BurdaStyle Modern Sewing - Wardrobe Essentials Spiral-bound – November 5, 2014

I purchased through this seller because she mentioned that the patterns are included. They are an essential part of the book; the book is worthless without them. And, they were included! The book is in good shape also. I like the designs in the book and will probably make quite a few of them.

Very nice book, great instructions. Can't wait to start a project, first will be the beautiful wrap top. My only complaint is that there's no pattern for the hooded jacket on page 73, lol. I want it.

I purchased this book for $2.00 so I don't feel like I should have a complaint. But I do, The biggest complaint I have is that the patterns they give are not truly wardrobe essentials nor are they things that I would want in my closet. I was looking for true wardrobe essentials like -the little black dress, the pencil skirt, denim jeans, a trench coat,leggings, etc, but, alas it was not to be. Also I only have 4 burdastyle magazines but realized the book had 3 of the projects from them which makes me wonder, for those who collect burda mags how much repeat they will see.I was not overly thrown off by seeing the repeats-I just wish they would have given more thought to the actual patterns they did include in the book and what most people would consider an essential wardrobe item.I feel like the instructions were decent for someone who has sewing experience, if you are a beginner to beginner intermediate you will definitely need back up text (another resource) to help you out. I will be honest and say that I rarely look at pattern instructions from a pattern or a pattern book such as this one ,unless of course its a Claire Shaeffer pattern. :)I normally work from memory or a sewing book on construction. I will turn to the instructions if I come across something I cannot figure out from the book but usually nothing more.So my knowledge on how detailed texts like this normally is as far as construction..may be limited, I still thought the detail in the construction section were okay-I could get through an item with the instructions they gave.The book does not have a section on fitting -besides how to measure yourself to choose the correct pattern size.:( which made me )extremely) disappointed as I love all things that talk about fitting.Burda patterns from their website are normally around $5.99, from a local store on sale around $2.49 With this book you are getting around 19 items to make so I think the amount of patterns given was pretty decent.I wish that they would have provide photos for all of the items because I would have skipped this book and had I paid regular price I would have given it back,or sold it on-as there were only 5 Items I liked in the book 3 of which is from a burda magazine I have. What you get out of this book pretty much depends on your pattern stash and where you are in your sewing journey. Since the majority of the book consist of simple tops I think this book would be good for a beginner intermediate sewer to grow into considering you like the items in the book and an intermediate would love the 2 pants and 3 jackets/blazersExtra's:I included photos of the projects in this book.The red pants and blazer as well as the black jacket are from BurdaMag 08/2013Cons:Pattern repeatMinus Fitting SectionPatterns are not truly wardrobe essentialsLots of tops-which I guess could be a con and pro-But I am not a fan of a bunch of semi loose and loose fitting tops.Only 1 dress??? and not a sheath...Essential??Pro's:A decent amount of patternsBeginner friendly projects-Which I guess can be a pro or a con but I think everyone who sews loves the instant gratification of a top made within 5-6 hours if even that.I liked the section on making a pattern larger and smaller :major kudos on that one.

I sew with my granddaughter and these styles were perfect. She loved the variations on the garments and it really opened her eyes to the creativity possible in home sewing. Great book for sharing the basics of sewing with another.

