Burda Style - English ed

I'm a home sewer who loves fashion forward clothing that is well-made and not super expensive. I first subscribed to this publication about 10 years ago. This magazine is like getting a great fashion magazine with the patterns included instead of merely a pile of ads.It used to be harder to use the patterns in the English edition as they didn't include any of the detailed sewing instructions typical of an individually purchased sewing pattern, and the pattern markings were all in German. However, the current version includes helpful tips in every issue that over time will give a home sewer a good amount of technique for clothing construction and other projects. You effectively get the value of more than $100 (USD) worth of patterns in every issue! This edition includes mainly misses, some women's plus sizes and a few patterns for men and children in every issue. They also have a "plus" edition in English which I also purchase as the regular issues are mainly filled with "skinny" sizes that quite a large percentage of American women cannot squeeze with our curves. If you learn to redraft the patterns that must be traced anyway, this edition will give your far more original patterns for your money than the plus edition which seems to use 3 variations on the same basic pattern (shirt, dress, jacket for instance) and list it as if it is a completely different pattern instead of a typical pattern envelope that shows it as views A, B, C when only minimal style differences are done such as collar or hemline variations.This edition includes a few tall designs and a few petites as well.I'm still not a huge fan of the "extra" craft projects that are included like lampshades and other "homemade" looking things like decorating an old wine bottle or mirror. There are many craft magazines and womens magazines that do that little craft stuff better and in more depth. I wish they would take that out and include more sewing techniques or details about the individual garment patterns that are included or even another article about a designer or talented reader.

In the several years I've subscribed (off and on), Burda is always a bit hit or miss. But every month I find at least one thing I want to sew, they do great blazers and jackets, and over time you'll amass a solid collection of customizable basics in addition to their more unusual pieces. What I like best is that I always know exactly what modifications I need to make to get my Burda patterns to fit me and so with the monthly pattern magazine, it's easy to choose a few things I want to make this month, trace it off, make my adjustments and sew (as opposed to combing through every pattern catalog to choose things I like that are all going to have been drafted differently and need different adjustments to get them fitting properly). Burda's drafting and sizing are generally really reliable. Two things to be aware of, though. 1) Their garment photos are often at odds with the line drawings. In those cases (where the garment photos look different than the line drawings), I've always found the line drawing to be correct. 2) The instructions are generally not helpful. They're sparse and have been translated into English (which sometimes causes problems). I've yet to run into anything I couldn't figure out, but I'd definitely recommend a library of classic sewing resource books on hand for the beginner who wants to tackle their first Burda.

I have learned sewing from this magazine, and I find it excellent. Not only you get about 50 patterns for about $8 per month, but you also get an advance preview of fashion trends to come. This magazine is one to two years ahead of the fashion trends, and it has a beautiful, sophisticated but simple style.The instructions are excellent. Not as detailed as if you buy a pattern separately, but they include extras that you usually don't have in pattern booklets: detailed technical diagrams, list of notions, and cutting layouts. I find those indispensable and wish they had them in packaged patterns.One drawback is the time you have to spend to copy the patterns from the pattern sheet. However, when you get this many patterns in one magazine, this is a small inconvenience.One thing to love: there are no ads. All pages in the entire magazine are about projects and fashion. All pictures of the finished garments are full page. There are sometimes articles about fashion trends, and usually one "learn to sew" section where one of the patterns has very detailed instructions.Highly recommend for all fashion sewers.

I love Burda fashions and look forward to paging through the magazine each month. Fashion forward is how I would describe them. There are a lot of complaints about the instructions but I find if you have books in your sewing reference library, you will do fine.I have the Readers Digest Sewing book (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Sewing-Step---Step/dp/1606522086/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456942884&sr=8-1&keywords=readers+digest+sewing), Vogue Sewing book (http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Revised-Updated-Knitting-Magazine/dp/1933027002/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456942934&sr=8-1&keywords=vogue+sewing) and Dressmaking A complete step by step guide (http://www.amazon.com/Dressmaking-Complete-Step---Step-Clothes/dp/0756698200/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456942976&sr=8-1&keywords=dressmaking) among others. I also recommend the Pati Palmer book - Fit for Real People to make sure you clothes fit you before you sew them!!!Each issue has a pattern which they give step by step illustrated instructions but for the most part there is only a few paragraphs in the inside section of the magazine. The samples are always beautifully photographed and they have a nice selection of plus sizes in every issue as well. They always seem to use high quality fabrics, many with natural fibers (such as silk, linen, every leather). Some of the more advanced patterns I would not tackle if you are a beginner (a recent issue had a parka that look intimidating!) but you can get lots of ideas.