The preview for the July BurdaStyle Magazine has been posted. I feel like I should be underwhelmed with this month’s selection, yet, somehow, I’m not. True, there are probably only 2 or 3 stand out patterns that have me close to swooning, but I’m actually pondering quite a few of the other looks in this issue. Granted, it may have something to do with the intense temperature hike in the past few weeks (though it’s now grey and gloomy as I write this, go figure), but a lot of these skimpy summer looks are starting to have some appeal. At worst, this issue is full of looks that could be considered for a beach vacation; at best one would become a master at making tiny rouleau cording for use as drawstrings. Are we ready for some Burda summer styles? Let’s take a look:
Burda traditionally has quite a few dresses for the summer months, and this year is no different:
I’m sort of intrigued by this dress. The neckline and cross over top is really interesting. I’m not sure how practical it would be, but it does win on the visually interesting front. Plus, the slit in the back makes it much more functional for movement, which is a nice feature.
I’m also liking this dress. I’m pretty sure Burda has given us similar styles in the past, and it is a smidge shorter than I’d be comfortable wearing, but I do love the way Burda used the black/white contrast to dramatic effect.
Another dress that looks fairly derivative, but quite cool for the hottest summer days. The neckline looks a bit low, but I could totally see this as being a great swimsuit cover-up, and I’m really loving the drape of the skirt. Might have to frankenpattern this a bit.
Another dress that looks pretty basic, but could be a good staple in a summer wardrobe.
Seems like there is at least one of these every summer. I don’t really have a need for this drapey caftan style dress in my life, but Burda always seems to find dramatic fabric and a willing breeze to show them off to best effect.
This knit dress is pretty basic, but I’m actually rather liking it, especially the styling with the belt. I’d probably choose a color more exciting that then basic grey, but I could totally see this being something easy to wear during the summer’s hottest days. Essentially, this is just a super long giant t-shirt; the epitome of wearing secret pajamas.
I haven’t been too on board with the ruffle trends, but I actually sort of like the sleeves here. It’s ruffles, but not too overdone. The dress itself is a bit short, but that’s easily adjustable.
Another t-shirt dress. I do like the back here, but from the front it looks a bit shapeless. I expect a belt could help with this. It’s not something I’m overly excited about, pattern-wise, but it is something I’d want to wear. It’s growing on me the more I consider it.
Aside from the summer dresses, there are also quite a few good separates in this issue:
Rompers continue to be quite popular, and this one capitalizes on the ruffle trend with the hem detail. Definitely a bit too cutesy for me, but I could see other bloggers (and a younger crowd) rocking this as a summer look.
Bomber jackets also continue to be popular. This isn’t my favorite bomber style from Burda, but it does make sense to include this style with the summer looks, and the pockets are a nice detail.
I’m oddly intrigued by these pants. I sort of love the black/white version – stylish, yet relaxed. I’m even sort of digging the crazy print ones in a weird way. Not that I’d want yellow pants, but I do think it could be nice to have a relaxed summer pant that is lightweight and comfortable to wear.
These shorts aren’t exactly what I’d call stylish, but they are a perfect beach cover up.
This skirt! Swoon! LOVE the graphic lines and shapes. So classic, but still interesting. It would have fit in well with my Sudoku Wardrobe that I made earlier this year, actually.
On the one hand, these are pretty simple skirts. On the other hand, these seem to be really popular, and they let you play with fun print fabric, so…. trade-offs. I’ll take it.
I’m oddly obsessed with this blouse. It’s a bit boxier than what I’m normally drawn to, but the translucent fabric gives it a really light feel that I’m enjoying.
Great athletic top for swimming. Love the extra long zipper pull in the back – super functional! I’d even be tempted to lengthen the top and make this as a non-swimmer workout shirt.
The top version of the grey dress from above. I’m still loving it. Burda’s choice of print isn’t hurting my obsession with this pattern either.
I think I’m liking this as a top more than as a dress. Nice use of a boarder print as well. I’m thinking this might make it to my to-sew list. I’m really enamored with this top.
The dressy top version of the swim top. I’m really liking the lines; definitely something I’d consider sewing in the future.
The Burda Plus section continues to provide many of the highlights, as has been the case in many recent issues:
LOVE this dress! So pretty and flattering.
Another standout. The ombre is gorgeous. Also liking that this echoes one of the regular sized Burda patterns from last month – it’s nice to see Burda giving all size ranges some really trendy options. The proportion of the ruffle looks amazing on the model too.
I’m also loving this off the shoulder top. The elastic looks super secure, and the style is really lovely. The trousers also look really nice on the model.
Another version of the top. Love the styling with the belt.
