The downside (or upside?) is that I'll need to learn to grade up patterns at some stage. I've seen some online tutorials on this, but I won't be throwing myself at it anytime soon. I still find hemming a challenge, slipstitch makes no sense and fitting is a mystery. But I love the idea of making all of these patterns up, so one day I'll work out how to grade up. Until then I'm pointing myself at the easier patterns in my size. On to the pattern review!
Make: Simplicity 4860
Size: 18
Era: The pattern envelope and instructions aren't yielding any clues on this one. I'm guessing early sixties.
Would I have picked it? Yeah, it's cute, very Jackie O.
First thoughts: I could imagine it being a lovely work dress. I LOVE the buttons on the second view.
#2
Make: Butterick 5549
Size: 14
Era: mid to late 70s?
Would I have picked it? No, probably not. Not a huge fan of the seventies, and its a bit disco for me.
First thoughts: Although I wouldn't have picked it, I think short dress with sleeves has potential. And the long dress no sleeves, could be gorgeous in a lovely floaty fabric. I am not feeling the trouser suit combo.
#3
Make: Simplicity 3597
Size: 18
Era: late 60s?
Would I have picked it? No. Bit frumpy. Bit Maggie Thatcher.
First thoughts: Not feeling this one, can't yet imagine beyond the illustrations.
#4
Make: Simplicity 6434
Size: 16
Era: late 60s?
Would I have picked it? Yes, although that is solely based on the back view and the bows (I love the bows!)
First thoughts: Did I mention that I think the bows are awesome? I love a low back on a dress, I think it is a subtle kind of sexy. Some concerns about how the front will look. I don't think I have a strong enough jawline to carry off a high neck.
#5
Make: Style 2442
Size: 14
Era: 70s?
Would I have bought it? No. This is partly a reflection on the pattern (the jacket cover-up would not look out of place on Buck Rogers) and partly because I do not have the body for the cute bikini combos.
First thoughts? Maybe. After a lot of exercise.
#6
Make: Butterick 2973
Size: 16
Era: mid 60s?
Would I have bought it? No, I think I've seen nicer versions out there
First thoughts: I think this will make up better than it looks, done well it could be quite Hitchcockian. I like the blouse, but mostly because it has a bow at the front and buttons down the back (I'm a sucker for buttons).
Difficulty: medium / hard
#7
Style: Simplicity 8002
Size: 14 1/2
Era: mid 60s?
Would I have bought it? Probably not, its a bit 'meh'
First thoughts: I'm reserving judgement until the make. The right fabric could render this stunning. On paper its a bit flat.
#8
Style: Simplicity 7715
Era: late 70s?
Size: 14
Would I have bought it? Yes, even though the photo is asking me not to.
First thoughts: I'm as much a sucker for thrills as I am for buttons. The long sleeve no thrill version is also cute, it makes me think of The Avengers and Roger Moore-era Bond girls.
Difficulty: Easy / Medium
Style: Butterick 2353
Era: mid 60s
Size: 42 (not sure how this translates to regular sizing)
Would I have bought it? Maybe, I tend to go for dresses. But I think this is a nice suit.
First thoughts: It's not first on my list, partly because I'm too excited by other projects and partly because jackets scare me.
Difficulty: Medium / Hard
#10
Style: Simplicity 5908
Era: early 60s?
Would I have bought it: Yes.
Size: 18
First thoughts: These sort of dresses were popular huh? Even so, I like the shoulder rouche, and I think it has a bit of a 1940s vibe. I quite like how prim and proper it is, I could imagine Betty Draper wearing this.
Difficulty: Medium
Style: Simplicity 6461
Era: mid 60s?
Size: 14
Would I have bought it: No - it doesn't grab me.
First thoughts: With further reflections I quite like the jackets. Although I would normally shy away from boxy jackets I think these have real potential in some sort of brocade?
Difficulty: Medium / Hard
#12
Style: Blackmore
Era: mid 60s?
Size: 18
Would I have bought it? No. Just no.
First thoughts: The illustration hurts my eyes. The colours! The frump! This dress is frumpy, mcfrumpy frump. I'm finding it difficult to find any love for this pattern. And I've had two cocktails. Two strong cocktails. When I come to make this I will name it Frumpenstein.
Era: mid 60s
Size: 16
Would I have bought it? No. Not that it isn't pretty it jut doesn't inspire me overly
First thoughts: An average dress, no strong feelings one way or the other.
Difficulty: Easy
#14
Style: Butterick 5679
Era: late 60s
Size: 14 1/2
Would I have bought it? Hell no!
First thoughts: Perhaps this isn't is a frightful as it appears. The illustration is pretty horrific, but maybe there is a nice dress lurking in there. I can't see it yet. Reminds me of my primary school uniform for some reason.
Difficulty: Medium
#15
Style: Butterick 4141
Era: Mid 60s
Size: 18
Would I have bought it? Maybe, the illustrations are cute.
First thoughts: This is a cute twinset, but I worry its too boxy for my pear shaped figure.
Difficulty: medium / hard
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