Laura Nash Designs for Simplicity
In 2014, Simplicity appointed Laura Nash as a “special collections” designer. Her first pattern appeared in the Fall 2015 catalog. Because of their formal style, Laura’s designs typically featured in the “early” Autumn, Autumn, or Winter catalogs—times when customers prepared for the holiday season. Simplicity featured two out of the six styles on the catalog cover and projected them to be best sellers. The company included every pattern in the new release section at the top of the pattern cabinets, effectively doubling the available stock. To track sales, each pattern comes printed with a seasonal number to distinguish it from those already stored in the cabinet.
“In 2016, CSS acquired the McCall’s Company, which included Butterick and Vogue Patterns. The following year, in 2017, CSS also purchased Simplicity Creative Group Industries. With this expanded market presence, Simplicity’s contract terms changed. Laura’s final pattern for Simplicity was published in 2018. Although only two remain in print, all of her patterns are still available through Simplicity, aftermarket sellers, or as Sew Chic re-issues.
Simplicity patterns are sized according to their own chart. Many of these designs also have Sew-Alongs available, which are linked here:
#1061 Style Name: Pongo
This style was adapted from an original design featuring a high-low skirt with double layers and a white chiffon overlay with black polka dots. For Simplicity, I simplified the design and used cotton fabric to make it easier to sew.
#8167 Style Name: Southern Belle
This dress is a variation of the Sew Chic Southern Belle #LN8503 published previously. This pattern was to be a 2 view style, but after receiving samples, they decided to drop the 2nd view.
#8259 Style Name: London Coat
Simplicity was first offered this design for the Winter season following the publication of Pongo, the first design. They did not immediately accept it, so I decided to publish it under the Sew Chic brand name. One year later, they requested to publish the pattern.
#8439 Style Name: Taylor
This design is the first and only one also offered in plus sizes, which is why it has two covers. I submitted all patterns ‘true to size,’ but, true to Simplicity tradition, they added additional ease. Unfortunately, mistakes and grading (sizing) errors occurred with this pattern. These issues became especially clear during the development of the sew-along. As the sizes increased, the shape of the bust inset became distorted. To avoid these grading errors, download the hand-corrected pattern and follow the sew-along.
#8691 Style Name: Tia
Luckily, the Tia dress was invented early in the life of my company and the modern vintage trend. Meaning “aunt”, this dress honors a favorite aunt that gave me the bright floral fabric that inspired the design. It has been the most popular Sew Chic style, and has since been copied in one form or another ever since. Craftsy asked me to teach the assembly of this pattern in 2014, and because of the higher distribution, this pattern could be published and sold at a deep discount. The Craftsy class, known as “Sewing Vintage, The Flirty Day Dress” is still available through Craftsy, and the pattern is now sold by Simplicity.