It should be preemptively acknowledged that I am pretty much a Burda fangirl. So when I heard about the release of the latest book in the BurdaStyle collection, BurdaStyle Modern Sewing: Wardrobe Essentials, I was rather excited and pre-ordered it right away. This was, unfortunately, before there were any preview images of the book (not even a cover image). Once the preview images were released it became rather apparent that this book would not contain any new patterns, and is instead a rehashing of patterns that have been released in the BurdaStyle magazines (mainly in the international versions, though some were used in the US versions as well I believe).Having had a chance to read through the book I have to say that my list of praises far outdistances my list of complaints, though my complaints may have more weight than my praises, at least for other long-time Burda sewists. This book is definitely aimed for someone who is not a beginner to sewing, but may be new to using Burda patterns. The introduction includes information about measurements, sizes, difficulty ratings, pattern symbols, instructions for common techniques (ease pleats, front fly zip insertion, interfacing, invisible zippers, marking patterns, seam finishing, understitching, and a list of common notions and tools). There is also information about grading sizes and notes about seam allowances (which ARE included for many of the patterns included with the book). The end of the book contains a glossary and a few pages of instruction about how to use a serger. The rest of the book gives detailed sewing instructions for the patterns that are included.The most common complaints about Burda sewing patterns are (1) poorly translated/confusing instructions, (2) the difficulty of tracing, and (3) the lack of seam allowances. While I would argue that the last can be more of a benefit than a detriment, I have to concede that this book address all three of these issues. The instructions, while not much different from the original in terms of construction order, are much more readable than than what typically come in the magazine. Additionally, many of the more complex steps have accompanying illustrations to help clarify the directions. The pattern sheets are also much improved over the international versions - they are more reminiscent of the previous pattern sheets where everything was much more spaced out and easier to read (circa 2006). You will still have to trace, but it won't be quite as migraine-inducing as the regular sheets. As for the seam allowances - the introduction indicates that most patterns are given a 5/8" seam allowance and a 1.5" hem allowance, though some are given more or less as indicated on the pattern. As with the magazines, you may have to draft your own pieces when making something simple, such as the rectangles needed for welt pockets. A few other positive aspects of the book - it has a nice spiral binding, which makes it very easy to leave open to the instruction as you are working on construction, the text is quite legible, and the storage pocket in the back makes it very easy to store the pattern sheets as well.My only complaints about the book are (1) NO NEW PATTERNS and (2) I don't know if I would consider all of the patterns Burda chose to be "wardrobe essentials." While I think they did a good job of selecting patterns that would work well for many women's wardrobes, I also think they missed a few key pieces that would have been great to include, such as a trench coat, jeans, a moto-jacket, or a really classic sheath dress. For those interested, the patterns chosen correspond to the following patterns from the international version of BurdaStyle Magazine:Tweed Remix Dress = 10-2012-118A (Top Variation = 10-2012-118B)Shirred Appeal Top = 10-2012-114A/BMake Mine Mod Skirt = 08-2012-135Class Act Trouser Suit = 04-2013-101 (jacket), 04-2013-103 (pants)Simple Elegance Blouse = 07-2012-116Pleats Please! Blouse = 09-2013-118B/AIn The Swing Dress = 08-2012-133 (cover dress)Mohair is Better Coat = 12-2012-117It's A Wrap Top = 11-2011-114A/BSheer Pleasure Blouse = 06-2013-119Twice as Nice Jacket/Skirt = 09-2012-101 (jacket), 09-2012-116A (skirt)Mad for Plaid Top/Skirt = 04-2012-112B/A, 04-2013-118 (skirt)In Black and White Top/Skirt = 10-2012-122 (top), 10-2012-121B (skirt)Free and Easy Blouse = 01-2013-117Red All Over Jacket/Pants = 08-2013-106A/B (jacket), 08-2013-118C/B (pants)Concluding thoughts: If you are an established Burda user who no longer has the time to raise a brow at the often perplexing instructions and ponder why anyone would complain about the pattern tracing, this probably isn' the book for you. You most likely already have all of these patterns in your stash, and the additions of seam allowances and extra instructions will probably feel like unnecessary fluff and hand-holding. If you are somewhat newer to sewing with Burda, then this book might be useful - especially the section explaining what the various pattern symbols mean, as they are different from what the Big4 use. If you have been scared off of Burda because of the complaints listed above, yet still long for that swanky German styling - good news! This book is totally going to be your jam. I highly recommend it as a way to ease into using Burda patterns - it is a great way to get used to the Burda system without having to remember details like adding seam allowances and trying to decipher the magazine instructions.As for me, well, I'm thinking I might like having these extra detailed instructions around, especially for the "All Over Red" jacket and pants, which have been on my to-sew list for quite some time. I very much appreciate the quality of the publication, and it might be nice to have an easier time with the tracing. Strictly speaking, no, I really didn't need this book, though I don't mind having it in my Burda collection. The question, unfortunately, now becomes: what to do about the upcoming BurdaStyle Modern Sewing: Dresses for Every Occassion? Do I skip it, knowing that I already have all of the patterns and that the information pages will be nearly identical to those in Wardrobe Essentials? Or do I add it to my current collection just to fulfill my needs of completion satisfaction? Well, I suppose I have another two months to decide...

The fashions are for young SLIM bodies. Nevertheless, there is a suit pattern and a VERY nice blouse pattern I will try. Patterns for those would have cost as much as the book . I loved the supplement explaining how to thread the serger I bought at a garage sale and could never use. The general how-to section reminded me of all those things I USED to know but have forgotten.

I am a beginner. There are a lot to learn. Explanations are easy to follow and some nice peaces you can make easily. Thanks!

Not sure who these patterns are essential for - no tee, shirt, jeans.Avoid the Kindle edition. You just get a download of the very overlapping traceable pattern sheets. For some of the patterns you have to assemble 3 of the pattern sheets before finding the pattern pieces to trace. Definitely not worth the effort.There's a pinterest board showing all the styles with pattern numbers. Buy from burdastyle.com if you like any of them.