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!

Newsflash: Videos of New Skating Dances

This year USARS introduced 8 new dances into competition. (The Princeton Polka doesn't count - it has been around forever, but mostly used in solo, and the team diagram wasn't in the USARS dance book, but it has been used in the RSA test program for the past decade. Ergo, NOT a new dance.  I suppose technically the Terenzi Waltz and Kent Tango aren't new either, as they are skated internationally, but here in the US the dances are "new.")  Anyway, most of the new dances were recently demonstrated at a skating seminar, and I thought it might be informative for those of you who are interested.

EDIT 11/14/2012:  The Quickstep Boogie has been added!

Videos of new dances are posted after the break!

(Lack of) Sewing Progress

I am a bit frustrated because the sewing mojo is high - I have a lot of projects I want to make, it is finally getting cold out, so I can actually wear the coats on my list, and my brain keeps wandering to all the things I want to sew.  Not to mention all the fabulous sewing projects popping up on other blogs being so annoyingly inspiring.  In spite of all this, sewing progress has been lacking.  Mostly due to my thesis writing efforts, but also partially because once said thesis writing efforts have been finished, stash relocation will be necessary in all likelihood, so I have been preemptively relocating a lot of my sewing materials. Which I think will be good because then everything will be located with my sewing machines, but it has been a bit disruptive to my sewing process.  So I have a lot of things sort of quasi-started but nothing remotely close to being finished.  Here is an assessment of my sewing progress as of the moment:

(1) Ok, so in my last sewing-related post, I mentioned that I had started work on my metallic trench coat projects, featuring the BurdaStyle 11-2012-118 pattern:

So far I haven't done much - I have traced the pattern and cut it out, but no muslin as of yet.  I am going to keep working on this, but because of the stash relocation, my cutting space is a bit tight at the moment, so it is a bit difficult to find the room to cut out such large pieces.  So in all reality I am probably going to end up working on the other projects I have sort of started before I get around to finishing this coat.

(2)  Since my sewing system is in disruption mode at the moment, I found it easier to be tracing patterns than actually cutting fabric and sewing it, so I thought I would get a jump on the other project I wanted to try and finish before the end of the year, my teal blazer project:

BS-07-2011-119

I have been obsessed with this pattern ever since the magazine came out last year (this will actually be my 3rd pattern from that issue, so I guess I am getting my money's worth for that one), and I have been meaning to make this as part of my year-long sewing challenge, but I have been putting off tracing the pattern.  (Ummm, yeah, it is kind of annoyingly detailed and it is printed in RED on the same sheet as some of the really large pink "extra" pattern pieces and thusly very hard to trace.  I woulda just said "aww screw it" if I didn't really really like this pattern.)  Anyway, so this pattern is also traced, cut out, and last night I snuck in a bit of sewing time in order to fit a muslin.  Actually the fit was mostly pretty good right away, but I still need to do a few alterations.  I am pinching in the back ever so slightly to accomodate my swayback, though this pattern needs less adjustment than most.  Also, in this pattern it is really evident that I need to make a square-shoulder adjustment.  I don't think I have done this before, but I have the tell-tale riding up around the back neck area, and when I add shoulder pads it just exacerbates the problem (and I definitely want to use shoulder pads for structural purposes).  It won't be a major adjustment, probably about 1/2" or so.  I also need to do a full upper arm adjustment on the sleeves.  Actually, I noticed with this pattern it seems more close-fitting than a lot of other Burda jackets I have tried, but I think that is because (1) it is supposed to be a fitted blazer and (2) it is supposed to be made out of sweatshirting material and thus would theoretically have a bit more stretch in the fabric.  My fabric actually is quite stretchy, but I want to add a full lining, so it can't be too tight.  The original pattern only calls for a half lining (since it is supposed to be a lightweight summer pattern) but I want a full lining, so I sort of drafted my own lining patterns (only tricky for the front because the front facing is a bit oddly shaped dur to the dart position).  I am *hoping* what I plan is going to end up alright.  Anyway, this will probably sneak ahead of my trench coat in the production line, simply because the smaller pattern pieces are much easier to deal with in my current jumbled situation.  Not to mention, level of construction detail is much less (as in fewer pieces to cut and fewer details so sew), which could be nice right now.  I wouldn't expect to see a finished jacket anytime soon, but, on the other hand, with a Monday holiday maybe I can sneak some sewing time in.  I am currently trying to convince myself that this would be a good pattern for my first attempt at a bagged lining since there aren't any vents or other hem details.

