Burda July Early Preview Posted

The Russian Burda website has posted the early preview of the July issue of the magazine.  Based on the early photos... I am worried.  Based on the photos over at P-an-da's website, I am slightly less worried.  The official announcement shows a bunch of frumpy 80s-inspired looks, sack dresses, and mom-daughter matching outfits.  P-an-da's photos show some cute wrap dresses that might save this issue for me.  But there are enough questionable choices that I am worried about the upcoming fall issues.  Though I can't really judge until the line drawings are out.  So, until then, I will wait (impatiently) and get back to sewing my current commissioned projects.

This dress has the potential to be so pretty!
A bit difficult to see the detail with the camouflage background effect.
Excited to see the line drawing though.

Not such a fan of this design - the overly ruffly dropped waist
reminds me too much of bad things from the 80s.

Potentially nice basic blouse, and possibly interesting skirt.

The top is ok, and the skirt might be cute,
but the pair of them just feels like too much volume.

A bit difficult to see any details on this dress.
The photography and dress remind me of Patrones pictures from the early- to mid-2000s.

Ok, I think this dress could be cute, but they made
some unfortunate choices in deciding on
the combinations of their color blocking.

Nothing wrong with this dress, just not overly excited by it.

Ah, it had been too long since out last sack dress.

I can't even come up with the words... Ugh.

This maxi dress makes me think of hippies.

Matching sack shirts for everyone!

Actually this dress isn't too bad.  I think the pairing with the child's
dress makes it look a bit juvenile though.

The Burda Plus section - maybe a few useful pieces?
Not terribly a fan of that skirt though.

This dress is pretty cute though.  Basic, but nice for summer.

Not loving this maxi.  Hiding the dust ruffle at the hem
improves it markedly though.

So, as you can see, I was leaning towards the boring/ugly side of the fence with most of these photos.  Luckily, P-an-da had additional images which did something to mollify my trepidation:

Want!

Is there a ruffle down the far side of the dress?
I can't wait to see the line drawing on this design!

So, umm, yeah.  July may not be as bad as I originally feared, but I am still going to wait for line drawings before I declare this issue a winner.  I am hoping I stay impressed with these dresses though - Burda has been on such a hot streak lately it would be great if they could continue to produce so much awesomeness in the next few issues as well.

Newsflash: McCall's Special Pattern Release and Thoughts on June Burda

McCall's just announced a special new pattern release:

M7000 - The "Winter Princess" Pattern

Clearly, McButtVogue realized they were missing out on a crap-ton of money by not having an obvious Frozen knockoff costume pattern.  I would be fascinated to see the sales stats on this pattern - from what I've heard it has been rather difficult for desperate parents to get enough Frozen merchandise for their kids (or themselves).  It has gotten to the point where the theme parks have an average wait time of 4 hours to meet the princesses, and the stores are raffling off the chance to purchase an official costume.  My prediction: this pattern is going to sell like hotcakes.

In other news, my June Burda finally showed up (yes, I know, I always get it later than almost everyone else), and there are a few new-ish features that I am sort of excited about.  First is a segment where Burda chooses one pattern and adds embellishment of fabric changes to highlight the versatility of the pattern.  They started doing this a few months back, but I am glad they have decided to continue this segment.  New this month is a segment where Burda mixes various patterns from the current magazine and shows some more practical ways to wear and style the pieces (ie, we aren't wearing a sequin top to go fishing in this segment).  I know they've had similar segments in the past, though they used to mix pieces from different issues.  I really like seeing the patterns styled in a more wearable way with common affordable accessories, so I hope this segment continues in future issues.

I like seeing a pattern done up in different fabric - it can really provide inspiration
on a pattern I had originally written off.

Love this new Burda section!  It is great to see all of the pieces in a mix-n-match
format that highlights the pattern's wardrobe versatility.

So, anyone else excited by these new additions to the Burda magazine?  Or am I just easily amused?

Newsflash: June Burda Preview Posted

The full preview for the June issue has been posted over on the Russian Burda website.  I have to say that while I absolutely loved the last two issues, I'm only lukewarm on this one.  There are a few things I really like, a lot of things that are ok, and a more than a few pieces that leave me scratching my head.  Let's take a look:

There were a few things (mostly dresses) that I really liked in this issue:

Love this dress!  So pretty for summer.
A bit sad it is in the petite sizes.
Just means more work for me.

The front drape looks... interesting.  Can't wait to see what the pattern pieces look like.

Basic knit dress.
I do rather like the neckline shape though.

Based on the line drawing looks like it would be pretty easy to make.

And I think it looks pretty fantastic on the model.
Ok, this is going on my to-make list.