I’m not as excited by this ruffle dress/top. But I can see how this loose style could be appealing for the summer. It does seem a bit similar to styles Burda has given us in the past though.
There are also a few knitting patterns this month:
The hat is fine, but I’ve never really understood the appeal of these types of knit tops?
We also get lots of questionable yet entertaining toys and crafts:
The octopi are possibly interesting dog toys, but I’m not understanding the fabric beach balls. I mean, what? Like, best I could think of was making a super giant one, stuffing it like a bean bag chair, and using it as home dec in a beach themed room, but otherwise, what? The fish backpack is sort of cute though.
The kids clothes this month are rather unremarkable:
The shorts could be practical; the dress is not that exciting.
And that’s it! There aren’t a lot of what I would consider to be stand-out looks this month, but to me the most striking piece should be awarded the Best of BS for July 2017:
The skirt! Though, really, I want this whole outfit. I love how they paired it with the cold shoulder asymmetric top, which I also really want to make. It looks classy, yet cool and summer appropriate.
Choosing the BWTF this month was much harder. Despite not having a lot of stand-out looks, there also isn’t anything truly objectionable. I normally exclude the non-sewing patterns, but looking through it all I had to give the BWTF for July to:
The knit (crocheted?) top. The design it actually rather pretty, I think, but I just never really understood wearing a top that had such large holes in the material.
Overall, I think this is going to be one of those sleeper issues. I don’t see a lot of things that people are going to go nuts over, but I do see lots of things that people would want to wear. The Burda Plus section continues its recent streak of being totally awesome, and there are certainly a few styles I’m wanting to try for the summer months. What do you all think? Do these simple styles have enough details to get you interested in summer sewing? Or is this a snoozefest that makes you itch for the fall styles we’ll start to see in August? Feel free to discuss in the comments!
Doctor T Designs 
That top looks crocheted. Yawn.
I am making the crazy blousy balloon sleeved top. It’s so interesting!! I love lots in this issue. Much more than I ever have a July issue!
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Love that outfit, too, but I’m a little disturbed by her missing elbow!
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Ahahahaha! Yeah the Photoshop operator got a bit happy on that image…
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The octopus toys look like diving weights to me. You drop them in the pool and the weight in the head makes them sink to the bottom, then kids practice swimming underwater by swimming down to grab the octopi by the tentacles.
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Liking some of the shorts, but, already have similar patterns. And the crocheted bikini top is so 1970’s! It was never a good look.
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Hi, thank you for posting about patterns, is very useful for me. Please, how can I view an old magazine review? Thank you 🙂
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If you search the Burda with the month and year at the bottom of the page it should show up.
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After-typing edit – deep apologies for the length of my post…. do delete it if it’s bothersome. 🙂
The June issue only JUST arrived here… and there is a skirt pattern in it that I’m absolutely making before moving on to anything else (and this issue probably won’t get here till September…lol…)
The asymmetrical blue-mustard dress is really nice, and there is a pattern in the June issue for (I don’t know what it’s called) a small slip/top thingie that’s just perfect for too-low necklines. One could make a slip top in every color and never be naked again…
The green leaf dress underneath resembles a tennis dress! I think it looks really nice and makes me wish I had more occasions to wear dresses. By the way, I love so many of the fabrics Burda uses… the tropical prints and the like. Can’t get those here. The ruffle sleeve dress is another nice one… Love the t-shirt drapey dress! Looks comfy and great for travel.
My favorite is the light bomber jacket. I have a love affair with jackets (and bomber jackets), and this one looks fantastic as an easy cover up in summer for sudden changes in weather patterns (as we often get in Quebec). One could be made in a non-wrinkle fabric for suitcases (does it show I like to travel maybe?), one in a nice linen maybe with a neat print, and one in a fancy-dancy fabric for, oh I don’t know, grocery shopping in a fancy grocery store (cuz I’m too old to go out any more but still like clothes). The contrasting zipper and tape thingie details are really nice.
My daughter might like those pants… maybe in a fabric with a bit of stretch.
Not fond of the shorts but LOVE that black/white skirt. Skirts are cool cuz in the winter they can be worn with leggings – winter and/or cold weather can last forever here, so multiple uses are nice…
The boxy blouse is really nice in that fabric, and I really like the swim top! I’d lengthen it though (my midriff flab just won’t go away, no matter what), but would, I think, love this. My daughter might even “borrow” it.
Oh and the crochet top… I would never ever wear one, but in defense of the pattern it is really in pretty colors. I used to crochet a lot in my 20’s, it’s very therapeutic. Once I made a vest pattern that had a crocheted collar and… what do you call the band at the bottom that goes around the waist. Anyway. It turned out great. I still have that vest but don’t wear it because of the midriff thing.