(3) Tutorial skating costumes are cut out and ready to sew, but I haven't really started on them yet, mainly because I think I need to replace the blades on my serger.  I have noticed the last few projects that it has been getting a bit gummed up when sewing through some fabrics that it should have been treating like butter, and I am fairly certain that the knife blades have been dulled to the point where I need to change them.  Which I can do, but haven't mainly because I am lazy but also because I have only one set of spare parts right now and previous experience has taught me that one should ALWAYS have a spare set of serger blades hanging about.  Always.  So, I am going to maybe hopefully order another back-up set, so I can put some fresh blades on and go from there.  I have the first section of the tutorials written, but I do want to make sure the whole thing is complete before I post them (can't commit to a timeline right now and I don't want to leave anyone hanging).  I will get to work on the sewing and construction posts when I can, and the tutorial is still coming.  Just really really slowly.

So, overall, ummm, yeah.  Sewing progress has been minimal.  Actually, due to new-boot breaking in awkwardness, skating progress has felt a bit minimal too.  Though today I was starting to finally feel like I could almost bend and push again.  Almost.  And, well, honestly "real life" has been in a giant holding pattern ever since I started really working on my thesis writing.  So, right now, nothing really feels like it is progressing in any meaningful fashion.  But, well, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting a bit brighter.  Of course, it remains to be seen if that light is the outside world calling or a giant train about to steamroll right over me.

The Page Number Happy Dance

Ok, I don't typically post "real life" things here, BUT I am going to make an exception because I finally got LaTeX to number pages in the format required for my super long thesis document.

Me, after pagination worked out.
(Picture from realitytvgifs)

I still have a ton of work to do, but I have wasted nearly a week trying to get the page numbers to look correct (the problem was that the style had to change mid-document).  I am sure the LaTeX gurus out there are just shaking their heads, but, well, I have only used it to write articles before, and never such a long document.  The memoir class has saved my butt, even if it has screwed up a lot of the other formatting I already had in place, but even so we are still on good terms.

(Also, for those of you who are unaware, LaTeX is sort of like Word for people who want their documents, especially those with mathematical formulas, to look good.  Basically it has lots of fancy nice typesetting properties, but it also has a pretty steep learning curve.  I figured it would be the path of least resistance, and, well, I still think I was right on that account, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been major headaches along the way.)

Book Review: The Emperor's Soul

Life has gotten super busy lately ("real life" work is heading into crunch time, skating obligations are picking up, and I am slogging along on my trench coat project), so I have to admit I am really surprised I actually managed to read a book for fun in the meantime.  Of course, to be fair, I read it in 2-page chunks as I worked on scanning some out-of-print skating books.  It was the sort of thing where I couldn't really focus on school-related reading projects because of the constant interruptions, but where it would have been pointless to not do something while the pages were being scanned.  So, I decided to read through the latest book by Brandon Sanderson, The Emperor's Soul.

I have been reading Brandon's work ever since he was chosen to finish the Wheel of Time series, and I must admit that he has quickly become one of my favorite story tellers.  I find that all of his books are quick to read, and are full of interesting characters and interesting ideas.  I always enjoy the way he crafts his worlds and magic systems - there is always something realistic and utilitarian about them, even though they are fantastical and set in completely made-up worlds.

