Newsflash: January Burda Early Preview Posted

Hard to believe that we aren't even in December yet, but already the first preview of the 2013 Burda collection is up!  And... well... ummm... yeah.  Color me not impressed.  This time around it looks like we have...

Dresses that just aren't as cool as December:

This dress is ok, but not spectacular.

This sort of looks like the vintage boucle dress, but not as pretty.

Repetitive outerwear:

How many times have I seen this pattern now?

Not another yeti vest!

Slouchy lazywear:

Yawn.

Ok, to be fair these actually ARE the sorts of things I would wear around the house.
So I suppose I can't complain too loudly.
But they still aren't all that exciting either.

And, finally, everyone's favorite section of the ENTIRE YEAR - the Burda January costume collection!

*Giggle snort*

Doesn't the music from Fantasia just start playing in your head?

YOU GUYS IT'S THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR!

Yeah, ok, so maybe I am just a little bit too excited by that last one...  Also, where did they find that many shades of green tights?  (And now I start humming the Men in Tights song... yeah).  So, erm, yeah.  So far I am not seeing anything super impressive.  Also, am I the only one who noticed that the previews seem to be getting shorter and shorter?  Anyway, at this point I am hoping that the January issue will be like December and completely reverse my opinion once the full preview comes out, but I am not counting on it.  Oh well.  That's ok.  I have a backlog of stuff I need to sew up anyway...

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Also, just to let my readers know - no I haven't died, but no I also haven't been sewing at all either.  Probably won't be getting much sewing done until mid-December, at the earliest.  So fear not if I seem to disappear for a while - I am not abandoning the blog.  Just dealing with real life.  I will try to post if any interesting sewing news pops up though.  In the meantime I am trying to keep up with blog reading, but I haven't been posting very many comments.  I have been seeing some really fabulous stuff being sewn up recently though - I am having some serious sewing envy over here!

Newsflash: New Butterick Patterns Announced

Butterick has released their winter collection of patterns - you can look at it here.  Overall it seems like this collection has a Retro-inspired feel, but there were a few patterns that seem to be following the modern trends.  When I looked at the thumbnails I wasn't too inspired at first, but a closer inspection of some of the photos and line drawings have won me over.  Dang it Butterick!  I don't have time to sew patterns I already own - don't tempt me with more!  Let's take a look...

"Retro Inspired" looks:

B5846 - I actually like this shirtdress, but I have a lot of shirtdress patterns,
and not a lot of desire to actually sew a shirtdress.

B5850 - This would be a cute party dress, especially for the holidays.
I think the bow might be a bit voluminous for me though.

B5851 - A nice sheath dress.

B5858 - I actually like this top and skirt (there are also pants, but they are a bit boring),
but I don't know if I would ever actually wear them.

B5859 - A fun wardrobe pattern.

B5859 - I actually like the top and skirt, but, again, I don't know if I would ever really wear them.

There were also a lot of looks that were following more modern trends:

B5847 - The exposed zipper is used in a sort of interesting way here,
but I am not really a fan of the overall shaping on this dress.

B5852 - Super Sexy Color Blocking!
I actually really love this design, just maybe not in those specific fabrics.

B5849 - This dress reminds me of the design from the 2011 September Burda magazine -
except the collar is much more wearable here!  This one is also going on my list of must-buys.

B5857 - Another knit top.  Similar to other patterns I already have,
and yet, who can resist a knit top pattern?

B5862 - I love the draping on this knit dress.

B5836 - I like this simple dress, but I already have a few Burda patterns that are similar,
so I don't really feel a need to acquire this pattern.

There were also a few fun craft patterns that actually weren't too bad:

B5864 - Retro doll's clothes that are actually really cute!

B5865 - More Retro doll's clothes.

B5841 - iPad/iPad mini protective cases.  Perhaps a great thing to sew as holiday gifts?

Also, since it seems like there are quite a few soon-to-be-mamas out there in the sewing blog-o-sphere, I thought I would give a mention to the two maternity patterns:

B5855 - This is actually a loose-fitting tunic, but I think it works better when they style it for maternity.
I do like the sleeves quite a bit, and there is some variety with this pattern.

B5860 - This is actually a really cute maternity dress!  This pattern also has some
maternity pants, so it could be quite useful for the future moms out there.

Though I did find quite a few patterns I really liked, there are still a few patterns that are worthy of a little ridicule:

B5848 - Cocoon sack dress.  I think the mullet hem really just makes it look like a nightgown.

B5856 - Maybe it is just the fabric, but, honestly, the top just looks really sloppy.

B5854 - This must have been really easy to sew,
since it was clearly fashioned out of curtains that had a dust ruffle at the bottom.

B5853 - I just can't get passed that bow!  It is literally growing out of her bust!  I mean, I am not a bow person anyway, but this is horrible.  Worse than any butt-bow ever worn on any terrible bridesmaid dress ever.  Trying to keep it classy here, but it is taking a lot of restraint to avoid jokes about how cold it might get at those holiday parties and thoughts that her pasties need tassels.  Ummm, yeah.  So much for classy.  And, yes, yes, if you left it off the dress would be fine whatever, but now that I have seen the bow I can't un-see the bow.  Horrendous.

So, now that I have collectively blinded everyone's mind's eyes with that last image... I ask, what do you all think?  For me, overall it is a pretty good collection, but not without some (hilariously bad) missteps.  What do you all think about the retro-inspired looks?  Or are you a fan of the more modern trends?  Is there anything you are dying to make from this collection, or are you board because you have seen it all before?  Feel free to discuss in the comments!

