BLAH!!!
What a bunch of potato sacks! Anything with a fitted shape is extremely simplified without any interesting design elements. And how many pairs of tapered ankle pants does one person need? I struggled to find a single design to make up.
Skirt 128 is it, although I'm thinking a seam cutting right across my widest area (hips) probably isn't the most flattering of designs. It would have to loose the exposed side zipper and six or eight inches of length.
I did just call to renew my subscription because, even though this magazine is a dud to me, I generally find plenty to keep my interest. FYI, the price has increased $10 per year. They must be experiencing some money issues, don't you think? First they do away with the English website, then the patterns are all crammed onto a single sheet of paper, and now the rate hike. I know everyone is upset about these changes, but chances are they aren't trying to screw us. Perhaps they are simply scrambling to keep the magazine afloat.
Money troubles was my thought, too.
ReplyDeleteHowever, here's an interesting article about Hubert Burda Media's efforts to change the way they do business in general: http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/24/technology/kirkpatrick_dld.fortune/index.htm.
Ooops, here's the link:
ReplyDeleteBurda's new business model
The september issue is no better ( http://www.burdastyle.de/trends/news/burda-style-09-2010-erste-vorschau-aufs-september-heft_aid_3062.html ). It makes me happy that I buy the issues individually and don't waste the space on issues that I care nothing for.
ReplyDeleteIt's cheaper on Amazon I think. I saw a post from someone on the burdaenglish mentioning this.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I just received my issue today and really like the skirt you picked.
You picked out the only thing I would bother with. Meh.
ReplyDeleteI just got the August one yesterday - normally I get it a couple of weeks later than when you review it. Like you I was not impressed and it is sitting on my bedroom floor all rejected!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the August issue. I also agree with you that I would not like to see the magazine fail either!
ReplyDeleteJoy, thanks for the link. I read it. I am not so much interested in Burda providing amature content. I enjoy amature content, but we are all already providing plenty of that on the web already. I am willing to pay Burda for professional drafting!
I thought that the price of Burda mag was going up here in England because the pound had weakened against the Euro. But the Dollar is a different situation. Hmmm....
I just found out yesterday that after the print delay (or whatever it was) they aren't even bothering to ship the August issue to HK (I don't have a subscription, I just have my bookstore reserve it for me). I was fed up yesterday, now I feel much more cheerful that I haven't missed anything. I agree Burda seems to be having major problems.
ReplyDeleteI felt pretty uninspired when I took a gander at my magazine too. I may try the simple 123 trousers, but also kind of like the skirt you highlight. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised at all that Burda is not doing well. Where I live only German Burda is avaliable.. I don't speak German so imagine the horror of translating the instructions, which are notoriously bad anyways? I could subscribe to English Burda, but that subscription is so ridiculously expensive that I lose desire for it entirely. I don't understand why they can't just put up the instructions in different freaking languages on the internet for people to download? Needless to say, I just don't buy Burda anymore..
ReplyDeleteNext, the website is horribly unfunctional, they keep changing stuff and not for the better..
And with the latest changes such as pattern sheets.. I'm sorry to say I'm completely disappointed.. the only thing about Burda that I enjoy is seeing Amanda's beautiful creations on this blog and that's about it. So for as far as I am concerned no wonder they are going down. They need to improve and faaast. Sorry for venting:)
A big ol' meh here too. I do not like the exposed side zip on the skirt, too asymmetrical. There is a petite jacket with a little standing collar that I like, but everything else is terrible!
ReplyDeleteI just got the magazine yesterday and haven't had a chance to look through it yet. Sounds like I'm not going to be all that thrilled with what I find. :/
ReplyDeleteDue to some similar subscription issues, I missed this issue. Thanks for the heads up- it seems like I didn't miss anything at all. I keep saying that I'm not going to renew but I always do!
ReplyDeleteI was pretty disappointed in the August issue too. So blah.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog & just noticed that you're pregnant and due soon--congrats! I'm due in November and have been trying my hand at making some maternity clothes. The pattern selection is so abysmal, though, that I'm rapidly losing interest. I think you had the right idea forgoing it altogether!
I totally agree about the August issue...and the only thing I liked is the same skirt that you like! And I also would have get rid of the exposed side zipper and a whole lot of length.
ReplyDeleteI would be very disappointed to see Burda fail! I like their grown-up aesthetic (no cutesy aprons made from quilting cotton) and the fact that patterns don't come with those silly seam allowances (so much more precise to sew!!). No other magazine on the market approaches them, in my opinion, and everything I've ever sewn from them has turned out very nice.
ReplyDeleteI kind of liked the August issue, especially the Jackie O feature. I might even make a coat or jacket once I get through my sewing back log...