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Member since 10/12/07
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Posted on: 2/2/10 5:17 PM ET
I have been reading about Burda Magazine, for awhile now. Everyone raves about the pattens. I may be new to this but are the patterns in the magazine? Is it like KS sewing books with the a master pattern included inside?
-- Edited on 2/2/10 5:18 PM --
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Teri
Janome Sew Precise, DC4030PR, 634D, & 900CP, Singer 15-91, Singer 403-A, Singer 404, & Singer 338, Singer 221

Great sewing is knowing exactly, what your machine will do.
  
Member since 5/22/06
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Posted on: 2/2/10 5:42 PM ET
In reply to Teeavilnor
Sheets of multi-size patterns are folded and nicely stapled into the center of the magazine. For those who like to sew a wide range of types of garments and don't mind tracing their size, the magazine is a treasure trove of perhaps 50 patterns - all for the price of less than the cost of a single Burda envelope pattern. A yearly subscription works out to cost just $6.67 per issue including postage. Instructions are not overly generous in detail, however, and some experience in sewing similar garments is usually helpful.

ETA that it would be a good idea to buy one issue either locally if you can or through GLP (the Burda publisher) to see how you like it before ordering a subscription.
-- Edited on 2/2/10 5:46 PM --
  
Member since 5/19/06
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Posted on: 2/2/10 6:01 PM ET
Yes, the patterns are in the magazine. That's basically all the magazine is, actually. There are a few crafty sorts of things, like painting rocks and covering chairs, but for the most part the magazine is photos of models wearing the styles that are provided on the pattern sheets stapled to the center of the magazine.

The magazine is not sold near to me, so I just subscribed and bought some back issues. If you look around on PR, you will find an ad box for GLPNews. That's the way to go, if you want the magazine. Amazon offers it also, but the delivery is weeks to months later, not the few days it took them to send me all my back issues and the next month's issue. Subscription works out to about $6.70 per issue, mailed from New Jersey, so for Connecticut, you would probably get your issues the next day when they mail them. Back issues were a little more, I think $9 each.

It's about 30? patterns per issue (so about 20-25 cents each), with directions, such as they are. If you read the reviews here, you will consistently see that most of the PR reviewers aren't impressed by the directions. Each issue has some children's patterns, a couple petite (shorter, not smaller around), and 4-6 plus size patterns. I laughed at their idea of a plus size model! I noticed one pattern sized for taller women, which seems to be about how many they have in the envelope patterns, too.

The patterns themselves are a road map of overlapping lines in several colors on the large, stiff paper insert. The paper is similar in thickness to the paper Kwik Sew or Jalie patterns use, if you are familiar with those companies. The pattern lines overlap each other, so you can't just lay the pieces out and cut. You trace the patterns out in the size you need, according to which pieces the style you want requires. In the sewing tips and techniques section under sewing reviews, there is a tip or two about tracing out the patterns. The types, widths, and amounts of fabric as well as the notions needed are listed in the instructions for each style.

If you have a news stand or independent fabric store near you that carries the magazine, take a look. The styles sometimes will eventually be offered in the envelope patterns, but many of them won't be.

HTH

ETA: You have to add your own seam allowances for the magazine patterns. The traced lines are the seam lines, not cutting lines. The envelope patterns now have seam allowances, in the US anyway, but the magazine ones do not.
-- Edited on 2/2/10 6:04 PM --

ETA: I just noticed your avatar! Cool!!
-- Edited on 2/2/10 6:06 PM --
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Fictionfan
  
Member since 10/12/07
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Posted on: 2/2/10 6:09 PM ET
Thank you, I'm not puzzled now, maybe because they call it a magazine. And I can just imagine what they call a plus size maybe size 8-10! And I do like the thicker paper that KS and Jalie uses for thier patterns. Someday when I come across one of the magazines I'll check it out. Thank you agian for a most descriptive answers.
-- Edited on 2/2/10 6:25 PM --
-- Edited on 2/2/10 7:13 PM --
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Teri
Janome Sew Precise, DC4030PR, 634D, & 900CP, Singer 15-91, Singer 403-A, Singer 404, & Singer 338, Singer 221

Great sewing is knowing exactly, what your machine will do.
  
Member since 10/28/08
Posts: 52
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Posted on: 2/2/10 6:12 PM ET
I live in Canada, and the Canadian branch of GPL sent me a sample issue for free when I asked for it. You could try that with the American branch. That way you can see what it's all about, try a few patterns & decide if the tracing thing is for you. Personally I can see myself sewing Burda forever, but it's cheaper for me to buy the mag at a local store than it is to subscribe. Silly, eh?

Christine
  
Member since 4/3/08
Posts: 114
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Posted on: 2/2/10 8:04 PM ET
I was sent a free issue here in the US when I inquired about Burda through GLP. It would be worth it to say you are interested so you can get the free issue and find out if you like it or not. Personally, I absolutely love the patterns!!
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http://kathigarnett.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 3/4/09
Posts: 1711
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Posted on: 2/2/10 8:05 PM ET
In reply to berescga
GLP will send you a free issue. I did that this summer before I subscribed - got the July issue for free! I can't remember exactly how I found the part of the website where you could sign up for that. I think I followed a link from the Burda site, but I bet you could email GLP directly and ask.
  
Member since 12/28/04
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Posted on: 2/2/10 8:06 PM ET
In reply to Teeavilnor
You can buy single issues from several sources on line if you want to see if you like them. Their is a preview on line, though right now you're better off checking the German site because of site renovation. I've been using them for about 12 years now and I love them. The fit and drafting are superb
-- Edited on 2/2/10 8:06 PM --
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
Member since 10/12/07
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Posted on: 2/3/10 10:27 AM ET
Thank you all, I have e-mailed for a sample.
Maybe I'll be posting a Burda review in the near future.
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Teri
Janome Sew Precise, DC4030PR, 634D, & 900CP, Singer 15-91, Singer 403-A, Singer 404, & Singer 338, Singer 221

Great sewing is knowing exactly, what your machine will do.
  
Member since 10/12/07
Posts: 174
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Posted on: 2/3/10 10:34 AM ET
In reply to berescga
It might have something to do with the postage. I have family in the Quebec area and they have high postal rates.
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Teri
Janome Sew Precise, DC4030PR, 634D, & 900CP, Singer 15-91, Singer 403-A, Singer 404, & Singer 338, Singer 221

Great sewing is knowing exactly, what your machine will do.
  
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