January 2019 BurdaStyle Magazine

Posted on by DoctorTDesigns

It’s a bit crazy, but the first BurdaStyle magazine of 2019 is here!  While I was a bit disappointed with the end of the year issues, I’m happy to report that the January 2019 issue looks like it is going to be awesome!  There are so many great patterns in this issue I can’t wait to jump into it, so let’s get started.

Aside from October, I was pretty disappointed with the winter coats and jackets the past few months, but I am so excited with the styles we are going to get in January:

Ok, let’s just start things off with a bang because we get a special pattern by Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin this month and it is AMAZING.  I mean, seriously, this is absolutely gorgeous.   Just look at all that beading and stonework.  This coat is apparently from the Fall 2018 Ready to Wear collection, but I’ve now fallen down the rabbit hole of looking at all of this designer’s looks and I’m so inspired.  You can look at some more collections here and here.

I did really like the sequin blazer in the December issue, but I really like this blazer too!  The lines are nice and sleek, and the partial collar is really interesting.  I’ve been wanting a sequin blazer for a while (and may have bought some fabric to make one…), but now I have to decide if I like this style or the December issue more.  Hmmmmm…….

I’m pretty obsessed with this jacket as well – it looks so cuddly!  And I need to find some metallic suede and faux fur because this fabric combo is perfect.  It’s been really cold lately, and this is just the sort of jacket I’d really enjoy wearing.

Ok, I know I’m a jacket person, but I really like this style too!  Doing the Sew Your Kibbe series has given me a greater appreciation for a relaxed, belted style, and I really like this one.  The collar proportions are great (not too big, not too small), and the fit isn’t too oversized.  I also really like the collar embellishment, but then again I’m something of a magpie, so that’s to be expected.

Not my personal style, but I actually think this jacket is pretty cute; I especially love it in the bouclé with the contrasting trim.  (Side note: any Flamboyant Gamines in the audience should totally consider this pattern because they would totally rock it!)

Burda always makes rectangles look so appealing.  Of all the robe/cardigan styles that are similar, I’m not sure this is the one I would go for, but I can totally understand the appeal of a simple pattern that can serve as a nice robe or lightweight cardigan.

Ok, so I don’t think I would make or wear this, but I do think it is really cute.  Having a warm vest totally makes sense as a layering piece, and it’s nice to see something a bit more stylish than the typical fleece rectangle.  The embellishments on the peplum are a nice touch!

I don’t think the dresses are quite as exciting as the jackets are in this issue, but I do think they get points for practicality.

I really like this sheath dress – it is so elegantly simple!  Just enough detail to be fun, but not quite so much as to be distracting.

I’m a bit less excited by this shirtdress.  I mean, it’s fine, as far as shirt dresses go, and I do like the raglan style shoulder seams, but otherwise it’s not terribly exciting.

Fuzzy knit dress with secret in seam pockets?  Yes please!  It’s like wearing a giant sweater, but looks a bit nicer than if you were just wearing a giant sweater.

I feel like the dual purpose nightgown picture is throwing me off a bit here.  I like the relaxed shape and gathered shoulder detail, but now that I’ve seen nightgown I can’t un-see nightgown.  Does anyone else have that problem?

I think there are some fun tops this month; lots of quick makes that look great in glitzy fabrics, which is perfect if you want to throw together a quick New Year’s party look.

Unlike the dress, I don’t have a problem envisioning this top as both sleepwear or a party look.  The different fabric really sells the different styles/purposes.  I don’t think this is the most exciting pattern ever, but if you want to throw together something sparkly for New Year’s, this is a pretty reasonable pattern for a quick look.

I think the camisole is pretty cute – it would be great to wear under a nice blazer as part of a fun party look.  As a nightgown the style is fine; nothing terribly exciting, but I think a silky nightgown doesn’t have to be interesting to be luxurious.

We saw a similar twisty top in the February 2018 issue.  I liked it then and I like it now – the intentional use of an off grain cut creates a really interesting and organic drape. 

Button up top similar to the shirt dress.  I have to admit I like it much better as a shirt.  Possibly the drapey fabric is helping with that impression, but I feel that the style is more successful here.  As a side note, part of me really wishes those sequin pants were a pattern in the issue (spoiler alert: they aren’t), even though the practical person in me is vehemently opposed to the idea.

