Friday, June 6, 2014

La Mia Boutique 06/2014

Hello, everyone!
I'm back here on my poor, neglected blog, after a little pause. Life's been a little crazy around here lately, and I'm preparing a post to explain why, hopefully to be published next week. In the meantime, I missed my blog, I missed you guys and I missed reading sewing blogs and being part of the community (my Feedly is about to explode, I have a LOT of catching up to do).

After all this enthusiasm, I'm sorry to say this post is not a particularly exciting one, because the subject at hand is not exactly riveting. This issue of La Mia Boutique is yawn-worthy to say the least, it's not even bad enough to allow me to be the nasty b*tch we all love... Well, I can try.

First of all, let's get the pleasantries out of the way.
I'm really glad they included two flattering one piece swimsuits! These are perfectly season-appropriate and it's a type of pattern you don't find everyday, so it's great to have in your archive.
The first one is particularly cute.

I really like the blouse here, and the skirt is not bad either (although with asymmetric pleats, you can risk that it looks unintentional). I wouldn't have paired them together, though.

 
 
Now, here's one of the problems I have with LMB. Why including three such similar dresses in just one issue? They're all very cute, but can't you dilute them a little more in at least two issues? Don't you think it makes you appreciate them a little less (or am I just too nit-picky)?
They do this from time to time (like when they offered a zillion jackets in this issue). Maybe the regular buyer won't mind too much, but it can be pretty frustrating for the occasional one.

Wow! A convertible dress! HOW ORIGINAL!... says the Internet five years ago.
I mean, this is still a good idea, but there are a million tutorials online on how to make this, why would I spend the time to trace two rectangles and a circle skirt from a busy pattern sheet AND add seam allowance?
Also, of the many many ways to style this dress I've ever seen, this is by far the cheapest one. Come on. And the skirt's hem is crazy uneven.

The top is the definition of overdesigned and the pants of impractical. Look how much the slit opens when the model walks! Hate both of these.

The pants are... ok, I guess, but what's the thing over it? Where would one wear it? And why is the model doing a yoga pose with a clutch in her hand? Uggghhh.

The blouse is pretty cute, but oh my gawd what are those things? Apron pants? WHYYYYY?


Again, pretty cute blouse paired with some hideous pants. When I see people on the street wearing this style of pants I seriously want to slap them in the face and send them to buy a flattering pair of pants. Gaaah, I'll never get why girls do this to themselves. Oh, I didn't include the photo where the model wears these as a romper, but trust me, it was pretty offensive as well.

Next issue will come out in mid July, and to be honest, I'm not really looking forward to it.
I'll see you tomorrow with a new garment to show you!

p.s. If you're interested, there's a big sale going on at Craftsy right now (classes are up to 50% off)!

13 comments:

  1. Hahaha, I love reading your reviews. It is like my thoughts coming from the mouth of someone else. I do actually like that second swimsuit. It could help a small busted gal like me out!
    Can't wait until your next review!

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  2. I love reading your reviews too - I think the long tunic over the pants is a sort of ugly take on a Vietnamese long dress (or Ao-Dai) - they can look beautiful and very flattering.

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  3. Thank you for reviewing LMBs!

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  4. I actually really love that swimsuit up top! Is this a magazine? Wonder if its available in Australia...

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  5. Love those dropped crotch pants, they're seriously comfy for travel and I've been hunting for a set of simple instructions to draft some for my 16yo . Love their take on an Ao-Dai (thanks for the info Deborah), those of us living closer to SE asia probably appreciate these styles more than northern hemisphere sewists I think? They're not really that unusual for us 'downunder'. What I am a bit tired of seeing in blogs is fit and flare dresses. They do look 'pretty' but I don't do 'pretty'. Surely our sewing skills can accommodate garments that are more interesting? Overall, I think this issue is awesome and I would buy it if only it were available in Australia.

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  6. I used to have a pair of "harem pants" and while my husband hated them (called them my pirate pants), they were incredibly comfortable - and keep in mind those girls may not be aiming for flattering, they're dressing for themselves/comfort

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  7. Haha the convertible dress! But sorry, I WANT the harem pants, even though I'm in the more northern part of the northern hemisphere. Comfy comfy comfy, and I do believe it's possible to style them acceptably, in a slouchy festival kind of way. Right??? But there are tutes for that kind of thing, I wouldn't by a magazine for it - especially when it seems to involve a massive amount of shirring. Yoga waistband, please.

    Hope things in your life are ok. Blog breaks can be good - take care of yourself!

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  8. Hi Lessles! There are som straightforward instructions for drafting sarouel/harem pants here: http://judithschrijfsels.blogspot.be/2012/06/patroon-makkelijke-harembroek.html

    It's in Dutch but the pictures & diagrams are pretty clear and with the help of google translate maybe it'll work for you?? Maartje just made some using that tutorial: http://huisjeboompjeboefje.blogspot.be/2014/06/sarouel-for-me.html

    I'm plotting my own pair soon (shorter, like the ones in the review above). Also, totally agree with you on fit & flare dresses!

    Anyway, I hope that might be helpful...

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  9. I like that second swimsuit too. But... what is going on with the model's legs? They look like they have been baked or something! And, I hope whatever has been occupying you is good news.

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  10. The two blouse options you've presented here are really lovely! Definitely things I'd consider making for myself. I hope you've been ok :)

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  11. Hi Lessles, La mia boutique is actually sold in Australia. You can also buy it online. You can find the info on http://sewingprincess.com/where-to-buy-la-mia-boutique-magazine-worldwide/

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  12. Hi Cirque du Bebe, La mia boutique is sold in Australia. You can also buy it online. You can find the info on http://sewingprincess.com/where-to-buy-la-mia-boutique-magazine-worldwide/

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  13. I agree, that first swimsuit is lovely, of the three similar dresses, I do like the black one, but all those pants are just AWFUL. You know it's bad when they look weird on the models LOL

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