Now to finish that super-simple Burda t-shirt that should have taken just an afternoon to sew, but life just keeps butting in. 🙂
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Hi Ingrid, where to you live? I’m from Montreal west island and Burda magazines are easily and timely available at Fabricville (Dorval) or in a tabagie in the Pointe-Claire shopping mall, this store receives it at least a week before the published month, so the July issue should be available around June 27th. Both stores have it in English and French (even in German). I’m sure other tabagies around in Montreal also have it. If it’s convenient for you, don’t hesitate to come in this area of Montreal!
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Hi Julie, I live in Bromont… Technically a 45 minute drive away but with all the construction and bridge closures it took us nearly an hour and a half last month to get in… 😦 However there is a Fabricville near the St Bruno shopping mall. I’ve never seen the Burda magazines there, did I look in the wrong place? I WISH I could get to the store you are speaking of… But thank you for letting me know! 🙂
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To be fair, I post when the website preview goes up, but I won’t get the issue for another 2 weeks at least. But, yeah, it’s hard to wait when there are so many patterns I’m excited about making.
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This looks like a brilliant issue. I’ve said good things abut the last few issues which is a bit unusual for summer when things can go a bit crazy in Burdaland. Still need to get around to actually making some of these patterns though instead of just thinking about it! Great review as always.
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I wonder if they’ll have an issue, even one, EVER, in which the neckline will be something other than a V-neck, because:
1. I hate V-necks and
2. Even if I’d like them I’d be sick to death of them by now.
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Hi, Doctor T. This is kind of an unrelated to this issue question but it’s the only way I could think of to contact you, knowing your expertise with Burda patterns. I’ve just started sewing Burda and started with the size for a top according to my bust measurement. It was enormous! I sewed the same pattern again, dress version, down one size … and it’s still enormous. I’ve cut out another dress pattern in the size corresponding to my bust and it’s also enormous. Is there something I’m missing about Burda patterns? One thought I had was that these are fairly loose over-the-head styles without zips or buttons. Maybe their fitted patterns would work better for me. Any thoughts you have on Burda pattern sizing would be gratefully received. I love your pattern review posts and look forward to reading them monthly.–Catherine
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A few things:
(1) Burda is sized for a C cup, which is slightly larger than the Big4 companies (they size for a B cup). I usually use a high bust measurement with all pattern brands (measuring the area just under the armpits) to determine a size and then do a full bust adjustment as necessary for myself. Try using a high bust measurement – it will likely produce a better fit in the shoulder area.
(2) Burda’s fitted styles tend to be very spot on with the measurements, but the loose styles tend to (in my opinion/experience) have a LOT of design ease. I’ve sometimes gone down 2 sizes for some of the extremely loose styles.
(3) I’m not sure which pattern you are using, but I often check Pattern Review to see if anyone has anything insightful on sizing there before starting a project.
(4) If you are using an envelope pattern, the finished garment measurements are often printed on the specific pieces. I don’t usually have fit issues with Burda, but there’s been more than once when I’ve had to switch the entire sized envelope because of the included ease.
(5) Just a thought – what type of fabric are you using? I’ve had some cheap knits and a few wovens stretch out after cutting, especially if anything is on a bias, which might also cause problems.
In general, I seem to find Burda’s sizing to be pretty accurate, though it seems best on their fitted garments. Hope this helps!
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Thanks for this. I suspect you’re right about the loose-fitting patterns since I’ve now tried two of those for three garments and just swim in them even though I used my bust measurement to choose the size (I took in one of the patterns 4 inches in circumference at the side seams and it’s still pretty loose, plus the shoulders are way too broad for my frame). These patterns are PDF downloads from the Burdastyle website, not the envelope Burda patterns.
I will try the high bust measurement to see where that gets me and also will try a more fitted pattern next. My full bust measurement is slightly larger than their size 44, which is what I cut, but my high bust is between 38 and 40, so quite a difference.
I was just using woven cotton for these projects, one a cotton sateen, and another just cotton (broadcloth?) so I don’t think stretching is a big issue.
Thanks again!
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Ah! I’d definitely try a size 40 pattern around the shoulder area and do a full bust adjustment (FBA). There are lots of good tutorials online if you don’t have a book on fitting adjustments.
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I really liked this issue too. The black and white asymmetrical dress is fab. I wondered about some of the difficulty ratings though; there were a lot of things rated at two dots that I could swear were similar to three dot patterns I’ve made in the past. Not complaining though.
It’s weird, new style Burda has so much more filler (a two page spread on sunscreen, seriously?) and yet I like it better because I actually want to make the patterns.
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