True confession time...I haven't bought a Burda Style monthly mag or a Burda Plus since the May issue 2011...and I'm not missing it! I was really worried that I would miss the trendy stylings and the fashion forward garments but I have to say that nope...not feeling any separation anxities...no need to scour NYC for a copy of one...nuthin'! I think alot of this can be contributed to Vogue Pattern Magazine upping its game and providing a magazine with a lot of the things that I loved about the old Burda magazine...not that thing that the new BS has morphed into. I truly feel that the Burda Style editors kicked me and some of it's long time American readers to the curb when they dismantled the old website and replaced it with the new one. And please understand that I'm not bashing that website, because it does provide a service to the new sewist...a service that is needed so that our craft continues with the next generation...it just does nothing for me.
So I will continue to enjoy the 12-13 years of magazines that I currently own and have no intentions of parting with. I may even look for a new garment to make from one of those magazines since they were so fashion forward...but I since I'm not missing BS...I will no longer actively look for it...it's time to move on!
...as always, more later!
I actually think the last few issues have been vastly better so I hope Burda have turned the corner. Still there are always plenty of good things in the back issues. Don't get me started on the website though!
ReplyDeleteI second you re. Burda magazine - very disappointing. Yesterday I was lucky to get three issues from 2005-2006 as a gift. They are all dog-eared but with full sets of patterns. I was on cloud nine.
ReplyDeleteMy new favourite is Patrones which reminds me of old Burda.
I still look forward to getting my Burda magazine but I have sewn less from it than I used to since they have halved the number of sheets they print the patterns on - they are now such a headache to trace. As you have such an enormous collection of back issues I can definitely see why you don't feel the need for any more - 12-13 years worth of magazines should last you for a while!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the Burda website. I find it absolutely worthless. I use the French site now. I'm not yet ready to give up on the magazine, though. Yes, tracing is a major headache now that there is only one pattern sheet. My tastes are very conservative, some would say boring, so many of the patterns didn't appeal to me. But, the patterns I choose to sew really do appeal to me. I'm annoyed that Burda Plus contains mostly selections from previous Burda issues. If I give up anything, it will be Burda Plus. It is good to know there is life after Burda if I ever have to make that choice.
ReplyDeleteI quit the mag too. I get the two issues of Burda Plus each year, but not the monthly one. It all seemed geared towards a 20-something stick person that I could not relate to.
ReplyDeletePast issues though have some real gems in them.
I just renewed my subscription for another year. I was so close not to because there has been a lot of repeat and some ghastly designs lately, but I kept thinking I would miss out on the most amazing issue if I let it go..... But there has been an increase in the things I would make lately, so I'm not regretting it (yet)
ReplyDeleteDo you find the Vogue Mag has alot to offer as for as ready to make patterns for the "cuddly" people :)? I can alter patterns when moved to, but life just get so busy at time that I just want to cut and sew without completely redrafting a pattern.
ReplyDeleteSince I've only been sewing for 3.5 years, I only know the newer Burda and I've just had my first few successes sewing from it (such great fit!!!). I wonder what I would think of those older ones that everyone laments. That said, I'm glad I took a few German classes in college so I can navigate the German site.
ReplyDeleteHaving just returned to sewing I never visited the old burda site and the new one as many have said just does not do anything for me.
ReplyDeletePS Carolyn you are always so nicely put together as a major fan of your blog which actually got me back to sewing again, I think you have very good taste! Who needs a fashion or sewing magazine with your taste.
ReplyDeleteStopped my subscription last summer. I browse it each month in the shop, but did not buy a single issue since. Like you I will keep the older issues, which still have many patterns that are very current.
ReplyDeleteI let my subscription lapse at the beginning of the year too. And while I've picked up a few random issues here and there at B&N since, but I figure half of the stuff ends up on the website anyway. I agree that it was a bad move, merging the English magazine website and the old BurdaStyle site-- I liked the old website much better when they were putting out different (and free!) patterns instead of just cherrypicking from the magazine.
ReplyDeleteI stopped 18 months ago and with a minor exception or two, no regrets
ReplyDelete. But I love my older issues which really are timeless. And to even the word verification seems to have a new Burda opinion since the word is "blech." :-)
I first stated buying Burda 15 years ago when I wanted something pretty to look at on a commuter train. Big gap in the middle and started again in earnest 3 years ago. I love it. I even love all the kooky stuff. For me, the big problem is keeping up with it. Another month goes by, another issue arrives and I've still got eyes on a pattern from 4 issues ago that I never got around to... one of the huge advantages of being in opposite seasons is by the time the season matches the issue lots of people have already made up the style and you get to see it in action on real people - also my eyes have had time to "adjust" to the crazy styles and they have come into fashion here in the shops so it looks so fashion forward and current.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine ever giving up my subscription unless i just got so backlogged with projects I needed to give myself some time to catch my breath.
Please return to Burda!Last issues are much better now than before!!
ReplyDeleteI still love Burda. I love that the patterns follow current fashions, so I can make modern-looking stuff for cheap. I think part of the problem these days is that a lot of current designs are a bit plain (potato-sack dresses, anyone?), but that's pretty much what the stores are showing as well.
ReplyDeleteThat website, though... Oh my, that website! Why does it fail to provide the useful services that all the other websites (i.e. the German, French or Russian ones) do, like galleries and archives? I really don't care about somebody's crafty interpretation of a trendy pattern. I am supposed to be in their "target" demographic (I'm 30 and female) and yet I hate that site so much, as you can probably tell!
Dottie said it right, your taste is impeccable and so when you move on past a magazine well that says something. I also love the way you put it "kicked to the curb" that's exactly how I felt. As if they decided they didn't want sewers like me anymore. Still makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment about sewing pattern designs for the newer sewer or the model body. This is also very prevalent in the hand knitting magazines and books that have been flooding the market for a number of years.
ReplyDeleteQuietly reading your blog, love it.
Janice in Southeastern WI
who lives 1 hour away from a fabric store in all directions.
jaknitsea@charter.net
I have a few Burda's and the Plus Size issues. I never renewed because I didn't make a single pattern. All of those lines were just too daunting. I did download some of the Hotpatterns on Fabric com though as she uses a Wild Ginger product to draft hers and those fit me well.
ReplyDeleteI could look past the styles du jour, but have realized that I am just longer a Burda girl. Sad, but leaves me with money in the pocket. Blogger is letting me comment today; I'm here often but unable to comment ....
ReplyDeleteI grew up with Burda as I am from Europe, so have bought the magazine sporadically all my life. I now live in the Philippines where there are no (as in zero) pattern stores, so I would alternate a subscription of the dutch Knip with Burda. I don't need more than one pattern magazine at a time anyway, as i only need summer clothes. I am now however extremely happy to be able to download patterns so I don't have to spend the money on the magazine anymore. As far as I can tell all the magazine patterns end up on the german website within a month or two and as I only buy the ones I really will sew, t's turning out cheaper than having a subscription.
ReplyDelete