Burdastyle Magazine 05/2014

I'm so very late with this review, so let's get started immediately, because I know you were holding your breath for it, right? Right?

Let's start on a positive note, with the patterns I liked in this issue.
This dress is the first one: very simple and casual, but I really like the smocked middle section (comfy!) and it reminds a lot of a dress from a Gertie's workshop on Creativebug that I've wanted to make since last summer. Cute.

Simple, feminine, flattering. Great!

This more elaborate variation is for those who love a more modern look, and it's equally beautiful.

 I really, really love this blouse! Again, it's simple and casual, but so cute!

Love the smock, again! It looks great with the striped fabric.
The vest is not my cup of tea, but it's interesting.

Lots of potential in these two patterns. They're definitely not my cup of tea (too much decolletage), but I'm sure a lot of you will love them and will make great things with them.

 Eesh. Too complicated and bulky. Also, I hate how it was styled. Hard pass.

Too fussy for me, but as a couple patterns above, I'm sure many of you will make wonderful things with this one.

And the same goes for this one. I'm not a fan of draped/cowl necklines, but they're definitely flattering.

Had to include some WTF-ery, hadn't I?
The first outfit is completely crazy, IMHO, and in the second one the pants could be fine (although that photo kills them) and the top is out of the "rectangle collection by Burda". You know, one of those patterns that really pisses me off.

 

And finally, plus sizes!
There are some gems for the plus-sized ladies in this issue, especially the first dress! Very flattering, and the fabric they chose is just perfect.

That's it for this month!
This issue has a couple interesting things, but is it worth buying? What do you guys think?

The "Roisin Getting Married" dress

Pattern: Emery dress by Christine Haynes (purchased here).

Size: 6

Alterations: did a 1,5cm FBA following this brilliant tutorial; used the skirt of Deer and Doe's Sureau dress; moved the zipper to the side; lengthened the sleeves by about 3cm.

Fabric: a fantastic Liberty for Dsquared cotton batiste (made in Italy!) purchased via my sponsor Supercut.

Did I ever tell you I'm a HUGE procrastinator?

Well, I really, really am. So it's no big surprise that my entry for #SewDollyClackett (hosted by Rhinestone and Telephones) is going live a few hours before the deadline, even though I've known for two months that I wanted to take part!

Roisin has always been such an inspiration to me, so of course I wanted to pay tribute to her and make her a little virtual wedding present :D

I knew since the beginning that I wanted to use the Emery dress pattern (already sewn up once here), one of Roisin's favorites, but I wasn't sure about the fabric.

I needed a cute print for sure, so when Supercut got this unusual Liberty cotton in stock, I just knew it was perfect!

By the way, if you want it, go and get it now, because it's available in a very limited quantity. This stuff is pricey, but totally worth the price.

The fabric was quite lightweight though, so I lined the whole dress in white cotton batiste, which worked perfectly.

The dress came together pretty quickly, as I had already made all the fit alterations I needed back in November and didn't need to look at the instructions. For this version, I moved the zipper to the side because I hate the contortions that back zippers require, and I used the skirt of the Sureau dress because I wanted less volume than the original, but I'm not entirely happy with this choice. I think the original skirt of the Emery just gives a better visual effect overall, more harmonious.

I really wanted to take better photos for this little dress, at least posing in front of my house door, Roisin's style, but with so little time I had to compromise. I also wanted to wear a pair of kickass pumps, which are one of her trademarks, but I simply don't own any! I tried to compensate with my favorite (and most only expensive ones) peep-toes that I own.

But, hey, at least I'm grinning! It only took three years of blogging to post a smiling pictures of myself. I never, ever grin in photos for two reasons: first of all, I'm not a good actress, so laughing alone in front of the camera comes out forced and looks fake, and secondly... it's silly (and I swear I'm not fishing for compliments) but I don't like my smile!

But now I have two photos of me grinning that I like, which are also evidence that I'm not always so serious :D

So, did you guys took part in Sew Dolly Clackett? Which are your favorite projects?

I'm running to the Flickr group to finally spy what everyone else has been making, you should too!

Modello: abito Emery di Christine Haynes (acquistato qui).

Taglia: 6

Modifiche: FBA di 1,5 cm fatto seguendo questo fantastico tutorial; ho usato la gonna dell'abito Sureau di Deer and Doe; ho spostato la lampo sul fianco e allungato le maniche di circa 3 cm.

