Caprig's Full Review: Burda World Of Fashion Magazine
It was so long ago that I can barely remember what year it was, but I know that it was in the late 1980's or so. I used to frequent the So Fro store and got to know a girl there that was a lot of fun to talk to.
She had just gotten back from Austria where she had seen this remarkable magazine called BURDA. She said that it had sewing patterns right IN the magazine and that some of them were even HIGH FASHION!
Wow, a magazine with high fashion sewing patterns in it- what a dream. I remember praying one night for this magazine to come to the US. I really wanted to see what it was like. Then I forgot about it.
One day I was in Border's books and happened to see they had a sewing section. In that section, there was a magazine that looked familiar....Burda.....Burda.....where had I heard of that?....
Then it hit me- IT WAS HERE!!!!!
I grabbed the magazine and ran to the counter almost screaming with hilarity at finding this treasure.
I devoured the magazine from cover to cover and even tried tracing out a pattern to use. Unfortunately, the sizing was only for small people, and I am not small.
Regardless, I subscribed to it as soon as I could and have continued the subscription ever since.
Over the years, Burda has come a long way. It originates in Germany, and the copies I get are translated in England and forwarded to GERMAN LANGUAGE PUBLICATIONS who is responsible for US distribution.
The sizes have been standardized to encompass larger sized women, and there are more of them too.
WHAT IS BURDA MAGAZINE LIKE?
BURDA WORLD OF FASHION is one of the few remaining magazines that BURDA has kept going. It encompasses all kinds of sewing from casual, to urban, to high fashion. Several times a year, they have featured patterns for Maternity, men, toddlers, young children, petites, and tall women.
Let's take a stroll through the MARCH 2008 issue of BURDA WORLD OF FASHION:
The cover is usually a model which is wearing one of the patterns inside the magazine. In this case, she has on a flowered contoured top.
The title page has several photos of what is inside with page numbers. Here is the layout of the contents:
FASHION
6 COLOUR TREND (Azure is the new shade of blue)
14 UPDATE (Silver metallics turn plain cut garments into highlights)
28 CASUALS (Floral Prints Flourish on free-time fashion)
63 EXTRA (Dreamy bridal dresses for big and small weddings)
73 EXCLUSIVE DESIGN ( An evening dress by Barbara Schwarzer)
74 PLUS FASHION (Sporty Yachting- style fashion in sizes 44-52 by the Hamburg label OLSEN BLUE)
80 BURDA CHILDREN- (Witty Girls' clothes from the Paris WOWO label)
ACCESSORIES
13 CASUALS (From eyewear to bags- everything's got the blues!)
24 SHOES (The new summer footwear for every occasion)
FEATURES
70 EXCLUSIVE DESIGN- (Why top Dusseldorf designer Barbara Schwarzer prefers creating event fashion)
84 CHILDRENSWEAR (Meet unconventional designer Elizabeth Relin from the WOWO Children's label)
CREATIVE
85 EASTER DECORATIONS (Are very romantic this year...)
93 EGGING ON (Unusual, last-minute Easter decoration ideas)
AT YOUR SERVICE
4 PUBLISHERS MASTHEAD
94 PREVIEW FOR ISSUE 4/2008
95 STOCKLIST/SUPPLIER LIST
SUPPLEMENT (the paper booklet that has the pattern instructions and information inside essential for using the enclosed patterns)
ALL STYLES AT A GLANCE
TAKING MEASUREMENTS
SEWING INSTRUCTIONS
ILLUSTRATED SEWING COURSE
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE
Inside BURDA you find all kinds of high quality photos of fashionable clothing. There is always a layout of photos which outline every single piece of clothing that you will find a pattern for inside the magazine. This issue is very color specific.
There is the blue collection- everything is blue- a skirt, top and pants, as well as jacket.
Then there is the floral set- all red florals- several tops and two dresses.
There is a silver section- blouses, dress, jacket, skirt and pants all in icy silver.
A white section (wedding) has dressier clothing- long dresses, short dresses, jackets.
The PLUS section has several pants, a pair of cropped pants, two jackets and two shirts.
