Burdastyle Magazine 11/2014

Here we go again!

Some of you actually told me they were missing my reviews, which made me feel so warm in my heart! I have a lot of fun writing them anyway, so I just had to get back on the horse!

Disclaimer: this issue of Burda was given to me, but I can assure you I'm still unbiased.

As I usually do, let me start with the patterns in this issue I actually did like:

Of course, a pretty, pretty dress!
This looks spectacular on the model (love the fabric), the draped panel of the bodice looks pretty great, and that little cape! So dramatic, but not too much.
Stamp of approval: earned. Will I make it? Probably not, unless the perfect occasion for it rises up. Definitely more of a Summer dress, tho.

I said many times I'm partial to Burda's outerweat and to big, dramatic collars, and this little coat is no exception. The fabric choice and the styling are definitely helping here.

Again, outerwear I like. Once again, I really love what they did with the fabric choice here, and it shouldn't be too hard to replicate this print-mizing...
Also, the minimal silhouette is very chic. Love!

Mmh... I'm very torn here. On one side, I like the poofy shoulders and the way this t-shirt looks on the model... On the other... I can't help but think this looks a bit weird. Help me decide, you guys.

You know what I think of Burda's array of rectangle patterns... I thought "this could almost look cool", but not really. The fabric is quite beautiful, but it still looks like she's wearing a blanket (a look that so few women can make work, imho). So... no.
And let me reiterate my usual point with these patterns: do you really want to spend time tracing a rectangle from an intricate sheet and add seam allowance to it?

Mmh... Again, no thanks. I once again almost thought this looked pretty, but the folded napkin hem and weird sleeves just defeated me. No.

And finally, we have a few gowns inspired by movies.
I really, really loved the idea, but I'm not very happy with the execution.

This red number is inspired by the one worn by Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman". Well, it does look like it belongs 24 years in the past. The neckline is a bit vulgar for my taste and the knot "right there" is just a huge no-no for me.


Again, so tacky!
This gown is inspired by Bérénice Marlohe in "Skyfall". I found this video about the original dress, and you can really tell the difference. The lace used here looks so cheap in comparison... It's a great costume for a 007 character, but I don't think it translates too well in real life.

And this... this is the worst of all. It's inspired by a gown worn by Leslie Caron in "An American in Paris". I don't really like the original look either, but I get it as a ballet costume. This just looks like the skirt was caught in a shredder (and the non-color is terrible)... Nope.

The issue contains three more "diva"- inspired looks, and tbh, I don't like any of them.
There are also some forgettable plus-size patterns and some ADORABLE baby patterns.

All in all, not the best issue for me personally, but not the worst either. At least, I liked the styling in most photos and some of the ideas.

Did anything tickle your fancy?

Burdastyle Magazine 08/2014

Hello, guys! Guess who's back?

Wow, almost two months without blogging. That had never happened before, and I honestly didn't expect it. And I really missed it!

Everything's fine here, I've just been very busy with a new sewing commission job (sewing for money= YAY!), added to the two jobs I already had. Moreover, July wasn't a very easy month for me emotionally, because, as you might know if you follow me on Instagram, I took the heartbreaking decision of finding a new (more suitable) home for my dog Dora, and it really took a toll on me, both before and after she left.

But anyway, I'm back with my favorite type of post to write and I hope I can get back on schedule!

I'm already sad I skipped the July issue of Burda (although I could write a review just for fun... what do you think? Yes, fun? No, pointless?), so let's get busy dissecting the August issue!

I'll start with the patterns I like, because I'm in a good mood.
The skirt here looks a bit like Megan Nielsen's Kelly, which is one of my favorite skirt patterns ever. This one is simple and cute, love it!
The shirt pattern is definitely an interesting one, with the draped detail. I also like the shoulder seam moved to the back, the back hem and the neckline.
I could not hate the fabric choice more, but that's no surprise.

Very cute and interesting dress, not to mention great for all those of you who are into color blocking. There's also another version, made in just one solid fabric, but I don't see the point of all those complicated seams if you don't want to play up the paneling.

I feel like I've seen this dress before in the magazine at some point, but that happens often with Burda. I don't like the asymmetric skirt, but that's about it. The pleats around the neckline are a very sweet detail.