Tessuto: una fantastica batista di cotone Liberty per Dsquared (made in Italy!) acquistata dal mio sponsor Supercut.

Vi ho mai detto che sono una procrastinatrice tremenda?

Beh, lo sono eccome, perciò non c'è da stupirsi se la mia partecipazione al #SewDollyClackett (organizzato da Rhinestone and Telephones) viene pubblicata a poche ore dalla scadenza, nonostante sapessi fin da febbraio di voler partecipare!

Roisin è sempre stata un'ispirazione enorme per me, perciò è ovvio che volessi offrirle un tributo e un piccolo pensiero a mò di regalo di nozze virtuale :D 

Sapevo din dall'inizio di voler usare il modello Emery di Christine Haynes (già cucito una volta qui), uno dei preferiti di Roisin, ma non ero sicura sul tessuto.

Ovviamente mi serviva una stampa carina e originale, perciò quando Supercut ha annunciato di avere in stock questo inusuale cotone Liberty, ho capito che era perfetto! Tra l'altro se ne volete un po' per voi, affrettatevi, perché è disponibile in quantità limitatissime! E' costoso, ma ne vale assolutamente la pena.

E' piuttosto leggero, perciò ho foderato tutto l'abito con della batista di cotone bianca, ed è andata alla perfezione.

L'abito è stato cucito abbastanza velocemente, poichè avevo già fatto tutte le modifiche necessarie a dicembre e non avevo bisogno di guardare le istruzioni. Per questa versione, ho spostato la lampo sul fianco, perchè odio le contorsioni cui mi constringono le lampo sul centro dietro, ed ho utilizzato la gonna dell'abito Sureau perché volevo meno volume dell'originale, ma non sono interamente soddisfatta della scelta. La gonna originale del modello è più proporzionata, armoniosa... sta meglio!

Avrei davvero voluto scattare delle foto migliori per questo abito, quantomeno davanti alla porta di casa, in stile Roisin, ma con così poco tempo a disposizione ho dovuto fare dei compromessi. Volevo anche mettere delle scarpe fighe come quelle che porta sempre lei, ma non ne ho! Ho cercato di compensare coi miei sandali preferiti (nonché sono anche i più gli unici costosi!) che possiedo. 

Ma, ehi, almeno sorrido in queste foto! Mi ci sono solo voluti 3 anni per mostrare il mio sorriso sul blog. Non rido mai in foto per due motivi: prima di tutto non sono una brava attrice, e se rido da sola davanti alla macchina fotografica l'effetto è finto e forzato; e in secondo luogo... so che è stupido, ma non mi piace il mio sorriso in foto (troppa gengiva...)!

Almeno adesso ho due foto in cui rido che mi piacciono, che servono anche da prova del fatto che non sono sempre così seria :D 

E voi avete partecipato al Sew Dolly Clackett? Quali sono I vostri progetti preferiti?

Io ora scappo a guardarmi il gruppo Flickr del progetto per curiosare finalmente cosa hanno cucito tutte quante... Lo consiglio anche a voi! 

Minerva Blogger Network: Scout tee

Pattern: Scout Woven Tee by Grainline Studio
Size: size 4
Alterations: a 1,5cm FBA; I altered the back as explained under here.
Fabric: a navy polycotton with flowers from Minerva Crafts.

After a couple of disastrous projects for the Minerva Blogger Network (one turned out so ugly I didn't even show it, the other one needed some major editing), I needed to make something very simple and fast. Some instant gratification for my ego.

Enter the Scout Tee by Grainline! This loose fitting top needs very little fabric, no extra notions and very little time from cutting to finish. Not to mention, like all of Jen's patterns, it's masterfully drafted and has great instructions.

So I just picked one of my favorite prints from the polycotton section, of Minerva a tiny floral print on a dark blue background (although I regret not going with polka dots!) and I was well on my way. I cut a size 4 and did a 1,5 cm FBA.

But I couldn't just leave this pattern alone! I decided to add a split back for added interest and I used this tutorial. The split ended up being a little too deep for my personal taste (my bra would show when I would lean forward), so I ended up sewing the split down to the point where the panels meet. If you are going to attempt this yourself, I would recommend starting the slit at the armholes instead (like Dixie DIY does here).