The childrens area has two jumpers, a doll, two pair of very cute shorts and a shirt and tie for a little boy.
The designer evening dress is heavily gathered and elegant.
PATTERNS INSIDE?
There are always 40-50 patterns inside each issue of this monthly magazine. Each pattern is included in the insert in the issue. The insert is printed on newsprint and the patterns are printed on both sides of the pattern pages.
You have to loosen the staple and then pull the pattern pages out of the magazine.
After unfolding the pages, you have to find the pattern pieces you need (which are listed on the instruction section of the insert).
Then you use tissue paper and trace out the patterns that you need in the proper size.
Sometimes you have to do sections of pattern pieces,matching Xs to get a long piece.
After you have traced out the pieces, you need to refer to the instructions to find out what seam allowances you have to add to each piece. Most of the time it calls for 1/2 inch, but hems are usually a few inches to allow for height alterations.
The instructions are mostly words, and few diagrams. You have to be rather good at sewing to follow them at first.
Once you get used to the lack of diagrams, they are fairly easy to follow. I would recommend that you have a sewing resource book like Simplicity sewing, Reader's Digest Sewing book or Vogue Sewing reference book.
WHAT ARE BURDA PATTERNS LIKE?
BURDA WORLD OF FASHION patterns run a little differently than the usual patterns you buy at the fabric store in the US. The pants tend to be cut a little on the bias, allowing for a more comfortable crotch seam.
Upper arms are usually pretty slim, so if you have heavy upper arms, be prepared to alter.
The waist measurements tend to be bigger than many US patterns, which is a good factor if you run a little thicker in the waist.
Most of the patterns fit very well and tend to be worth the effort to make them. I have made many patterns from this magazine over the years and am usually very pleased with them.
WHAT DO I THINK OF THIS MAGAZINE?
My favorite BURDA magazine was BURDA INTERNATIONAL (just like VOGUE but it had the patterns in it, which I loved), but they discontinued it.
BURDA WORLD OF FASHION is a wonderful magazine. There are very few ads in it, and they used to have a fabulous recipe section, but they got rid of it, sadly.
The craft section is not very good most of the time, and now and then they do have knitting patterns as well.
The patterns are cutting edge (pardon the pun ;) ), and stylish. Getting this magazine assures being up to date with patterns.
With 40-50 patterns per magazine, it is a far better value than buying scads of patterns at the fabric store.
I have found that I rarely buy patterns at the fabric store since getting BURDA WORLD OF FASHION magazine- I get most of what I need- as I never throw them out, unless it is a really bad issue, which I have not gotten yet.
Burda patterns that you find in JoAnn Fabrics are based upon similar patterns as what you find in the magazine, but often they have a lot more than what is in the magazine.
WHAT I LIKE
I love the fact that there are many different people's needs met with this magazine.
Men's patterns show up twice a year or so.
Young Fashion is in every magazine.
Wedding patterns show up once a year
Communion patterns show up once a year
Maternity patterns show up at least once a year.
Mardi Gras (forgot the European name for it) once a year
Holiday patterns show up twice a year.
There are many other features that show up in this magazine, making it very fun and interesting to get- knowing that you can make each pattern is delightful.
WHAT I DON'T LIKE
I miss the recipes. Sounds silly, but I do. It broke up the sewing nicely.
The craft section is usually very crude and not very sophisticated.
I hate throwing any away because of all of the great patterns in them!
FINAL COMMENTS
BURDA WORLD OF FASHION is an exciting magazine and I am glad that I keep getting it year after year. Every time I think that perhaps I might stop my subscription, I see some fabulous issues and keep right on going.
A yearly subscription is $80 for 12 issues. That is a little over $6.50 an issue. Considering the price of patterns, it is a great investment. I always find at least one pattern I like in each issue, and often I find many more.
If you want to subscribe- go to
www.glpnews.com
They have sample issues available for purchase, but other than that, I have no longer seen these magazines at any store or location. They must be purchased via subscription or through GLP NEWS.
The magazine comes sealed in a plastic bag around the first of the month that it is for- such as the MARCH issue came here on February 29th.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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