This is everything that Stacy and Clinton tell you not to wear. Look at all that fabric around the hips and narrowing down to that oh so flattering carrot shape.
I take it back, I would sew this skirt:
Here are the ruffles I really hate.
The rest is just boring.
Next month is Folkloric month or 'Boho Chic' as they are billing it this year and I quote: Alpine traditions meets Hungarian Rhapsody- resulting in the loveliest European folk-style fashion clothes! Colorful skirts charming aprons, flattering bodices, darling blouses, casual trousers, rustic knits, and more!' Doesn't that sound like just what you want to sew? Or maybe you do, but lately this section has come across as a mish mash kind of a collection and that's what this sounds like. A mess.
One section is inspired by Mark Rothko using bright color combos. It remains to be seen what the patterns will look like. the plus sizes look slightly more promising in September. The rest? There's another overly full dress and more pleated, tapered pants.
I haven't started planning my fall wardrobe, but needless to say I'll be looking elsewhere for inspiration. Oh and my subscription is up for renewal. It's up to $90 this year and this is the first time I am really thinking about it.
Maybe it's just me, or are you just as disappointed by Burda Style lately?
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No, it is not just you. It would appear as if the Burda Plus Folks are operating under the assumption that if it fits, it will look good. I for one would not buy a rtw blouse at seventy-five percent off that would cover my larger-than-I-would-prefer bust in ruffles. Why would I take the time to make one? Mimi
ReplyDeleteI agree with you totally! But I fell out of love with Burda quite a while ago. It just isn't my cup of tea anymore. Strange patterns, too much details, not flattering etc. etc. I always buy loose copy's if they're interesting enough. The last one I bought is the 2010 september-issue...
ReplyDeleteGood luck with finding inspiration elsewhere!
Lilian
I am sorry to disagree with you but I've found many interesting things in this issue the pink version of the 50s dress is very attractive, I think, even if I am not sure it would suit me. Maybe it's just me too.lol. I've already made a dress and I am happy with the result. it's on my blog if you want to have a look.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't tried overloads of drapey fabric, you need to get yourself to a store and try some on. You might be pleasantly surprised..
ReplyDeleteI'm up in Edmonton (Canada) and just stopped into my local Chapter's book store. The July Burda is available now there. However, I'm now on the "hold list" and they will set aside each month's Burda issue for me to look at and decide to buy (or not). Seemed like a good deal for me. Maybe you could see if a local book/newspaper/magazine store would do the same. The deal is that when I get the "call", I need to go in sooner rather than later to decide to buy or not. Seems only fair, and less expensive than a subscription.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I'm with you. I'm not feeling Burda at all lately. I was going to get this issue just for the drapy knit dress, but there is a review up on PR. The dress looks great, but it looks so much like v1250, I might as well use that instead. Plus v1250 has some shaping seams in the back which I think will flatter me better. I'm really hoping Burda gets it together. I really miss my favorite pattern magazine. Luckily, I have some great back issues to catch up on.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Burda subscriber but the photos you posted are not flattering to large busted women. Ruffles all over my chest would be ridiculous! When are fashion people gonna realize that gobs of fabric on a heavy women look like ugly gobs of fabric and hide (not enhance) the good curvy womanly parts? Give me a nice semi-fitted jacket over a slim dress or well-fitting straight-leg pants any day. Luckily we (as sewists) can make up these standard shapes in beautiful fabric of colors that make us glow.
ReplyDeleteKaren in Houston
I have boobs. Big boobs. And I'd feel like a big boob if I put a ton of ruffles on them. It's hard enough to see me lower half as it is. And did I read that the price is $90 for a subscription? Aaaagh!
ReplyDeleteI stopped my subscription about a year ago because it was no longer thrilling. I wonder if I need to get into a store and try on new styles. Maybe I am always resistant to new styles & need to push myself a bit.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, there is NO WAY I would wear those pink pants.
If I wore that around my stepson and husband, they could come up with some colorful commentary.
I stopped my subscription back in May. Not loving it at all.
ReplyDeleteI have felt the same way as you for the last year or so, but something seems to have changed in the last few months (maybe me!) and for me I think the August issue is the best in ages, I made a long list of things I want to make. I have to agree with you that I'm not feeling excited about next months folklore issue though.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the huge laugh with your commentary! I needed it!
ReplyDeleteI don't subscribe to it usually buy it from the newsstand but they've stopped delivering to my favorite vendor and I don't feel like going across town to purchase one. Because like you I have a collection going back to 1999, and lately it's been just kinda meh to me. I didn't renew my Burda plus subscription either and I'm just not missing it.
ReplyDeleteI like the top worn with the salmon colored pants. And there is another view of the pants without the huge sash - I like those, too.
ReplyDeleteI've lowered my expectations concerning BurdaStyle Magazine. If I like the offerings in 3 out of 5 issues I'm happy. For a woman of my size, it's still a good source of stylish patterns.
