I don’t know what’s in the water over at Burda HQ, but they are seriously on a roll right now – it’s been an amazing few months of consistently great issues, but seriously, this issue takes the cake! I’m usually not a fan of the summer issues, but there are just so many fantastic designs I want to make in this one that I found myself scanning nearly every page!
So settle on in, this is a long’un…
A few years ago I would’ve been all “oh, a feature on shorts? Yawn, flip through…” but upping my running game (plus having an actually hot summer last year) has made me appreciate shorts a lot more! Burda gets several brownie points for this pair because a) they’re sporty, b) they’re a great length, c) pockets! and d) they used a non-white model. Big applause all around.
Now, this is the exact same pair of shorts as above, but with curved seams for colourblocking. If it were me, I’d have put the dark portion at the crotch rather than the reverse, as this is a good trick I learned from a cyclist for disguising saddle sweat marks, but it also goes to show that you can just draw lines like these on any shorts pattern and get the same effect.
YES. I may have already traced out this classic racerback vest (tank) in order to use up a few 1 meter pieces of awkward, “not really what I was expecting when I ordered but still nice” jerseys…
And let’s talk about these shorts with the angled overlays – these must be a knockoff of a designer garment because this is now the third time I’ve seen patterns for them – first in the January Manequim magazine, and then again when Simplicity released 1370, which has a view for this, too! (Actually, I’d love to do a comparison post on these three if someone could send me a scan of the Simplicity pattern piece layout, please? They’re stupid expensive here.)
On to the next feature, which is entirely based on Japanese-inspired cutting techniques. oh my god are you kidding me?! An entire feature based on unusual cuts, seamlines, drapes, and nary a cheap “Asian brocade” or kimono in sight – think Pattern Magic or Drape Drape. YES.
First up – this dress with an overlay which sweeps over the shoulder and around to the back. I could see this being an amazing formal gown, even though Burda have made it in a fairly casual fabric here.
Ok this next dress concept really is straight out of Pattern Magic (“Stretch Fabrics” book, design “Stopper”) – twist the sides of the pattern pieces but then straighten it when worn so you get a twist through the midsection. Very understated, chic, and extremely wearable. Burda have also added twists to the sleeves here, which is a nice touch.
It usually annoys me when Burda say in the instructions to just take your fabric to “your local professional pleater” (as if), but frankly, you could leave off the pleated godet in this dress and it’d still be a killer design! (In fact, I like it better without) That bodice, those shoulder-peeping sleeves, that pencil skirt… gorgeous.
This boxy jacket is such an unusual design that I just had to include it – not only does it have a partial front which extends over the centre front closure, but there’s a similar partial back overlay, too. It’s hard to see in the photo, but midway down the arms are leather inserts which are actually pencil pleated (using pleating tape rather than a professional service) for extra effect.
We’re out of the Japanese feature now but still the unusual designs keep on coming! I’m bored to tears by most shirtdress patterns, but this one… YES. I’ll even forgive the “mullet” hem. So modern, so chic, so stylish.
I’m not so keen on the crepe “sweatpants”, but the blouse is right up my street! It’s deceptively simple to sew, too – just one piece front and back, finish the edges with bias binding, then sew the pleats in place. It’d be a great beginner silk project, in fact, as there’s not too many seams to sew.
The Plus section was a bit ho hum this month (or maybe that was just in comparison to the stellar rest of the mag?), but I liked the seaming on this sheath dress…
And finally, the kids section is supposedly for beachwear, but I know some great basics when I see them – that romper is really just a hoodie waiting to happen, and that raglan tee would make the perfect gift for a little boy or girl at short notice!
So, was I right, or was I right? This is one of the best Burda issues I’ve ever seen! And I have a secret – the May Manequim may be even better… I know, right! But first I have their April Oscar dress special to show you!