New Patterns I

A package arrived from Vogue Patterns over the weekend, and I just got around to opening it and cataloging and filing the patterns.  There was a sale last week, and I took the opportunity to order some of the new patterns and a couple of older ones I hadn't gotten around to previously.  There were quite a few patterns, so being my normal wordy self, I am going to have to break this up into two posts.  

 I'll start with the only non-Vogue in this order, McCalls 6165.  This is a pattern that I probably would not have purchased not that long ago, although it would have intrigued me even then.  I am not sure what my problem would have been as I am pretty sure there is a lot of potential here and it is a good look for me.  I've worn long sweaters and long a-line hand knits for some time.  

I think that wearing that Elm dress that I bought back in the spring has really helped lighten my spirit.  Those two pieces are the most frequently worn items in my closet right now and I think they are helping me to look at garments and how I might wear them with new eyes.  Anyway, I see lots of options for these tunics in all seasons, and I really want at least one NOW.  I might have to start pawing through my fabric collection.

 Next, a Sandra Betzina shirt, not from the newest set, but a pattern which has been drifting in and out of my consciousness since it did come out, Vogue 1165.  Recently I saw a photo of a friend wearing this top, and it reminded me of a shirt from Chico's that another friend had purchased in the spring, a shirt I am constantly admiring.  Somehow the similarity of the purchased shirt to the pattern didn't occur to me before.  The three-quarter sleeve version would be a summer staple.

 Next up is a new pattern, Vogue 1194, a dress by DKNY.  I love almost everything about this dress.  I love the gathers at the shoulders which allow for fullness toward the bust, I love the v-neckline and the empire line in front which is a very flattering look for me, especially with the curved waist seaming leading to a lower curved line at the back waist.  I can see this as a dress, slightly longer for me, or as a tunic at a slightly shorter length to wear with jeans.  In fact, given how much I adore wearing the aforementioned elm dress with leggings, this dress, in the right fabric might be fabulous with leggings as well.

 It seems that every time I order a bunch of patterns they seem to have a common theme except for one that sticks out and apparently has nothing in common with the others.  In this batch it is Vogue 1199 by Rebecca Taylor.  Although I love the skirt in this pattern, I did not buy it for the skirt.  I have lots of pencil skirt patterns and this is nothing new.  The blouse is what I wanted and that is why I say it seems incongruous compared to the rest of the set as this blouse is definitely soft, flirty, feminine, and ruffly, not words I would usually use to describe myself but definitely things I am attracted to at times.  I would wear it tucked in with a pencil skirt as shown on the model, perhaps with ankle boots, perhaps just with pumps.  I have long adored a statement blouse paired with otherwise very simple clothes and when the blouse is soft and romantic like this I like it best paired with a very structured skirt or pants.  Certainly if I were wearing it loose, which I well may, I would go for a contrast in texture and feel, probably pairing it with narrow jeans and a strong shoe.

 The fifth pattern, and my stopping point for today, is  Vogue 1201, a Donna Karan design.  I purchased this for the jacket with its large shawl collar and waistline seam creating a modified peplum effect.   Raglan sleeves are often problematic for me, but they are effectively hidden by the collar in this case so may prove to be no problem at all.

 I also do like the pants.  I love this slouchy style as it has been shown on the runway, and therefore like the pants in theory although I really have no idea how they will look on me since I have found nothing like them on my few forays into local stores.  Truthfully, I have doubts, and if I hadn't wanted the jacket I probably would not have bought the pattern just for the pants. But now that I have it, I may just have to play with creating a pair just for the fun of it.  The worst that can happen is I get a shock, a laugh, and a wadder.