Another pretty sheath dress.

Actually I rather like all of the details on this dress - even the extra shoulder pieces.

Yup, this one is going on my list too.

Another pretty dress.  I really like the silhouette.

This blouse is cute!  Love the contrast straps.

I actually rather like the shape of these trousers too.

Not sure how I feel about the zipper, but I like the other details.

And they look pretty awesome on the model.
Might not be the best shape for my body type though... Hmmm...

Love this basic tank top.

Perfect for summer workout gear.

There are tons of shorts patterns in this issue.
The buttons on these are particularly cute though.

Love these drawstring shorts too - great for beach cover ups.

Not sure how practical they are in sequin material though.

I also really like this version, which looks even more like traditional board shorts.

Not sure I would want the cargo pockets, but I might be more comfortable
with the length on this style than the length on the other versions.

There were even more things things that left me feeling very meh.  Not bad, but not particularly exciting either:

These oversized sweater tops seem to be quite popular lately,
and I'm sure it would be great for layering.  Just don't know that I
find it particularly exciting.  Though it is growing on me the more I look at it.

Maxi skirt.  This is nice, but not anything new.
I do like the wide yoke though, and this skirt could
easily be adapted to shorter lengths.

I'm a bit on the fence about the blouse.  I don't dislike it,
but I'm not sure if I'm overly excited by it either.

Sweatpants.  Meh.

This dress is ok, but not overly exciting.

I think I liked the design elements better for the top.

Another dress that looks very similar to styles we've seen before.
Another meh.

Ruffly tunic.  Is pretty, but that is mostly due to fabric choice.

Another oversized tunic button-front shirt.
I do like the pin tucks though.

I have to say, this jacket is rather interesting.
Not my particular style, but interesting nonetheless. 

Tube top.  Great for the beach, but not overly exciting from a design perspective.

Shorts with weird flap things.  I have been trying to decide
how I feel about these since the early preview came out.
I'm still not quite sure what I think.

The flaps just seem so... unnecessary.  I think I don't hate them,
but I also think I probably wouldn't wear them.

Vest with pockets.  Umm, as much as Burda tries to make this look like
high fashion I just see a fishing vest.  Made from leftover quilt fabric.
Not my favorite.  

The Burda Plus section is a bit of a mixed bag as well:

This dress isn't too bad, but there may be just a bit too much
going on with all of the ruffles being everywhere.

I like the more streamlined version much better.
It has a lovely neckline and great classic shape.

I also really like the design of this ruched-front dress.
Not really a fan of the fabric Burda picked for this particular look.

But the design itself is pretty awesome.  Definitely something my sister would wear.

I actually rather liked this tunic top as well.

Not as in love with this tunic top - the volume is a bit overwhelming.

The front slits do give it a bit of interest though.

Not a fan of these pants however -
way too much going on around the hips.

Yeah, not really loving these in combination on the model  -
I feel like there is way too much volume going on,
or the proportions are off, or something.

And then, of course, there was the crazy:

Oddly shaped overalls.  Ick.

Something about the way the top and bottom meet
just forces the body to look very pear shaped.

This drapey tunic top looks ok until...

...You could fit three people in there!

Overly ruffly skirt.  Would be better suited for the children's section methinks.

This jumpsuit actually isn't terrible...

...Except for the bow at the bust.
It looks unnecessary and sort of awkward.

I like it even less in this crazy striped fabric.
Without the bust bow I think it might not be too bad.

Not a fan of this dress.  It just looks frumpy.
Like an oversized shirt more than a dress.

And that's it!  Which means it is time to do my picks for best and worst patterns in this issue.  It was a bit difficult to choose my top design - there are several dresses I am really loving, but I had to give my Best of Burda for June 2014 to:

One shoulder draped dress!

I really love the design of this dress, and depending on fabric choice (and by altering the length) it could easily be made for evening wear or kept as a day dress.

As far as the worst pattern of the month, well, it seemed pretty obvious that BWTF goes to:

Most unflattering overalls EVER.

Ok, I have to say it - if it makes the model look frumpy and un-proportional, there is no way it is going to look good on a normal person.  And why would you pair it with a sequined top to go fishing?  I don't even know what is going on in this picture...  Ack.  Yeah, these overalls are definitely on my list of questionable Burda styling choices.

So, what do you all think?  Is June continuing the string of good issues?  Or do you find yourself board with this month's options?  What are your top and bottom picks?  Anyone else feeling the need to make shorts for summer? (We are already heading into triple digits out here.)  What do you all think about the shorts with the weird flaps on them?  Fashionable?  Bizarre?  Fun?  Feel free to discuss and debate in the comments!