I think this top is also pretty cute.  The neck tie is possibly a bit large, but it does add enough detail to keep it from being a boring button up top.

This month we get a mix of bottoms for parties and for loungewear.

I really like this skirt!  The waist detail is fun, but doesn’t add too much bulk.  The shiny green fabric is definitely helping to sell me on the style too.

I really like this skirt too!  The angled, buttoned pocket details are really interesting, and the overall look is quite architectural.  

These pants are so cool!  I really like the zip detail at the hem, and the zipper pockets.  They feel a little edgy, but still elegant. 

I like this style in the silky print more than in the sweatshirt fabric; in the first instance they look luxurious, in the second a bit sloppy.  Burda has given us a lot of elasticated waist styles with cropped, tapered hems in the past year, and I’m not sure this is my favorite version.

Hem ruffles just feel like a hazard I don’t need on my pants, but bonus points for whoever realized that pockets are the best feature of PJ pants.

The Burda Plus selection is somewhat less exciting this month, though there are a few practical/wearable styles.

I like this jacket.  The tie/ruffle cuff detail has been pretty popular the past few months, but I like it.  It’s not too wild, but it adds a nice softness to the jacket.  I think the model looks really cute in this jacket – the bike photo has totally sold me on this look.

This blouse is a bit less exciting.  It doesn’t have much shaping, and just looks a bit oversized.  The pintuck detail is pretty, but I’m finding the whole thing a bit boxy.  Ultimately I expect this would come down to personal preference as far as how close of a fit you like in your tops.

This is a simple knit top, but I think the draping adds just enough interesting detail to make it cool.  It’s not so large as to look sloppy, and it’s not too plain and boring.  It looks pretty quick to sew too.

I totally have a Kwik Sew pattern that is really similar to this from a loooooooong time ago.  This style was all the rage, like, a decade ago, and it seems Burda is bringing it back.

There is a pretty basic dress pattern this month.  The only real detail the cuff ruffles, but they are pretty understated.  Could be nice if you want a simple dress in a winter work wardrobe, but otherwise not too exciting.

I don’t have much to say about the kids section since it is a pretty generic set of costumes.  In the past we at least got cool things like Elsa and Rainbow Brite.  I will say that these pattern (for the most part) could be used for practical, non-costume clothes too, which is nice.

And with that we are ready to pick our top and bottom pattern for the first Burda of 2019!  There is a lot to love in this issue, but I don’t think there is much competition for the Best of BS Award.  It clearly goes to…

The designer coat!  I mean, how could I not?  This jacket is absolutely stunning.  Maybe it’s not the most practical wardrobe addition, but definitely the most exciting pattern in the issue.  Also, I’m selfishly loving that Burda is sticking rhinestones on everything right now because I have so many in my stash that I could use for fun embellishment, and I’m really inspired by Burda’s love of the sparkles lately.

Choosing the first BWTF for 2019 was really hard; I don’t think there is a bad pattern in this issue (aside from some of the kids costumes which don’t really count).  Ultimately it came down to styling and fabric choice, because the options are just that good this month.  BWTF January 2019 goes to…

Sweatshirt pants!  Ok, so I don’t think that this trouser pattern is bad; I actually quite like it in the silky party style, but I just can’t see this as a “work appropriate” style in a sweatshirt fabric.  I totally think these pants could work for a casual or loungewear look, but as part of a business suit I’m just not buying it. 

And that’s it!  First issue of 2019 is almost here, and I am so excited!  I want to make a lot of these items (like, pretty much all of the jackets and quite a few of the tops), and I’m really enjoying all the sparkly inspirations.  I could understand how this might not be someone’s favorite issue for those reasons, but I think Burda did a nice job of having a little something for everyone – glitter for the party girls, pjs for the homebodies, and a few casual/professional pieces for when you go back to work after all of the holiday festivities.  Personally, I’m really excited for this issue and I can’t wait for it to arrive, but I can see how this might be a divisive issue of the magazine.  What do you all think?  Is this the Burda we’ve been waiting for?  Or are sparkly fabrics hiding boring style that aren’t worth getting to excited over?  Is the designer pattern giving this magazine life, or is it gaudy and impractical for a home sewist?  Feel free to discuss in the comments!