Oh! I have to disagree. I love every item you hate :D I love the plus size knit and would like ti re-size it for me. And, the ruffles! I love the ruffles!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of this is age oriented...the younger girls - all of them look great in those ruffles, and they are hot now. But we more "mature" ladies have to be careful of that for fear of looking age-inappropriate. I notice that Burda does this a lot - a few issues that are one way and then then next that are another - maybe not necessarily the antithesis, but at least not quite so dramatic. I'm also getting Knipmode, and their patterns are all very "young" almost Kewpie doll looking. I guess I'm just so glad we're out of grunge that I'm thankful for anything feminine - - although I won't be wearing a plethora of ruffles!!!
ReplyDeleteI gave up on Burda awhile ago... I only buy an issue occasionally after perusing it at the store. Knipmode and Ottobre seem a better bet for me with my tummy and big boobs... Those pink pants are appalling...
ReplyDeleteNo way in hell would I wear any of that, except for MAYBE the skirt you pointed out. And you are right--they break all of the rules for dressing appropriately for your body if you are trying not to look like you weight 50 more pounds than you actually do.
ReplyDeleteAlso, $90 for a subscription?! Pricey.
I've really enjoyed these past few issues of Burda. I don't wear ruffles, but I've found so many other things to love. I especially like that Burda is so fashion-forward but still wearable - I can find patterns for clothes that will show up in stores a few months later. Also, their patterns always go together really well and fit me with few alterations. I don't mean to sound like an ad for them, I guess they can't please everybody all the time.
ReplyDeleteI am over ruffles (period).
ReplyDeleteEvery time I start feeling "meh" about Burda they put out an issue that I love - like Feb or June this year. But I hear you - August is a clunker IMHO. (I am desperate to see someone make up those spectacularly bad poodle pants! LOL)
I think Burda has a problem with using fabrics that either completely obscure the design or that don't work for it (like the black and white check dress with the collar - that collar might work in a fabric with a softer drape and less bulk). Also, it drives me bonkers when the clothing does not fit the models particularly well - there were LOTS of examples of that in this Burda... Dress #126 - too big on the girl (look at the vertical ripples on the skirt! This is a sewing magazine for crying out loud!) OH, and don't even get me started on dresses #119 and #123 - these would look SO much better if the model was simply wearing a bra that had some support. It's ridiculous that a sewing magazine wouldn't get these things right.
Every time I look at a new issue of the Burda magazine, I always think yuck. When I go back for the 2nd/3rd/4th time, I usually find something that I quite like. The August issue was no different. At first nothing appealed but after I studied it for the third time, I realized I might like to sew #120, the simple zipper knit jacket, and 124, the full, A-line trench coat with the inverted pleat in the back. Number 123, the sheath dress with the scarf draping down the back is fun, but it's not appropriate for my lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI've come to the conclusion that I *hate* the photos. The models' poses often obscure the lines of their garments and often the whole garment "concept" is just too outlandish for me. Unfortunately it takes me several viewings of the magazine to get past that. I do much better when I puruse the instruction section with their line drawings and pattern pieces, and then flip back to the photo page when I see something I like.
I have only known about Burda since the beginning of this year, so I don't have as much back history to compare with. I usually find about 3-5 pieces in each issue that I like though. And my results with Burda are usually much better than my results with other pattern companies. I will agree that some of their patterns or fabric choices are rather outlandish (those pants hahaha) but I sort of enjoy laughing at the bad stuff as much as ooohing and ahhhhing over the good stuff.
ReplyDeleteWith the latest issue... I am not much of a ruffle girl, but I did like a lot of the dresses and the jackets. I have been wanting to make a casual type jacket and I think some of the options in this issue are rather nice. On the other hand, I am probably in that younger demographic, so I could understand that part of the argument.
Also, I have recently acquired some rather old (1997-2005) back issues, so I can understand why people prefer the older Burdas. I have fallen in love with some of the older patterns, and the designs seem geared toward a slightly more sophisticated audience. So I can understand why people find the newer offerings a bit more disappointing.
As for me, I don't know, perhaps it is still the newness, but I love waiting for the Burda previews online each month. I order each magazine online if I like what I see, which I have since April. I am thinking about starting a subscription next year, when many people are thinking about stopping them. I often find that I like even more things as I go through the line drawings as opposed to the pictures, and everything I have made has turned out very nice in terms of fit. So I am really liking Burda and enjoying the new issues as well as the old.
I've only fairly recently got into buying Burda magazine after having taken sewing up again after a 10 year break and started to really look forward to getting my new found friend every month, but say the last 12 months have been a bit disappointing for me. They were either too young, too frumpy or downright weird. I recently won the whole 2008 year on ebay and was amazed at how many things I wanted to sew compared to as of late. There just doesn't seem to be anything I want to sew now, and don't get me started on the old folklore look and their other favourite 'safari' How many times can we see the same jungle inspired skirt and jacket? Yawn. I now just check out the preview online and if there's anything I like then I hot foot down to the nearest place to buy it, otherwise I don't bother. Soo glad I didn't bother with a subscription - think how many regular patterns you could get with $90, and they'd all be ones you actually wanted!
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of your observations. In particular the jackets. I thought if I decided to make any of them, it would be for my DD. I did like a few of the garments. One is the dress you showed in this post. I think it's cute.
ReplyDelete