Thursday, June 14, 2012

Burdastyle Magazine 07/2012

My growing disappointment with Burda went up quite a bit after seeing the preview of this month. Allow me to demonstrate:
Really? You call this a pattern?
What's even worse, is that there are two more patterns just like this one, consisting in two squares and a sash.

Wow, a keyhole right THERE? So very classy!
When I first saw these pants, I imagined them being on the catwalk of Project Runway with Michael Kors commenting on them. It was hilarious in my head.

Maybe not everyone agrees with me, but I find these three dresses truly hideous. They all have very weird proportions (especially the first one) and they all look like Franken-dresses, too busy and over-designed. I also wonder how they could look flattering on anyone.

Ok, now that the WTF show is over, I found a few interesting patterns as well, to be fair.

Firstly, two effortless tops with a gathered neckline. I especially like the capped sleeves of the second one and the contrasting trim of the first one. Also, that pink fabric is adorable.

A very cute dress that doesn't necessairly scream "summer" to me, but it would be perfect for weddings and formal events. The sleeves look very interesting.

A super flattering retro knit top that, unfortunately for me, is for plus-sizes only. Sigh. I'd say this pattern might be worth grading the pattern (or trying to recreate it with a basic block.)

 
Finally, the most adorable sailor-inspired baby outfits I've ever seen. I have been very inspired by nautical style lately (I still have this dress in my mind), so I'd love a grown-up version of these two.
How cute are they?

37 comments:

  1. That is the reason why I never buy Burda (I can have a look in the library), it was good 20 or 30 years ago, when my mother used it, but now, nothing really interesting ... saluti Anja

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  2. Wow, those trousers and franken-dresses really are hideous. Maybe they let the work experience girl have a go designing some patterns? :)

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    1. I always imagine scenarios like that, like when around Easter they released a hiddy issue and I thought they were all drunk after the Holidays.

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  3. I did not buy the june edition, and by the look of these sorry examples, I might not be buying this one as well. What a shame. I used to trace my mother's patterns for her when I was younger, and they used to have proper patterns then.

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  4. Loved the May one, and it was my first Burda purchase. My 2nd purchase looks a long, long, way away.

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    1. You never know with Burda... Maybe the next issue will be the best yet. I haven't lost all hope on them! Also, it's a matter of taste: sometimes I complain about an issue and many people find it great!

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  5. Ouch. Those trousers are true clangers. Keyhole near crotch, it would be a brave woman who wore these!! I suppose there's no accounting for taste!

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    1. Even if the keyhole is near the belly button, they're definitely TOO MUCH.

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  6. I'm going to stick up for Burda a little here. The scarf top is just reflecting what is in shops at the moment. OK, it's simplistic but they have to cater for all abilities. The second the the dresses is an almost exact copy of a dress from Prada Spring 2012 season - I'm assuming the others are designer knock-off as well.
    However the trousers are hideous.

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    1. The scarf top is something I'd expect more in Burda Easy Fashion, or as a photo tutorial on their site... Furthermore, there are three "patterns" that are just the same.
      I haven't seen the Prada collection, so thanks for pointing that out :)

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  7. i think the dresses win the ugly award this time! And the little scarf top - while I think its cute and I might wear it - really doesn't require a pattern, you're right. It just seems really lazy! Come on Burda! Give us some proper patterns! We're not idiots!

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    1. My point exactly. The skill level is costantly going down...

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  8. Sheesh! I wish Burda would get the message that a saggy, baggy, rectangular dress isn't what most people want to sew (and surely not 4 patterns like that in the same magazine!). Yuck!

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  9. They do somehow get away with it by making the square shapeless patterns in beautiful expensive fabrics and putting them on pencil thin models; let's face it; only a model would look good in those shapes.

    I've noticed they do this a lot, but I'm wise to them now!! lol. At least they always have a few good patterns to make up for it :)

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    1. Yes, the plus size is that usually anyone can find at least one or two that justify the price of the magazine.

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  10. Hahaha those first few patterns are so bad it's kind of hilarious..

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  11. d'accordissimo con te! assurdi quei modelli che tirano fuori dall'epoca preistorica.
    invece mi piace tanto la camicetta rosa!

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  12. Very pretty tops, Ive been looking for some casual blouses for awhile

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  13. There are quite a few not so pretty (to put it nicely) patterns, but I like the summery blouses (especially with the cute dragonfly print), the "vintage" dress and I'll definitely grade the plus size wrap shirt you showed! And the baby clothes are so cuteeeeee <3

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  14. I have to agree with you on the first WTF patterns... Why Burday, Why? Those dresses are truly strange and disproportionate. The only one that could be ok is the right-most one without the color blocking, I suppose it would be more normal. However, they have those 20s shapes that I think would look awful on myself, with no waist definition or any shape at all for that matter!
    I think I'll pass on this issue!
    Thanks for the quick look/review!

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  15. Those pants are just whoa. I don't know how anyone could wear them....I know that not every woman wears a bra, but I'm pretty sure most of us go for at least wear SOME form of underwear! As for that square top, I could pretty easily figure that out on my own. And I just might, since I have a dress from Etsy that is basically two scarves sewn together and it is not working for me as is.

