Hi, I spent some time looking at Big Four 2018 spring patterns – Vogue, Butterick, McCall’s and Simplicity. They were the pattern companies I grew up with. (Last fall I blogged about a few patterns from Simplicity and Vogue, which you can read here.)
My mom mostly bought patterns from Butterick, McCalls and Simplicity from Jo-Ann – back when the chain only sold fabric and it was known as Jo-Ann Fabrics. She made clothes for me and my three sisters when we were growing up.
I don’t recall her ever buying any Vogue patterns. I’m not sure why she didn’t buy Vogue but it’s most likely because those patterns were more expensive and some are complicated to sew. She mostly sewed by following the pictures in the instructions. English is her second language so she didn’t bother reading the instructions.
Here are a few of the spring patterns that caught my eye.
Big four 2018 Spring Patterns
They are listed in no particular order.
Vogue
I love stripes so this shirt (V9299) grabbed my attention for its fun use of stripes. Plus I like the waist-defining belt. I don’t know about the puffiness of the lower part of the sleeve but that could certainly be toned down.
The pattern has many variations in length and sleeve styles. You could lengthen it to make a shirt dress.
This Vintage Vogue reissue (V9295) is from the 1940s. I love the neckline, which has front tucks.
Look at those tucks and lovely neckline!
The pattern envelope says the suggested fabrics are: sheer cottons, lace, crepe de chine, burnout velvet and rayon challis. You need lightweight fabrics because of all the tucks, which are also in the short-sleeve version.
Here’s one of Sandra Betzina’s latest patterns. It’s described as a pants pattern. This is version A, which is described as having “wide straps give jumper effect.”
Sandra designs for ease of wear so I’m sure you can easily take down the straps so you can go to the bathroom. I like jumpsuits but I’m usually reluctant to make them because you have to get half undressed to go to the bathroom. And you need to be careful that the top part doesn’t drag on the floor, especially in a public restroom.
If you ever have an opportunity to hear Sandra speak, take it. She has great sewing tips and delivers them with a great sense of humor. Plus she has such a warm personality. I heard her speak at Cañada College last spring at their annual Artistry in Fashion event. I also got a copy of the latest edition of her indispensable fabric guide – All New Fabric Savvy (affiliate link here).
Simplicity
I like the paper-bag waist on pants and skirts. These pants look fun and easy to make. Plus the pattern (8605) includes a skirt! I’ve been wanting to make a casual paper-bag skirt.
I’ve tied RTW shirts that buttoned in the front. I like that look. This Simplicity pattern (8601) for woven fabrics gives you the option of just letting the front piece hang down or tying it in a knot. I like the striped version.
One thing that really jumped out for me as I perused Simplicity’s offerings is that there is a lot of diversity among its models. For example, this vintage 1950s reissue (8592) features a plus-size model and an African-American model. There are two size ranges – 10-18 and 20W-28W. Kudos to Simplicity for making such a wide range of sizes available.
New Look is part of the Simplicity group of patterns and this flight jacket pattern (6545) jumped out at me because it features an Asian model and it’s a fun pattern.
McCall’s
I like the pleats in this McCall’s dress designed by Phoebe Couture. I initially saw it as a top and a skirt but it’s a dress. I think you could add a waistband and just make a skirt from this pattern.
This is a pattern for a costume (M7733) but I’d just wear it as a regular jacket.
Butterick
The drawstring detail on this Butterick dress is nice (B6552).
I’m not thrilled by the color-blocked version of this pattern (B6567) that the model is wearing but I do like the lines, which you can see in version B, which has longer sleeves. You could shorten it to make it more of a tunic or lengthen it to midi-length, which is my favorite skirt length.
This pattern (B6556) by Gertie has a lovely square neckline.
And that’s the end of my roundup. Have you seen any new Big Four 2018 spring patterns that you like?
On the vogue patterns at JoAnn’s you can buy them on the website when they have their sales ,just join the mailing list. I never buy a pattern for full price . I buy a lot if simplicity & McCalls and I never pay more than $2.
Fashion tip: regarding the Betzina pattern (or any jumpsuit pattern) when you are in the bathroom, face the commode when you lower the sleeves (or straps). Most people will put the straps behind them. If you face the commode, you the strap will fall against the door and you can hold them out of the way when you turn around. If you lower the straps while facing the door, there is a strong chance that something will land in the toilet. 🙁
Good advice, Rose! I never thought about the direction you face when lowering the sleeves/straps. Thank you!
Your right about Vogue Patterns, we hardly ever used them back in the 80’s! Double the price with high failure rates due to them being overly complicated with poor quality instructions.
They are sold as a designer pattern not your every day designs. Something you might wear to a wedding or something special like that.
All these years later I hardly ever use them. I have noticed though that they are more mainstream than they used to be. May be I should try…
Over the past few years, I’ve sewn some Vogue patterns and had success with them. There are a few everyday designs mixed in with the designer patterns.
If you’re in the U.S., check out Jo-Ann’s pattern sales where they sell Vogue patterns for $4 or $5 each.
Hi – I am in Australia. Vogue occasionally very occasionally come on sale never at $4 or $5 though
Oh, yes, outside the US, prices are much higher. Here, it’s only at Jo-Ann’s where you can get that price, and the sale only occurs a few times a year.