Burda Style: March 2013

I almost forgot to renew this year (yikes!) and while I've been mojo-less for months, I still love looking through my Burda Style every month.  Luckily, GLPNews sent me the March copy in the mail. Whew!

Here are my favorites!

I could own several of these cute capelet/jackets! So cute, and other than the hassle of marking that rounded casing, how easy to sew too! 

Channeling my beloved Season 1 Glee with this cute cardigan and skirt (there's also a basic pencil skirt in this issue).

Several garments with applied seaming treatment. This top is from the plus section and I L*O*V*E it.

I don't care if we've seen it before, this time it has a bonus EXPOSED ZIP.

Burda Style obvs knew I was going to Belize this summer.

Vintagey Chanel-esque jacket, and slim cigarette pants.  (Ignore the ugly midriff top thing)

Sweet spring dress. I think they did this exact pattern a few years ago, in a similar floral.  Still cute, subtle shaping.

Vavoom sundress, instantly reminded me of Sophia Loren, although I couldn't find a photo. It has a very "50s summer" vibe. (Louis Vuitton agreed.)

Another 50s inspired piece, the lace top.

Adorable sheath dress, reminded me of Joan's navy dress with applied trim and button detailing.  (Super easy to extend that trim to the hem on one side only!)

Little "black" dress love (poorly fitted on the model, but the lines are perfect):

Boho chic, how I love thee:

Those are my picks from this issue! I'm dying for spring to hurry and get here.  Come on sun!

Any favorites I missed out there in sewing blogland??

Burda Style: 11/12

Burda, ye have surprised me.  I LOVE this issue.  And I almost never love November! (the magazine issue, not the month. hehe.)


My favorite might be this vintage 1956 reprint, #138:

But there is a lot that I love in this one.  Love love love this plus sheath dress.  Wow. #146

Pretty sheath dress #122.  You don't see many tailored sheaths with long sleeves:

Another retro-inspired dress, #121 (also available as a peplum top):

Adorable jacket, #117:

Fitted plus tunic #142:

Love this skirt, a nice, tailored twist on a wardrobe staple, from the plus section #144:

And I probably have something similar, but I love these relaxed sweater things. They're so easy to sew and wear! #104

Another great basic, a-line skirt #124:

And the tie-neck top is included too, #109:

This issue is packed with other nice basics too, trousers, jackets, knit and woven tops, skirts.  If you don't subscribe, this is a great issue to pick up with a lot of bang for your buck!


I may be "off" my sewing game in recent months, but I wanted to take a moment to throw in my love for Burda Style/Burda World of Fashion magazine.  I well remember the days I started sewing from these magazines and the frustrations and bewilderment I felt trying to decipher oddly translated directions, no technical drawings and European fit. 

It was exhilarating!

There's a petition making the rounds suggesting changes to Burda Style magazine, and I feel your pain seamstresses.  My advice to beginners and those struggling with the crazy tracing "train tracks", the odd instructions, and the crazy fashion styled photo shoots... stick with it! If you keep working on your skills and learning new techniques, I promise the day will come when you don't really need Burda Style's directions to make that fabulous jacket or dress; you'll already possess the skills needed. 

With experience, you'll also get better and better at deciphering those train track pattern lines, more able to recognize the shapes you should be tracing for the different pattern pieces.

Experience is one of those things that you (unfortunately) can't rush or hurry along...have patience.  Burda Style remains, to me, a real treasure trove of sewing and fashion excitement, delivered right to my mailbox, every single month.  Even six years later.

(and luckily, I don't need those crack-crazy instructions very often. although sometimes I attempt them just for kicks and giggles. the nutty translations crack  me up!)

Viva la Burda Style!