Newsflash: BurdaStyle December Preview Posted

Perhaps a better title for this post would be, "BurdaStyle: A Redemption Story."  As you might recall, I was none too thrilled by the early preview of this issue.  Luckily, the early preview showcased most of the boring patterns from this issue, instead of the good stuff.  When I looked through the full preview on the Russian website, I found plenty to like!  Though this issue definitely trends more towards the fancy holiday party side of things, there are still a good number of every-day wearable patterns included as well.  And, actually, I think that depending on fabric choices a lot of these patterns could go either way - be super dressy or classic but casual.  In any case, here is a look at December:

Firstly, I have to say that if I were going to any fancy dress parties I would be totally set.

So pretty!  Actually this would be a great holiday dress -
not too over the top, but still fancy enough for the occasion.

Not super exciting, but still a nice party dress.

The long version of the gold dress - probably not as versatile, but still so pretty!

Hmmm... I think I like the shorter version of this better.

This is supposed to be a dress, but I think the fabric makes it look a little nightgown-ish.

Sparkles!

Sparkles!

Sparkles!

Though not everything in this issue was all fun and sparkles - there were a lot of "every day" wearable sorts of things as well:

Bright happy skirt.
Is anyone else craving watermelon now?

I actually really like this, though perhaps not in Pepto Bismal Pink velvet.

I feel like this skirt would be fun to swoosh in.

This tunic/dress is pretty, though it was not styled well in the magazine.

A bit Puritanical?  Perhaps a bit dowdy for my taste.

I do like this vintage dress though.

Here is a look at the line drawing.

This dress I love!  It feels very unexpected when compared to other patterns in this issue.

Line drawing - it looks like it might require a fair bit of really precise sewing.

Also, the coats in this issue are fabulous!  So much good stuff...

Oooooooh!  I love everything about this.

This one feels a bit... Steampunk?  And yet, I still rather like it.  And more yummy piping!

I can't decide if the poofy peplum looks messy or cute.

Swoon!  I LOVE this coat.  Classic, chic, stylish.  This is totally on the must make list.

I also really like this brocade jacket - very pretty.

The seaming is quite interesting as well.

And it is also available in a longer style too!

I also really like this happy coat.
Though I can't decide - if I made one out of fleece would I look fabulous or crazy?

I must admit, I do like the curved seams at the top.

Another interesting jacket, though I am a bit confused - is this the back?

The line drawing seems to make a bit more sense.

Though, really, this blue jacket is probably my favorite of the three bright ones.
It would make a great casual piece for running errands and the like.

I don't even really mind the giant patch pockets.

And, well, this Burda Plus section was sort of a mixed bag this time:

Pretty or crazy?

Here I question fabric choice, not the pattern.

I do love this vest though.

And the VaVaVoom dress!

I thought this looked sorta familiar...

But after I saw the line drawing I realized...

It is the same as last year's dress!

And, finally, although this issue has mostly redeemed itself, there are still a few patterns that left me shaking my head...

The dust ruffle sleeves... ugh.  The fabric choice doesn't help one bit either.

The vest alone would be fine, but the sewn-in sleeves just make me shake my head.
I mean, if  you are going to sew on sleeves to reduce bulk, why make them so puffy?

All in all though, I think this is a pretty great issue.  I mean, I was worried about getting a totally drab and uninspiring issue.  But the one section of bold colors and the other section full of metallics make it a bit more happy.  Not to mention, there are some great patterns in this issue.  I thought this issue was going to be really depressing, but instead it is more like this:

I feel like I just got a pony!

Ok, well, maybe not exactly like I just got a pony, but, you know, I am at least pleasantly surprised.  And as such I am having a really difficult time picking the best pattern of the magazine.  I am torn between two dresses and two jackets.  Hmmmm....  I suppose in the end I am going to have to give the Best of BS December 2012 to:

Gold party dress!

I think this dress is perfect - elegant, stylish, yet the neckline makes it conservative enough to wear to a family dinner.  The fact that it comes in two lengths is nice as well.  And I think that, depending on fabric choice, this dress could be very wearable in "real life" and not just at fabulous celebrations.  For those of you who are wondering - yes, the navy military inspired jacket came in a close second, but I decided it wasn't as versatile as this dress.  My other top choices were the gold metallic jacket (with the lapels) and the black and white graphic dress.

Now, for the worst of this month.  I thought this was pretty obvious, though I could see why others might disagree with my choice, but I have given BWTF December award to:

Vest with sleeves!

No.  Just no.  Those sleeves are atrocious and just make it look like the faux shirt is too big and the vest is too small.  Just get a shirt that fits and make the vest separately.  It looks like you could fit football pads under those sleeves.

And that is that!  Hard to believe this is the last issue of 2012.  I mean, I know we are going to get the January issue before the year is out, but, still, it is strange to think that the year is almost finished.  Time is flying and I really wish it would slow down for just a bit, because it feel like I have too much to do and not enough time to get it all done.

In any case, what do you all think of this issue?  Are you happy with the patterns, or do you find it all rather boring and dull?  Are the few patterns using bright colors, metallics, and sequins enough for you to forgive the fact that a majority of this magazine is featuring dark colors and conservative styles that would have shown up at the first Thanksgiving?  What is the final verdict - December, yay or nay?  Feel free to discuss in the comments!