Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Vogue's spring patterns and website overhaul

First, thanks to everyone for their concern over my recent trials. One comment from June really stuck with me. She wrote, "... my mom says that problems that can be fixed with money are not serious problems, and she's right (assuming you have the funds to fix everything)." This is so true. We feel extremely blessed to have all that we do.

I kind of set the goal of not writing any more posts until I had some new sewing to show you. But I just can't help myself.

Excitement!!! Have you seen Vogue's new website overhaul? It is awesome! You can click on all the small pictures on the envelope fronts to enlarge. Almost all the new patterns have detail pictures and back views. Additionally, the new spring lineup is fantastic! Lots of garments with interesting construction lines and complex details. LOVE IT!

Up first is this Tracy Reese dress, 1157. Love the faux wrap front, front & back peplum, high back neckline and princess seamed skirt. I'll probably leave off the ruffly cap sleeves - those never look good on my non-spaghetti arms.

Here's another Tracy Reese design, 1158, that I'm totally smitten with. You can't tell from the garment very well, but it has bias bands all around the neckline, armholes and sewn on front tying belt. I like it in the stripe to show off the cute bias skirt. Perhaps I'll use a contrasting color to set off the bias bands. This dress has a gorgeous neckline, especially at the back.

Dress 1161 is another favorite. Love the extended shoulders, interesting seaming details, keyhole back opening and flouncey back skirt. Awesome. I wouldn't change a thing on this one.

WOW! That just about sums up this next design, dress 1162. Not that I have anywhere to wear it, but it is Beaut-I-Ful! I heart those rose sleeves, pleated neckline ruffle, self-fabric piping along the front neckline and front waist pleating. I might have to buy tickets to some fancy-smancy event just to make the dress.

What do you think of this next fabulous offering, suit 1169 by Rebecca Taylor? It has some beautiful detailing with piping and hand-picked stitching galore. What a special suit. The neckline looks too low for me, but I don't think raising it would be a problem. I'd also eliminate the back gathered flounce on the skirt. The back pleats of the jacket peplum combined with the back skirt flounce are a little too much for me.

This is another Rachel Comey design, 1170. Who I've personally never heard of, but I live under a rock when it comes to designers. I sure love her stuff, though. The blouse buttons up the back with an interesting knotted neckline and sleeve ties. WHAT a cute skirt. It reminds me of dress 1161 with the interesting seaming and back flounce. The wide waistband is a nice touch as well.

I'm loving this little top, 8635. It's a wrap top out of knit. What's not to love? The cap sleeve version without contrasting bands in my pick.

Augh!!! These are almost all dresses! Do I need more dress patterns? NO! I do not! I actually liked a few more of the new designs, but am telling myself to be super picky. What are your favorites? And what do you think of this new Vogue website?

20 comments:

  1. That red dress, gorgeous! I want to make it, I really do. And what do you mean you don't have anywhere to wear it? It's not that formal, is it? I could think of tons of occasions to wear such a dress to. Or is that a cultural difference of opinion? ;-) I'd say: Go for it. I am sure you would look stunning in it.

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  2. These dresses are really exciting, especially the red one!
    The 2nd and 3rd dresses like than you.

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  3. I'm loving the Rebecca Taylor suit!

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  4. I loved many of the new Vogue patterns too! And I really like the new website layout (of course McCall's and Butterick have the same layout too). It's much easier to browse patterns.

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  5. I really love the new line up, too. I am a bit nervous about the skill level though. I didn't see where it said the sewing difficulty level on the site.

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  6. If I had more sewing skills, I'd be all over that red dress. I LOVE it, but I'm afraid that with it's Advanced rating, it would just be a disaster waiting to happen. Although, the longer I look at it, I might take a stab at it. We'll see. ;)

    I think I'm planning to make 1161 for a wedding I have to attend this spring. Should be challenging, but hopefully will turn out well.

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  7. I am going to have to have V1162 Those rose sleeves are to die for!!! I will just wear it to church on Sunday morning. People are used to me overdressing anyway :) I wonder, though, if it could be made more casual by using a different fabric?

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  8. I LOVE the new website and the new patterns. As soon as the next on I will be picking up a bunch, including that red dress with the rose sleeves. It's my 10th wedding anniversary this year and I was thinking about a red dress so voila, this is it! Can't wait to see some of these patterns made up by bloggers!

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  9. My friend's firm in Chicago did the site redesign - I was so excited that it was released this morning!

    The new Vogue patterns are FIERCE! The first dress?! Oh my goodness. I am in love.

    Rachel Comey is a newer, really hip designer. I can't believe she is designing patterns for Vogue. So awesome.

    Great post, thanks!

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  10. Rachel, I think you are right about wearing the red one to church. It is a little dressy but who cares? I think people are use to me overdoing it as well.

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  11. I love your blogs - I found the new site from KidMd's link - but I do like it - I love what you picked out. You really know what looks good on you! I myself made the discovery of the vintage section of Vogue - which I really didn't think they had! Exciting!

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  12. I just noticed that most of the model poses are extremely similar to the poses you strike in your own photos :-)

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  13. I love the stripey bias cut dress, but I'm left wondering why they made the effort to match the stripes on the back and not the front?!

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  14. I am loving almost everything that you posted about! At first I didn't think I would ever have anywhere to wear the amazing rose sleeved dress but then I actually looked at it for a while and I think it would be great as a vintagey piece to go dancing in! I can always use more pieces like that

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  15. I too love the Rebecca Taylor suit but hate the skirt flouce. I would eliminate the flounce and pleat it the same as the jacket.

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  16. Oooh, those are fab. Love the rose sleeves and the knot front blouse especially. I definitely don't need any more patterns either.

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  17. Since I'm never going to make that red dress, I'm dying to see it made up and on PR. It looks spectacular. And I too love the website and the great pattern pics and details.

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  18. The Rebecca Taylor suit is my favorite, but doesn't come in my size. I'm buying it anyway. Either I'll lose weight or figure out how to grade the pattern. I'm so glad the websites have been redesigned!

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  19. Hmm, interesting to think what the rose dress would look like in a more casual fabric...maybe a cotton/linen blend would give it a vintage feel? It would still be dressy, but maybe not quite as formal...

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  20. Love 1161 with the little flounce on the back. I live in South Africa and unfortunately we don't have great fabric shops here - loads of shops but really cheap Chinese fabric. Picked you up on Pattern Review and have been reading your blog. Wish I could sew like you! Have just bought Simplicity 2603 and 2562 for my stash. What sewing machine do you have?

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