I’m never usually a big fan of summer issues or summer clothing, so I’ve again decided to share my picks from the Burda and KnipMode July issues together. I’ve already decided to not renew my KnipMode subscription, after the new editor turned it from the best pattern magazine out there (in 2010, and IMHO) to the worst one out there in little less than a year. It’s also the most expensive, which makes the decision a bit easier! So I think this is probably the last of my subscription to arrive, and as I’m pleasantly surprised by this month’s Burda, I’ll start with it….
Burda Style (formerly “World of Fashion”) July 2012
Most of the flapper-style dresses were misguided, ugly, and unflattering, but I think is bias-cut, cowl neck number could actually the the opposite of all those things if made in a flowing, lightweight fabric.
I can’t even remember the last time I sewed (or wore!) a button-down shirt, but something about this pattern really grabs me. It could be that waist-seam, which mimics a peplum without being too trendy, or maybe it’s just that I’m happy to see long sleeves in a July issue (hello English summer!).
There’s another variation of this gathered, raglan shell in the magazine which adds short sleeves and is worn with the slit in front instead of the back, but for some reason, in their lightweight cotton, all I could see was “hospital gown”. But here, in a soft, solid silk, I can suddenly see a lot of layering possibilities – both for multiple layers of silk (how about a blue charmeuse with a purple voile or chiffon on top??), and for wearing under jackets or cardigans for officewear.
I’m so pleased that Burda are dipping into their vast archive of vintage patterns recently and reprinting some of them with updated sizing and a few modern tweaks. This 1950s vintage sundress is probably my favourite pattern in this issue, but it’d be a complete fantasy if I made it, maybe being able to bring it out once or twice a year to wear. Some sewers shy away from formalwear as it doesn’t suit their lifestyle – I think I may need to do the same for summerwear!
Now this is more our “summerwear”! I really dislike the fabric choice here – it’s too stiff and bulky, but I really do like this as an edgy skirt suit – a lean, midi pencil skirt with a boxy, dropped shoulder jacket on top. And you could even pair it with my imagined dual-layer shell above, too!
And finally, it was easy to overlook in this issue, but we’ve actually got a fantastic pair of ponte knit trousers here! (I’m not a fan of the “big shirt”, though).
The next issue is August, which is traditionally Burda’s first foray into Fall clothes, hooray!
KnipMode July 2012
There were actually only two patterns of note for me in this issue. As I flipped through, there were a lot of patterns that looked very familiar from past issues, several more that could’ve been your average Simplicity pattern, and a few that were just… odd.
In the Plus section, I really liked this knit top with the asymmetric neckline and gathers (the knit trousers have a pattern, too). It reminded me of a dress in the Summer 2011 My Image magazine, so I really could tweak that to make it in my size anyway.
Last but not least, I absolutely love this skirt, and it’s probably the only Knipmode pattern I’ve truly been excited about in the past six months! It’s a simple idea – take a basic straight skirt and add a wrapover panel with a side pocket, but I think the design and execution are really nice here!
Also, I’d like to wave a big hello and welcome to all my new followers I met yesterday during the Twitter #sewingsocial chat yesterday! Thanks very much to Tilly for organising it! Let’s hope some of the accounts that usually only post blog or facebook updates will stay more active on Twitter as a result. Oh, and I tweeted a special sneak peek of my new dress to the participants, too… All will be revealed this week!