are hard to buy anymore, but could be rather useful.

The shorts... are a bit crazy, but the top is sort of cute.
With modifications I could see it being a fun sports bra.

The other goodies in this issue were all in the Burda Plus section:

This top is super cute!  I might be making one in the future...

Also love this dress, though I would probably adjust the hem length.

Super classy!

Basic, but practical.

Actually I really like this skirt.  Might make one for me.
(And, no, Burda was not so crazy as to pair the hot pink lace top
with the hot pink lace skirt.  Thank goodness.)

Ok, so that was the good.  Now for the not so good.  It seemed to me that Burda has been somewhat restrained in the cray-cray department the past few months (yay more goodies for us), but this time there is just so much I am left shaking my head over.  Some of them because the patterns are just wrong.  Others simply because of the context of the model photos.  Fair warning: there is some seriously ugly.  Can you handle it?  Are you ready?

Fur at the beach?  Burda, what are you thinking?

Though I don't think a fully sequined cardigan is much more practical.

Then again it looks a bit better in a different environment.

Then again again, it sort of looks like a bathrobe on its own.

I didn't know it was possible to make a "classic" work shirt look this sloppy.

Even the Burda Plus section couldn't be left alone...
Is it me, or does this top look like there are mistakes?

But no!  Is designed that way.

Stretch lace seems to hide the oddity a bit better...

Why would you steal your poor granny's clothes
to wear as beach cover ups?  That is just mean.

You took her nightgown too?!

Thoughts that come to mind:
"Bad skating costume" and "Pinwheel of Death."

Ok, this looks like a waitress costume, right?  Right?
Only, like, from a diner set in a really low budget sci-fi movie.

Oh yes, it seems like Burda has been stocking up on the crazy and unleashed it all in one go.  Overall impressions: meh.  There are a lot of tops I like, but nothing really spectacular for me in this issue.  Most of the dresses are a bit impractical, even if they look great on the beach-ready Burda models.  And then there are a whole lot of head scratchers on top of it all.  Despite this I will still (reluctantly) choose a Best of BS for the month of July:

Purple Burda Plus dress!

I think it is elegant and classy, which in this issue was enough to push it to the top for me.  Though I had a hard time deciding.  The "stand out" dresses were just a bit too impractical to hit the top spot for me, and the shirts are useful, but not terribly exciting.

Which means we now need to pick the worst pattern this month.  This was similarly difficult, but for the opposite reasons.  So. Much. Ugly!  But, well, in the end I had to give the BWTF Award for July to:

The Space Waitress!

Ok, in an absolute sense, some of the other patterns might have been uglier.  But they could also concievably be used for nightgowns, or swimsuit cover ups, or other things that don't require you to leave your home.  There is no way this could be meant for anything other than a dress.  That one would wear outside.  In public.  So, um, yes.  It loses.

And that's what I got.  You guys see anything you particularly like?  What are your thoughts on the sexy beach dresses?  Would you be able to wear them as a dress (and not just as a swimsit cover up?  Or does bouncing boobage give you pause?  Feel free to debate, discuss, and pattern bash in the comments.