Vogue's Awesome Fall 2018 Collection

I absolutely love when the pattern companies release their new collections for the upcoming sewing season.  Over the past several weeks, I've checked out the Fall 2018 offerings from Simplicity, Butterick and McCall and even identified a few patterns that I'm considering adding to my inventory, but I've been eagerly waiting to see Vogue's Fall collection.  So, when I woke up yesterday morning at 4:00 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep, I decided to grab the iPad and check their website instead of staring at my ceiling...and I'm glad I did because the collection had just dropped!

As I clicked through the pattern thumbnails on the new collection's home page, I was struck by the frequency of hearing my inner voice say "Hmm...interesting."  In years past, I've been disappointed with new seasonal offerings from many of the companies, but that's not the case with this collection.  In fact, I was surprised at the number of pattern style that I either liked or loved and felt inspired to share this post on the ones which really stood out for me.

Vogue 1597
What caught my eye with this pattern was the jacket lapel, which transformed an otherwise basic jacket into a stand-out piece.

BLC Day 7: Wool & Leather Coat Refash - The Plan

I can't tell you why, but I have a fondness for white wool coats.  Not white-white, but more winter-white. Something about them looks sophisticated and classic to me, almost regardless of style.  I shared with you yesterday my observation regarding the sudden trendiness of shopping at thrift stores, and that I, too, have shopped them to see what treasures I could scoop up.  Last week while traveling in Grand Rapids, MI for work, I stopped by the Goodwill store located on Kraft Ave. to see what they had.

I found this winter-white wool coat.  It was in very good condition, but it didn't fit me well, especially around the biceps which is always a fitting challenge for me.  But, I thought there was enough fabric to do "something" with it.

New Vintage Pattern Hauls

Hello, my name is Aisha, and I am a patternholic.  I own well over 600 patterns, and yet my desire for more never seems to wane.  One reason is that I love having options available whenever the desire to sew strikes me.  It may be that I love everything about a pattern, or it may be a style detail contained within. Lately, I've been looking at vintage options, most likely inspired by creations I've seen come off the sewing tables of my favorite bloggers.  Whatever the case, I've been looking through Pinterest and eBay a lot lately and found some vintage styles which have fueled my pattern desire.

For example, I spotted and pinned an image of Vogue 7939 because I like the front drape of the bodice and off-center skirt opening.  This particular image originated from an Etsy posting where this pattern was being sold for $9.99.  Not a bad price, but I wasn't convinced I wanted to pay that, plus shipping, to own it...so I pinned it and waited.

Vogue 7630: The Thrill of the Hunt

I recently shared with you that one of my goals is to be more consistent with publishing blog posts.  I really don't like going months without making an entry, but sometimes time is so scarce that I have to put blogging on the back burner for a while.  And although my personal blogging activity may be limited, I am pretty consistent with keeping up with the entries published by bloggers whom I follow.  At last count, I actively follow 82 different blogs, with the lion's share of them being sewing related and managed by some extremely talented and creative women.  Recently, I've noticed many of them trending towards the use of vintage patterns to create their beautiful one-of-a-kind garments.

Stash Additions

I have to admit my expectations regarding my post-operative activity level was extremely optimistic, to say the least.  My surgery was on Monday last week, and I expected to be home Tuesday and ready to piddle around in my Sewing Room by Thursday or Friday, at the latest.  In fact, I remember telling my friend, Denise, that I had to get in my final bid on an eBay auction I was watching which ended around 9:45pm that Monday night.  "My surgery is robotic and the hospital has WiFi, so I should be feeling well enough to go online and submit my bid."  I still remember her laughing at me.

Two weeks later, not only did I miss all of my target days and auction deadlines - and I don't even care that I did - but I've had little energy to do much more than surf the internet, watch TV, shower and make my bed (sometimes).  However, prior to surgery, I did win auctions for two separate lots of sewing patterns and I just now feel energetic enough to examine them and share with you what I received.  I'm hoping to have energy tomorrow to actually catalog them, add to my stash and outline my process for you.

