Hello, lover: Spring 2012 Simplicity Patterns!

Oh, oh, friends. Have you seen the new Simplicity patterns yet? There were squeals at Chez Mary tonight, when I ran across them. They are fantastic. Let's discuss some of the highlights, shall we?

First off there are two new Cynthia Rowley patterns, both lovely. It's odd, because I don't normally enjoy Rowley's runway designs, but her patterns are consistently among my favorites. These two are no exception.

 

 

Simplicity 1872, Cynthia Rowley:  A tiered design, two dress variations or a blouse, made up in soft, floaty fabrics like georgette, voile, or challis. Isn't this just lovely? I have a bright, floral silk georgette that will be ideal for this flirty little dress. Also...it's a pullover design. Hooray for no closures! I can't wait to make this one up. 

Simplicity 1873, Cynthia Rowley: Dress with box-pleated skirt, in two lengths with a cap sleeve option, paired with a capelet blazer. Cynthia, darling, you just invaded my wishlist for this one, didn't you? I have been dying for a proper box-pleated pattern. Just when I was wrapping my mind around drafting one, you come to the rescue. I can't wait to make this dress, in all three iterations.

Next up is the surprise of these spring patterns...a new designer! Leanne Marshall, the much beloved winner of Project Runway Season 5, has her own Simplicity line! She starts off with a bang, thanks to two cute, modern patterns aimed at the ever-growing number of young sewers. 

Simplicity 1876, Leanne Marshall: A fun, flirty dress with a halter or strapless bodice and a tiered skirt option. Okay, this is one of those patterns that I love, but would never wear myself. I can totally see someone like the lovely Julia Bobbin wearing the hell out of the tiered version of this, however. It is so, so cute! I just like sleeves on my dresses, so it's out of my realm.

Simplicity 1877, Leanne Marshall: Two dresses, both with kimono sleeves and v-necklines, with ruffled and a-line skirt variations. Okay, I'm in love with this one. Sure, those ruffles would make my hips look even wider, but I love them. They're so joyful! I will definitely be buying this one, if only to make the equally lovely a-line version. Kimono sleeves are one of my sewing true loves.

There are also two new Lisette patterns in this batch, neither of which I'm too crazy about. The fabrics are, as always, lovely but very similar to the line we saw last spring. The patterns themselves seem tailor-made to showcase these fabrics, rather than the female form, which I find often happens with designers who dip into both aspects of sewing.

 Simplicity 1878, Lisette: An empire-waist a-line dress, in three lengths. If you've been dying for an April Cornell-reminiscent maxi dress, you're in luck! Not going to lie, this design just feels a bit dated to me. It's not something I would pick off a rack in stores, personally, so I'm certainly not going to sew it. With the right fabrics, however, I could probably be proved wrong.

Simplicity 1879, Lisette: Three-quarter sleeved dress and top, with a pair of cuffed shorts. Of the two Lisette patterns, this is definitely my favorite. The dress is something I haven't seen elsewhere, which on the right body type could prove super adorable. The top is simple, but chic, and those shorts are divine. There just aren't enough modern-cut shorts patterns. I don't plan on sewing any shorts this season, but if I did, you can bet I'd use this pattern!

Finally, we have a couple of new Project Runway patterns, one of which might be the shirt-dress to rule over all other shirt-dresses. Are you ready for this loveliness?

Simplicity 1880, Project Runway: Shirt-dress and faux-wrap dress, with cap, puffed, and three-quarter sleeve options. Okay, Simplicity, you can call this line "Project Runway" inspired all you want, but I know your real inspiration. That yellow crepe pattern photo says it all. This, my friends, is the Duchess Catherine pattern line. Just like last year's 2145, this is straight from Kate's closet.

Looks familiar, doesn't it? This has been a favorite on my Pinterest boards. Now, armed with a little yellow silk crepe and Simplicity 1880, this dress can be mine! 

So, what do you think of the new Simplicity patterns? Any that you're dying to try? The releases are pretty extensive this time around, so I've only highlighted my favorites, but there are some other diamonds to be found I'm sure. My spring sewing is certainly filling up fast, thanks to these lovely new designs!

Update 2-18-12: The lovely Montana, of Sew*Seam-Rip*Repeat, alerted me to exciting news: JoAnn Fabrics is having a 5 for $5 Simplicity sale for President's Day Weekend. My local shop, amazingly, even had the new patterns in stock. I came home with an embarrassing number of them this afternoon. Hopefully, you will have just as much pattern luck!