    That knit top IS pretty cute, though. I might try to figure out something similar sometime--it looks like a great pattern for a solid. (Those need the interest, IMO.)

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  16. I'm usually not too critical of BSM, but this is the worst issue since I started subscribing about 2 years ago. The dresses are truly awful. The scarf projects remind me of old how-to articles in teen fashion magazines. Pretty bad.
    Jen

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  17. Hilarious. I think they're aiming for the straight-drape 20s and 30s styles but without the gorgeous handwork + actual living human beings with that silhouette it's a bit of a fail really.. Also apart from the two ties top I don't see anything here that they haven't done before, in fact they've released tops (and certainly Knipmode has) that can be modified into that two ties top pretty easy... Oh for the days of burda world of fashion and wearable, chic structured styles..

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  18. anna, you made me chuckle about the pants with the key hole! it's classy isnt' it :P i too can see michael kors making some funny comments about that on project runway..

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  19. I also want to add: Maybe they're adding those easy no-brainer patterns, because DIY is getting more and more "popular" and they want to appeal to people who start buying burda magazine because it's "in" right now, but can't actually sew a straight line... I used to think that burda's easy fashion magazine was for beginners and the "real" burda magazine was for more advanced sewers (ugh, I'm cringing at the word :D). Seems like times have changed and now they rely on the advanced sewers to buy the magazine out of habit or because there is maybe one pattern they like and target it more towards the beginners...
    I hope that paragraph makes sense because 5 in the morning is not the time for me to think about complex stuff :D

    P.S. And I might just make pajamas pants from that pattern, maybe in a warm fleece fabric with a children's print to contrast the slutty hole? ;)

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    1. I really don't understand what they're target buyers are... My impression is they try to please anyone, young and more mature, beginners and advanced sewers, but the result is often a mess. For me, the worst part is the lack of class and taste (see pants with keyhole). I'd really like them to choose a more specific audience and to be more consistent with it...
      p.s. Please don't make those pants... Spare the fabric!

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  20. Dear oh dear! Not sure who Burda are trying to target with this! I am a beginner, however even most beginners have taste and would be hoping to make something better than these -:) And as for the keyhole trousers, I can imagine getting some funny looks wearing those in the supermarket! Truly hideous :-)

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  21. Wow- those 3 dresses look like 'select one from column A, 1 from column B' components mashed together. This was the first issue since i let the subscription drop- I guess I'll live.....

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  22. Che schifo. This is why I hardly ever buy Burda any more. I am lucky that I can preview it in the stationer here, and I usually flick straight to the center part where you can see the tech drawings - my aunt, who used them (and Neue Mode) for years taught me to do that.... Honestly, 20 years ago, the scarf top would have been one of thecrafty patterns towards the back of the mag!
    The dresses.... Prada inspired or not - ouch. (and anyway, Prada can often be quite hideous!)
    The pants - OMG.
    It's bad enough the pattern sheets have become more and more crowded and hader to work from. I've gotten spoilt buying PDFs and American patterns with their built in seam allowances - so their pattern sheets are yet another turn off..... Most of the time, La Mia Boutique is a better buy.
    You are so nice to do these previews.

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  23. I think I will not buy this magazine, those patterns are not my style , ;)

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  24. ...Ciao! Passo spesso a trovarti, mi piace lasciarmi ispirare da questo tuo spazio virtuale! Quindi ho pensato a te per un piccolo premio! Se vuoi, fai un salto a ritirarlo! Elettra

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  25. I don't really buy Budra anymore. I find a few good patterns online but the mag. is sad (sorry budra) . I do love the little kiddie clothes. They are darling.

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  26. I see a lot of comments on blogs about how Burda doesn't reflect the tastes of most sewers, and it's true it doesn't! But...Burda isn't made for most sewers, it's made for people who are interested in runway fashion trends mixed with timeless pieces. As a long time Burda subscriber, I know that the fall issues are always the best because they have lovely tailored coats, which are more to my taste, however, the summer editions still have value and often are quite up on the trends of the moment. Burda, it's not for everyone, but I still think that even if there are only two patterns in each issue that I'd actually make it's still a great deal! (I pay about $10 per issue and the fit of these patterns beats everything.) The one downside, Burda does seem to be simplifying things a bit, but then again, arent' the new trends heading that way as well?

    As for the those dresses, I find the first one a little odd - but would love the pleated part as a separate skirt. The second one is fantastic, I love the colours and design and think it would work well all in one colour as well, ditto for the last one.

    People when it comes to Burda in my opinion are expecting way too much, it ain't McCall's and thank god for that.

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  27. I completely agree with you on burda becoming disappointing in recent issues and unfortunately it happened just after I subscribed.
    I used to love the burda mags and find at least four cute things in every issue but these days I am lucky to even find one pattern I like.
    The only thing I was excited about in this issue is the raglan sleeve tops with gathered necklines.

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  28. Ha! Ha! Ha! I hear ya sassytsews.blogspot.com

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