I found that, while The Emperor's Soul does demonstrate many of the typical hallmarks of Sanderson's style, it is also somewhat of a departure from his other works.  Most of Brandon's works comprise of a group of fun and interesting characters using a fascinating magic system to overcome some long-term problem faced by a society.  (This is not always the case, but, in general it is.  Of course, that is probably because that is the general structure of most fantasy and sci-fi stories, but, you know, the format works well.)  Typically his stories involve the characters running about quite a bit, with many changes of settings and locations.  Which is why it is very interesting to note that the majority of this story takes place in a single room.  Instead of Brandon using his characters to explore the world that he has created, he uses his magic system to allow for a very introspective look at the characters.  While the story may not be as inherently exciting as some of his other works, it was still a compelling read.  It allows a reader to see how people become what they are, and it offers the reader an opportunity to examine their own past and question how life events have shaped their own choices and behaviors.

Overall I found The Emperor's Soul to be a quick and interesting read.  Like all of Brandon's works I found it to be a fun escape from the real world, even if only for a few hours.  It can certainly stand on its own merits, however, I feel that it would be best read in the context of some of Sanderson's other works.  I would recommend new readers to Brandon Sanderson start with Elantris, Mistborn, or Warbreaker and then branch into his other works from there.  For those who have read any of Sanderson's other stories, I think The Emperor's Soul is a great addition to his collection of other works and I highly recommend it.

Sewing Plans: Trendy Metallic RTW Inspired Trench Coat

Firstly, for those of you who have been through the storms on the East Coast and have been able to give the all-ok on your blogs - I am happy you made it through!  For those who haven't been able to post yet - I hope you are doing ok too!  I realize there is a lot of flooding and there are a lot of power outages and in either case blog posting is probably really low on the priority list, but I hope we are able to hear good news from you soon.

Now, on to the actual post.

Ok, so I have already decided to take the pressure off myself in terms of finishing my year-long sewing challenge.  I mean, I might still make my final goals (I need to make 2 more projects, at least one from the Tim-approved list), but life got super busy this year, and although I feel like I spent a lot of time sewing, less of that was for me than normal.  And I still want my sewing projects through the end of the year to at least pertain to the challenge, even if they aren't the Tim-approved garments.  In any case, we all know I have been obsessed with the trench coat pattern in the latest Burda:

Burda Trench Goodness!

Well, part of this obsession has to do with my general love of classic shapes and modern details, but another part has to do with my excitement over using this pattern as part of my "RTW Knockoff" item for this year.  So many other sewing bloggers do such a great job of translating runway designs to real life wearable fashion, and I really admire the ability to do that.  So, I am going to attempt to knockoff one of the current runway trends, but it is probably one of the least versatile and most frivolous - metallics.  A lot of the metallic designs are rather flashy and not necessarily as "wearable" as other looks I could attempt to replicate, but, on the other hand, I really want to make something sort of frivolous and fantastic and beautiful and just because I want to make it.  Especially right now when real life is feeling, well, less than glamorous.  So, therefore, metallic trench coat.

I was really inspired by the metallic rainbow Burberry Spring 2013 collection:

Metallic trench coats!

The front gun flap details are a similar shape as the Burda pattern.

I have also been looking at older Burberry coats for inspirations as well:

Just a few days after seeing the Burda early preview and about a month after the Burberry runway show was all over the news, I found this amazingly loud fabric at Joann fabrics:

Loud.  As in yelling "take me home!"  A plan was hatched, and it slowly started pushing all other plans out of the way.  It was something I had considered putting off until later, especially since I have so many other sewing projects planned, but then I figured, when else would one make a metallic snake print trench coat?  I mean, honestly, for this project, the time is now.  And so it shall be.

So, them's the plans.  Fabric.  Pattern.  Inspiration.  Now just all the hard work of fitting and cutting and sewing it all together.  I think the trick to this project is going to be making the coat look "legitimate" - I want it to look expensive, not tacky.  And I want it to look like fashion, not costume.  Over the top, yes, but like I picked it up at an end-of-season sale at one of those giant pop-up Halloween stores, no, not so much.  I am hoping that an appropriate choice of coordinating fabrics and using the Burda pattern's idea of piping, I can add enough details and depth to the coat to prevent it from looking like a shiny foiled Christmas gift wrapping.  At least, that's my hope.  Or I could just end up looking ridiculous.  Remains to be seen.  But, in my brian at least, this will be fabulous.  I have decided I will make it fabulous.

...at least, I hope.  Wish me luck.