Burda Easy F/W 2012

A little disclaimer before I start this review: I recently realized how rarely I reach for Burda and LMB anymore. My collection of patterns (both commercial and from indie designers) is growing and it appeals to me much more than my magazines. Instructions are FAR better, designs are more interesting and you don't need to lose your eyesight with those super busy pattern sheets. This is why I lost quite a bit of interest in sewing magazines; I'm not at the stage of stopping to buy them altogether yet, but if you sense a lack of enthusiasm in my words, now you know why.

When I started to sew a few years ago, Burda Easy (or Young, depending on how it's called in your country) was a real treat for me. There were super cute designs, very young and fresh, with illustrated instructions. Now, I cannot imagine something like this in one of those issues from 4-5 years ago:

I'm sorry, but this just pisses me off. This is something that anyone could do, without buying a magazine and even without knowing how to sew. It's just lazy.

Fortunately, the rest of the magazine is less tragic:

Apparently, Burda editors like their dropped waistline. As you can see, the dresses above are all variations of the same pattern. It's definitely not my cup of tea: the skirt part of the first dress looks ridiculous, and I find that this silhouette is just unflattering on anyone. You might think I like the third dress, but a peter pan collar is not enough to fool me. Not to mention that those two huge pockets so close together look incredibly cheap to me.

Another variation of the previous pattern (seriously, lazy much?), but at least this time it's a cute, basic top that reminds me of the Pendrell blouse. The skirt is a pattern as well, but it's as basic as it gets.

And speaking of basics, this skirt seems like a perfect project for a beginner.
The top, I hate. Sorry, I just can't stand all those unnecessary seams.

There are a couple cute coats in this issue, although once again they're not exactly my taste. I love the fabric choice and the contrast trim, but the non existent waist + the ruffle-y bottom is not for everyone, definitely not me.

This is the only actual pattern that attracts me in this issue. I don't know why, I don't even know how I would wear it... Do you have any suggestions for me?

In conclusion, I'd say that this issue could be a nice purchase for a beginner who still doesn't have a big pattern library, or for someone who likes dresses with a dropped waist. Here in Italy, it retails for 5,90 euros, which is more than the "regular" Burdastyle magazine and, IMHO, a lot for the number of patterns it contains. What are your thoughts?

I hope I wasn't too sour for anyone, but I like to be honest on my blog.