The top here has potential, and like the dress from before, could be great for some color blocking experiments.
The skirt is really not my cup of tea, although on the right figure and made in the right fabric, it could look really cute.

Eh. I don't know. I like this jacket, but the sleeves are just too, too big for me and the photo kinda ruins it for me...

HORRIBLE sack of horribleness.
The shape is terrible and those neckline pleats look like an afterthought.

Mmh... No. This could be cute, but all that gathering at the waist and back opening really cheapens it and makes it hard to wear. Missed opportunity!

Very, very cute shorts (although, we've seen them a million times from Burda).
The blouse is a very difficult shape to pull off (especially if you're curvy)... Again, not my cup of tea, but I'm pretty sure someone else could make wonderful things with this pattern, and wear it beautifully.

Finally, plus size patterns!
The top is cute, if a little boxy.
The pants look incredibly cheap, with the elasticated waist. I mean, they're probably comfy, but do you really want formal wear with an elasticated waist? Can't we leave that to sweat pants?

Gaaah, another missed opportunity. A cute, flattering dress completely ruined by that draped handkerchief on the side... Why, Burda, why?

This issue has been out for a couple weeks, now, so if you like it, go get it before it's gone! I'll skip this one, as I'm not really in love with anything here...

The September issue is usually a pretty exciting one in Burda land, so... fingers crossed! 

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?

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]

Burdastyle Magazine 04/2014

Guys. Guys. GUYS!!!

This issue of Burda is SO good, I'm (almost) speechless. I mean, while I went through the preview photos my jaw literally dropped and I asked myself "is this the same magazine from the last months years?".

I don't know if something changed in the artistic direction or what, but this really looks like a whole new magazine, and I couldn't be happier about it.

I got in touch with Mokosha and it turns out we were in the same state of shock. Some of these patterns are exactly in her style, so I can't wait to see them popping up on her blog.

Now, less blabbering and more commenting. Although my comments on these patterns are pretty much all something like "beautiful", so I'll be concise and leave space to the images.

The first set of patterns all have a modern feel to it, but they're so much cooler than the usual Burda standards!!
Take these two dresses: clean, simple, modern lines with interesting design features (look at the back darts of that second dress, for example). Just great.

 This is something I wouldn't wear myself, but would see on a whole lot of people...

 ... although I immediately like it so much more when it's shortened into a top. Also, the skirt is simply gorgeous.

I'm really uncertain about this dress... The design is interesting, but those front panels look a bit too far from the center front to be balanced... What do you guys think?

Again, this is something I wouldn't wear myself, but I can still appreciate the design. On a tall woman, this would be pretty spectacular.

The next set of patterns are presented in a folksy/beachy themed photoshoot, and while most of them are not that memorable to me, these two are real stand-outs.
The pants remind me a lot of the Chataigne shorts by Deer and Doe, and this is actually a variation I wanted to try out.

I'm repeating myself here, but... gorgeous! That bib/yoke thingy in the front might be a little overcomplicated, but it does look great.

And last but not least, my favorite set of patterns, with a vintage feel to them.
The pants were too cute not to include them again; the blouse looks cuter on the model than on the technical drawing. I like the collar, but I would probably eliminate the faux wrap effect.

A shorter version of the maxi dress from before, with a few different details. I LOVE how this looks on the model, fabric choice included (and shoes, too).

This is a little overcomplicated, but all these details are so adorable that they really work together. WANT!

The elasticated waist is a huge let down for me (it feels too dressed down compared to the rest of the dress, imho), but the rest is simply stunning. Those sleeves, oh, those sleeves!

I didn't include any of the plus size patterns because there was a lot to show already and I found them a little boring anyway, sorry! There are also a couple men's patterns and some extremely cute kids patterns.

So, what's the verdict?
I guess it's more than clear how happy I am about this issue and the direction the magazine seems to have taken. No huge wtf-eries, no rectangles (well, just one top, which I didn't include), classy styling... I hope it's not just random, and it will be consistent in the future issues.
I'm so proud of you, Burda, welcome back! But please, keep it up!

Now I'm curious... What do you guys think?