34 thoughts on “January 2019 BurdaStyle Magazine”

  1. I always look forward to your Burda reviews. I agree with your assessment of this new issue. Lots of things I would like to make. However, I am a Plus-size. Even though you don’t identify the Plus designs as such, I can always tell which ones are the Plus size. Not just by the size of the model, but by the designs themselves. They just don’t have the same zing as the other designs. Burda has gotten better at not giving us sacks, but I really think they can step up their game.

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    1. Thanks! I always try to group the Burda Plus size designs together at the bottom of the post, and I usually make a statement about the following designs being for the Burda Plus size ranges before discussing that group of patterns. I totally agree that the Burda Plus designs aren’t as exciting in this issue, but I do feel that in past issues some of the more successful sections have been in the Burda Plus size range. Not always (not even a majority of the time), but they do get it right sometimes, and they should get credit for that. I agree that the Plus sized patterns can tend to be a bit less detailed and interesting in general, but there have definitely been some lovely Burda Plus styles in the past. I agree it’s not fair, and it would be nice to get all the patterns in all of the sizes, but I would also argue that Burda’s track record of Plus designs isn’t the worst. Yes, it could be better (clearly they *have* done some fabulous designs so they *can* do it), and I’ve found their Plus sections to be wanting of late, but I feel like they are in more of a slump than that they haven’t or can’t come up with good designs.

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  2. this issue made me break down and finally order a 3 month subscription. i liked several of the jackets/coats, plus the sweater dress and the saddle-shoulder button up blouse. the cover jacket looks like a knit blazer and i have a few RTW that i really love. my mom gave me a burda magazine sub way back in 2006-2007. i still have all of the issues and i just used one last month for a wool skirt, so it’ll be fun to try it out again.

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  3. Oh. My. God. The jacket…………… ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ I’m going to sew that if it kills me. I love everything about it! Even if I’m not able to do the embellishments, that jacket is just too outstanding. Actually so many of the patterns are great! I haven’t been this excited since I ordered a mess of Burda back issues (and just finished a skirt and love it).

    That said, I don’t have the December issue yet! 😦

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      1. Agreed! There are only about 200 I want to sew. I’ll post a photo of the skirt
        this weekend and the pattern. It’s a simple one, and I made mistakes, but it actually fits pretty good. Managed to put in rivets, so it sorta looks legit…

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  4. The last few months haven’t been my fave but I like January a lot. That designer jacket is spectacular. I am *slightly* sad that the other blazer is knit but that won’t stop me from making it!

    I. Love. That. Sheath!! I have a colorful boucle and I think it has a purpose now!

    The light funnel neck, those side panels and pockets – yep that dress is going on the list! I too like the raglan top version over the shirtdress version and think this twist top may actually work a little better than the February version. I have a little dinner party to go to at the end of December…a gold knit…and so yeah! hahaha!

    The plus jacket and tee are really cute but I feel they missed the mark otherwise.

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  9. Hmmm. I’m going to haunt the papeterie to get this issue before it sells out. Usually, I look at the line drawings in Burda and think ‘not much new’ but this time styles have been reworked imaginatively, and there’s a really good spread of designs.

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  11. I really enjoy your reviews. I’m excited by the vest-with-peplum look – it would actually be a practical fit with my wardrobe.

    I’m actually relatively new to garment sewing (started in the last year), and I haven’t sewed a Burda pattern before. I was disappointed to realize that my measurements put me in Burda’s “plus” range for most of their tops (but not dresses?), at a size 44/46 according to their chart. Does anyone here have insight into how difficult it would be to grade one of these tops out an extra size or two?

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    2. I also find I normally go down a size in Burda. I *should* be a size 40 in tops, but I almost always make a size 38. I’d measure the pattern pieces to be sure because it would be super frustrating to grade up, and then realize you didn’t need to.

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  12. First thank you for the review. I so agree on pretty much everything. I had quite the same reaction on party/PJ collection as a whole and that dress in particular. Felt almost like a bad joke. I like that asymmetric twisty top quite a bit. And the whole issue is far from being disappointing. I was far from jumping up and down though about that designer pattern, but it might change once somebody makes it. Happy sewing!

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  13. I always save your reviews until my paper copy arrives, and it finally did today! I love this one. The frock coat is amazing. I am also eyeing up the imitation suede trousers and, strangely, the vintage midi skirt.

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  15. Pingback: A Year in Review: BurdaStyle Magazine 2019 – Doctor T Designs

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