And voila! I know have a cute new casual top for warmer weather! If you too are in the mood some instant gratification, here you can find the kit to make this tee.

In other news related to Minerva Crafts, did you hear about their AWESOME meet up in June? I'm extremely sorry to say I won't be able to attend (I work weekends), but you can read all about it here.

Modello: Scout Woven Tee di Grainline Studio
Taglia: taglia 4
Modifiche: FBA di 1,5cm; ho modificato il retro come spiegato sotto.
Tessuto: un misto cotone blu con fiorellini di Minerva Crafts.

Dopo un paio di progetti disastrosi per il Minerva Blogger Network (uno così brutto che mi sono rifiutata di bloggarlo, l'altro ha avuto bisogno di grosse modifiche per diventare portabile), avevo bisogno di fare qualcosa di veloce e semplice. Il mio ego necessitava un po' di gratificazione immediata.

Ed ecco arrivare la Scout Tee di Grainline! Questo top ampio richiede poco tessuto, zero merceria e poco tempo da quando lo si taglia a quando lo si indossa. E come tutti i modelli di Jen, è disegnato benissimo ed ha delle ottime istruzioni.

Perciò ho semplicemente scelto una delle mie fantasie preferite dalla sezione del misto cotone di Minerva, un blu scuro con fiorellini bianchi (anche se mi pento molto di non essere andata con dei pois!) ed ero già sulla buona strada. Ho tracopiato una taglia 4 e ho fatto un FBA di 1,5 cm.

Ma non potevo lasciare questo modello così com'era! Ho deciso di aggiungere un'apertura sulla schiena per aggiungere un po' di interesse usando questo tutorial.
L'apertura era un po' troppo profonda per i miei gusti (piegandomi in avanti, si vedeva il reggiseno), perciò ho cucito i margini insieme fino al punto in cui le due parti si incontrano.
Se volete fare anche voi una modifica simile, vi consiglierei di far partire l'apertura dalle ascelle (come fa Dixie DIY qui).

E voila! Ora ho un nuovo top casual per la stagione bella!
Se anche voi siete dell'umore per un po' di gratificazione istantanea, qui potete trovare il mio kit per fare questo top.

Burda Easy SS 2014

I haven't been a big fan of this biannual special issue of Burda in the last couple of years because the tendency to dumb patterns down that we noticed in regular Burda is even more evident here.

Moreover, this magazine costs more than the monthly version but offers way less patterns. In this issue in particular, while I was looking at the preview, I felt like there were very few patterns repeated a lot of times, and they basically didn't even bother with variations. On the upside, Burda Easy usually has slightly better instructions and the patterns are easier to trace.

Let's see, shall we?

 

This dress pattern with a sweetheart neckline is actually adorable! I really like all the variations included and the skirt is a decent dupe for the Kelly skirt pattern by Megan Nielsen.
That ruffly thing they added to the first dress, though, symbolizes everything I don't like about Burda.

This, I also really really like. Bomber jackets seem to be really in fashion right now, and if you're looking for a simpler version of the Rigel bomber by Papercut, this might be a good option.

This top/skirt combo is repeated, as is, at least three times in this issue, and I don't really see the need for it. This is not my cup of tea at all, but I guess it would look cute on a younger/thinner girl. Not setting my world on fire, though.

I personally think jumpsuits can be extremely stylish when done and styled right, and worn by the right girl, but this just looks like the thing my dad wears when he's working in the garage. No, thanks.

 This is slightly better, but I don't like the double tie. A regular belt might look better with this one.

Meh. The jacket (blouse?) is cute but boxy and the skirt is definitely not my style at all, but it's not bad.

Uh... no. I'm a huge fan of pinafores and dungarees, but I just don't like this. The shiny fabric is not helping.

Meh again. I'm not a romper kinda girl, so I don't know. I like the zipper in the front (feels practical), but the bodice seems pretty boxy.

What do you think, guys?
There's some good and less good, but is it worth buying?
I'll definitely pass as none of these patterns add something to my (already too big) collection. What about you?

[Please don't ask me if this magazine is available in your country, I don't know! That's a question you should ask to whoever distributes Burda where you live]

Inspiration: Lazzari SS 2014

Guys at Lazzari, if you're reading this: please hire me!
Can you imagine making these beauties for a living? Ah, a girl can dream!
In the meantime, let's salivate on these gorgeous designs together...

Source