McCall's and Simplicity - $.99 Sale

I've been stalking shopping for sale patterns at JoAnn's lately, and have even noted the sale dates in my planner so I wouldn't forget them.  Recently, all McCall's and Simplicity patterns were on sale for 99-cents, and you know I love a good pattern sale.  Listed below are the items I purchased within the past few weeks.


I love the seam detail on this dress, especially View A.



JoAnn Pattern Sale - Vogue and McCall's

I went to JoAnn's yesterday for the Vogue and McCall pattern sale and picked up the following items:

Vogue 1296

Vogue 8711

Vogue 8741

Vogue 8776

McCall's 6204

I really liked this pattern after I saw Jane Leeves wearing a similar style on a "Hot in Cleveland" episode.

McCall's 6400



There were a couple of patterns I really wanted which weren't in the drawers, so I'll have to wait until the next sale.  Hopefully, they won't be discontinued between now and then.

Be blessed!!

Aisha

JoAnn Pattern Sale - Simplicity

Hello All,

I'm almost finished with Miss Vickie's MOB outfit and will post final pictures (hopefully of her wearing it) sometime tomorrow.  My daughter and I went fabric shopping for the dress she'll be wearing to her boyfriend's prom Tuesday - I'll post those pictures tomorrow, too.

This was Day 1 of the Simplicity "5 for $5" pattern sale at JoAnn, so I prepared my shopping list last week in anticipation.  Remember - I LOOOOOVE a pattern sale!!  Simplicity patterns will be on sale until May 28th.  Until tomorrow...

Be blessed!!

Aisha

Simplicity 1931



I love the View B rug - I think it would be perfect
for Max!

Simplicity 1874



This dress is much more sophisticated than the
Jessica McClintock designs I recall from "back in the day". 



Simplicity 2253

 

I love the front of this dress and am trying to figure out
how to take the bodice design detail down to the skirt.



Simplicity 4070

I simply love this lace-overlay dress.  It reminds me of the styles
worn by the blonde love-interests in any 1950s Hitchcock flick.

It's Official...

...my favorite new pattern is Vogue 1296!  I simply love this top's pleated collar and the skirt's godet.








Hey, do you remember when I wrote about the "Dare to Flare" article in January Vouge magazine?  I just realized this top includes that peplum design which is supposed to be hot this spring.  Even more reason to love this pattern!!

(Side note - my daughter has a theory on why peplums are coming back; girls realized that being "skinny" is over-rated and started eating again, but then realized they got a little extra cushion around the middle.  So, the peplum covers up the muffin-top!  Hmm...interesting theory.)   






Excuse me, but, ummm... I have to go to.  Gotta confirm when JoAnn is having their next $3.99 Vogue pattern sale.

Be blessed!!

Aisha



P.S.  Oh noooooo!!  The Vogue sale ends tomorrow!!!  So much for that 15-hour hibernation I had planned for Saturday.

Sunday Sales

I totally forgot that JoAnn had a 99-cent sale on Simplicity patterns, so I had to make a mad dash out to pick up a few.  I can't seem to pass up a good pattern sale and, of course, I picked up a few other things as well.  When it was all said and done, I saved $185.23 and only spent $36.27.  Man, I love, love, LOVE a good pattern sale!!

In addition to a few notions, here's what I picked up...


2337 - I love the side detail on the grey dress

2512 - Emanne likes the gathered skirt

2603 - I love the versitility of this wrap

2556 - love the notched collar and back of this vest

2153 - had a jacket like this some years ago

2341 - love view A

  

2508 - love the "white" jacket and sleeves from the "green" one

2072 - Emanne wants to be Sailor Moon for some upcoming comic convention

3782 - I love making historical costumes - got this just because

We also made a run to DSW and picked up a few things on clearance...


Audrey Brooks platforms...

...I LOVE the heel on this shoe




Steve Madden platforms...had my eye on these for some time...need a little buffing

It was an enjoyable afternoon.

Be blessed!!

Aisha