I have a large collection of Burda World of Fashion pattern magazines. I started my subscription in the 1980's after I discovered a Spanish language issue on the newsstand in Cancun, Mexico. It was my favorite souvenir of that vacation trip. Yes, in the early days I was intimidated by the need to trace the patterns, and though I admired the garments featured in the magazines each month, many were beyond my skill level. But now I consider those old issues to be a wonderful extension of my pattern collection. While I might not have been able to use them to their full extent back then, they have since proven to be a wonderful resource as my lifestyle, size, and sewing skills changed. Many of the garment styles are classics and look current when made in the latest fabrics. I can now trace a pattern in about 30 minutes and I appreciate the benefits of fitting and altering a pattern with no seam allowances. My sewing skills have improved. I don't need to rely on the magazine instructions which can sometimes be difficult to follow. My size has changed over the years, but whatever size I am is available in those magazines. When my sons came into my life, I searched the back issues for baby clothes and later pants and shirt patterns. The Burda kids patterns always fit my sons better than those of the big 4 pattern companies. And as my sons grew, I just traced a bigger size of a favorite pattern. When I read that someone is giving away old issues of Burda WOF magazines citing reasons like "no styles I like" or "too much work tracing the patterns and adding seam allowances", I shake my head and think to myself, "They don't realize the value of what they are giving away!" At least in the blog sphere, there is a good chance their discarded issues will find a loving, appreciative home.
Where am I going with all this? Well, the last two additions to my wardrobe were inspired by recent fashion photos, but the patterns were from Burda WOF back issues.
The first was a blouse. I loved this Jennifer Chun blouse, from her Fall Winter 2012 collection, in a silk foulard print with contrasting paisley print trim.
Finding the fabrics for a similar look was not an easy task. The main silk fabric came from Fashionista Fabrics, which unfortunately is shutting down its Internet site. And the contrast silk fabric was purchased from an Etsy shop. The pattern, a classic woman's blouse with bust darts, shoulder yoke and sewn on placket is from Burda 9-2009.
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| Burda 9-2009 105 |
I drafted the pattern pocket myself. I love the fabric combo and it really livens up a black suit.
The second item was a pair of color blocked pants. Many designers showed color blocked pants for Fall 2011, and the same styles have shown up in RTW this winter.
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| Derek Lam |
The pattern I used is from Burda 5-2006, pants pattern 112. They were shown made from one fabric, but the style lines matched those of the color blocked inspiration pants. I modified the curve of the pocket opening. Curved pocket openings are often found on jeans and casual clothing. A slanted opening is more tailored and replicates the inspiration pants.To keep the color blocking somewhat subdued, I used black and dark green worsted wool that has been in my stash for ages.
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| Burda 5-2005 112 |
Colored blocked pants are showing up for spring. But I will leave this particular fabric combination to tall, young girls like Taylor Swift, who is wearing them in the photo below .
