My Image Summer 2018

My Image usually only produces 2 magazines a year (in the adult sizes): Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter, along with a few new PDF patterns that are included as part of a magazine purchase. However, this year they’ve released a special Summer issue of the magazine, not included as part of a normal subscription. There aren’t as many patterns as in a normal full issue, but I think they’ve done a nice job of selecting simple looks that will coordinate well to make some nice summer basics. Let’s take a look:

I really like the simple knit dress and relaxed trousers. I can see both of these tops being popular during summer as well.

I like how these summer looks could be office appropriate as well.

Not much to say about this simple shift dress. Pretty boring, but appealing on those super hot summer days.

I really like the pairing of the button down blouse and print skirt on the right.

I think the shirt dress and romper both look super cute in these prints.

The shirtdress is the PDF pattern. Which is good to know if (a) you just wanted this pattern or (b) having to print out this pattern from a PDF is a deal breaker.

And that’s it! I’m sort of intrigued by this mini issue, but not so much the individual patterns themselves, as they seem pretty basic. I’m sure my backlog of Burda, My Image, and other magazines and paper patterns has me covered. But I do think it is interesting how well this special edition plays into the idea of creating a capsule wardrobe, which feels like it has been the growing buzz of the sewing world (and fashion/style blogging world) the past few years. All of the pieces are very basic, but that means they all mix and match well. It’s cohesive, but still very customizable with fabric and print choices. Plus, I could see the appeal of this issue to a newer sewist. In general I feel like there has been a general shift of the sewing community to simpler/more practical garments lately, and this seems to be playing into that trend as well. What do you all think? Does the presentation of the patterns in this issue make them more appealing? Does it help you visualize it as a full summer wardrobe, rather than fixating on one individual item? Or are all of the patterns just too basic to be of any interest at all? Feel free to discuss in the comments!

7 thoughts on “My Image Summer 2018”

It seems like this and indie pattern companies are more about fabric selection and putting together looks than actually developing original designs. As you noted, probably every major pattern company and many smaller ones already offer similar patterns, so I’m curious about the target market. Maybe new sewers daunted by large pattern books with hundreds of designs? Maybe some people appreciate a curated seasonal collection?

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I agree it’s all very basic, but I’d have loved to find something like this when I was starting sewing.

There’s something awfully 90s about the shirt dress to my eyes. I remember wearing floral button through dresses first time around!

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As a petite, I really like these simple styles. I like the Burda Easy, too. It’s even better that they are simple to sew since I don’t have much time to put into sewing.

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Yes they are basic patterns, nothing special at all… But the fabric does make most of them look really wearable. I’ve never tried this company. Most of these patterns I’ve already got the same or similar with either Burda or McCalls, except for maybe that cami dress – I’d sew that just as a top. My daughter has one that doesn’t fit her anymore – she wears the heck out that cami top.

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I got that 90s vibe too from exactly the same dress. These look like well drafted basics which every sewist would appreciate IMO. But the presentation and styling are rather sparse. Burda’s presentation makes it easier for me to visualize the final garment and so far I haven’t figured out how or why exactly that is. Happy sewing!

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