First of all, apologies for the delay in getting this (and about four other posts you haven’t seen yet) live. Immediately after we returned from our week’s holiday in France, I caught an awful cold/flu and was off work for a week and then re-entered the office to an unholy stress-storm. So all the wonderful planning and progress and goodies which I meant to share right after we came home are still only now dribbling out of my brain and into the site.
(whisper it) And I’m running a marathon this Sunday. THIS SUNDAY!*
Moving on…
While we were in France, I had a browse through the sewing magazines in a few supermarkets. The bigger ones tend to stock Burda (regular, Plus, and Easy), Fait Main, and Elena Couture. I wasn’t planning on buying either of the latter two, but I had a flick through this one and decided it was worth it for the workout gear (read on!), but the Elena got left on the shelf. And then, of course, I found the new Burda Classics at Calais, too. I also grabbed the latest Burda Easy (which you’ll see soon), as it too was surprisingly better than usual.
If you’re not familiar with Fait Main, it’s a translation of the Danish magazine Sy but printed in France by Hubert Burda Media. As far as I know, it’s not available in English, or any other languages, and is a monthly publication, featuring not just sewing patterns, but also knitting and embroidery patterns, too.
I bought this once before last Spring during our French road trip, but I think I prefer this issue!
First up is a cosy faux-wrap sweater and skirt – the sweater reminds me of the one I sewed for my UK Citizenship ceremony back in 2009, and like that one, this sweater also appears to wrap but is actually attached at the side seams, which I prefer.
Neither the bow blouse nor pleated trousers here are particular earth-shattering, but they’re nice basics to have in your arsenal, especially for office-friendly attire.
I know I’ve seen a pattern for this style of looped handbag before, but it’d be such a great beginner project – just as easy as a reusable shopping bag but potentially one you could get even more use from. Or for more advanced sewers, it’d be a great use of smallish leather scraps, too (I always end up with a portion of one skin left)!
I don’t knit (and frankly, have zero desire to start), but these two knitting patterns look fantastic – how gorgeous is this short sleeve cowl sweater?? And the knitted cardigan for men isn’t half bad either!
For me, this workout wear section was what made me purchase the magazine! Here we’ve got a great pair of sweats (aka trekkie bottoms) and a long-sleeved, surplice top…
…and also a hoodless sweatshirt and a gathered, sleeveless top (I totally love the racer-back and longer length on these, perfect for moving around!).
And finally, there may be only one dedicated Plus-sized pattern in this issue (the workout gear goes up to XL), but it’s a good’un! Not only do I love the design of this asymmetric coat, but the colour and styling are just perfect, too.
Coming up: My Fall/Winter sewing plans, some small, finished sewing jobs, Burda Easy magazine, and the jeans I’m sewing right now…
* In Amsterdam (so yes, I’m totally visiting Kantje Boord while I’m there)! I’m not raising any money for charity, but I’d love for anyone to go and donate blood and think of me…