Burda Plus - English ed

I just reviewed Burda Moden, and much of what I said there applies here too.

First off, I'm a plus size lady.

I sew, and I love Burda magazines. Till recently I had an annual subscription and I need to refresh my subscription again. I always but always subscribed to both the regular magazine (which has a plus size section!) and the Plus magazine (which NEVER duplicates what you see in the regular one).

If given a choice I think I'd take the Plus magazine if I couldn't afford both.

Here are some helpful tips on why you might like to subscribe EVEN IF YOU DON'T SEW, and how to do so if you are out of the States area.

For Canadians there is a Burda magazine reseller, and it will cost about 10$ Canadian per issue. Which is MUCH less than a normal pattern now. So it saves you on patterns.

Burda has ways to subscribe for each country, just go to their website and click till you get the reseller for your own area.

WHY BURDA IS THE BEST!

The fashions presented are 2 years ahead. I found that styles presented in Burda were a year ahead of hitting the stores in retail, and 2 to 3 years ahead of the other major pattern companies, and about 1 year ahead of Burda's pattern envelopes sold in the fabric stores.

EVEN IF ALL YOU DO IS LOOK AT UPCOMING STYLES and never sew a stitch you will find this magazine useful to keep ahead of trend curves.

This is what the European ladies are wearing.

All clothing is well put together, showing current trends (future trends for north america!) in Europe in shoes, purses, jewelry, colour choices and more. They use fashion forward textiles to make the garments and the photos are clear enough that you can get trim detail and figure out fabric from your local store.

If you do sew, this magazine will keep you from wasting money on outdated expensive paper patterns AND keep you in the front end of fashion.

After all if you go to the trouble of sewing, and fitting it's nice if you can wear something for a few extra years and look up to date while doing so.

As a Plus size lady, I found it a refreshing surprise to find patterns that actually looked stylish and ahead of the ready to wear regular market let alone the nightmare of retail plus size ready to wear.

Each magazine comes with ALL the patterns to make all the clothing featured. Look thru, see what you like and trace off your own pattern.

A note about sizes --Burda fits much closer than normal pattern companies which makes for a much nicer fit, but you may find yourself needing to go up a size or two.

Measure carefully, and try cutting one size up till you get used to the fit. Don't cut into expensive fabric till you are used to how they fit. Make a few cheaper garments first. The armholes and the crotch area fit differently than north american clothes.

Be aware that above a size 20/22 in north american sizes, won't fit into these plus sizes. Their idea of plus is 14-20/22. If you are bigger it's fairly easy to size the patterns up a bit, but you do need some experience in sewing and pattern alterations to do that well. (for learning how, check out Sandra Betzina's stuff on altering patterns)

Here are a couple of helpful hints to dealing with tracing off the patterns in the centerfold.

I used waxed paper in the usual kitchen type roll and traced with a sharpie marker pen.

WHY WAX PAPER? It's cheap, you can SEE THRU IT, and you can fuse it into bigger sheets as needed.

FUSING WAX PAPER: take a warm iron, and press thru a paper towel so you don't get wax paper on your iron. (when you finish, run your iron over a clean terry facecloth to absorb any wax that seeped out). When fusing, hold till the wax paper clings and it will look a bit "bubbly".

EDITED TO ADD: USE A HIGHLIGHTER PEN to mark the lines you are tracing off. It will help you "see" the correct pattern peice and the correct size in the spaghetti trail that is the master pattern in the centerfold.

TRACING: Burda patterns DON'T come with a seam allowance so I added that after tracing my patterns. Using a sharpie and a straight edge for long runs I traced off my desired size in the patterns which look like multicoloured spaghetti lines all over the newsprint center.

Then add seam allowances BEFORE cutting out your wax paper pattern!

About all those lines. Here is where my wax paper tip comes in handy. I've tried tracing paper, even interfacing but the multiple lines on a Burda magazine pattern are too much for those usual tracing papers or interfacing. You will need something much more see thru. Wax paper! cheap, almost transparent, sturdy and won't bleed sharpie marker ink.

Burda doesn't print one sided pattern masters so you HAVE to trace. You can't just sacrifice the rest of the patterns to cut yourself one only since the other peices will likely be printed on the back.

REMEMBER TO ADD YOUR SEAM ALLOWANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once I cut out my pattern (and write all the notes about what size, layout, darts etc on the pattern) I put my pattern pieces in a Manila envelope.

Pattern envelopes for home made patterns work best with some labelling. I put the magazine (fall and winter 05) and the page # (34) and the model I'm copying along with the size, the yardage I require and any sewing notions or extras (zippers, interfacing, 17 buttons, yada yada)

Maybe due to being a bit obsessive about such things I sketch a line drawing on the envelope with a note saying, skirt, pants, jacket or whatever the garment is. My drawing isn't perfect but I try to include a front and back view with major seams and darts drawn in. It's useful.

I keep them in a normal household file folder, since the manila envelopes fit perfectly.

File under Jacket, Dress, Skirt etc. or by year.

There, I hope that helps. This is WELL worth getting even if you never sew a single stitch from the magazine.

I ordered back issues of this magazine from an Ebay dealer in the UK after the Spring 2006 issue came out and I am sold not just on Burda Plus but on Berlin fashion designers as wellthe women, anyway, make lovely, flowing but not "girly" clothes that are very wearable Think Eileen Fisher or Flax but with darker, richer colors, fibers and textures, slightly more "fit" and more interesting shapes in a wider variety -not just the same few repeated again and again. Clothes for the decades, not the season -and the patterns are HERE! at least some of them, from designers like Evelyn Brandt, Doris Strietch (and another Berliner (female) whose name escapes me at the moment, but whose clothes I deeply admire.)

The fit is better than most American pattern companies especially pants. If you make one garment from each issue the subscription has more than paid for itself. Good info on sizing patterns up or down in the back issues I recently received keeping the proportions if using a "petite" or a "tall" pattern if you are neither. Pattern directions themselves can be less than enlightening, though perhaps "non-fluent" would be the best description of their translation. And the breathless tone (LOTS of exclamation points!!!!) of the editorial content seems a bit much for such "smart" clothes, but we're not buying this for the elegancce of the writing!

Another reviewer complained of delivery delay. This is only published in January and July. If you missed subscribing in time for the last issue and the print run is gone, you have to wait until the next one pubs. And the print runs DO sell out. As I can attest.

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Contrary to the previous review, the majority of the patterns in the Fall/Winter 2005 issue were normal sizes (5'6"). This particular issue contains 10 jackets (two of which were for petites), four skirts (one of them petite), three pants (one petite), and four shells (two petites). There were no dresses and no blouses with sleeves. The interesting fabric choices and the superb fashion photography were also excellent. This particular issue also had an article on how to change a petite pattern to a regular pattern and vice versa. The pattern pieces have unique sophisticated shapes, very interesting for the intermediate to advanced sewer. One thing I did find lacking was there was no casual sportswear. The magazine seems geared toward business suits and formal occasions.

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I love the fashions but some are for 5'3 and some for 5'6. At 5'10 I have to make serious adjustments for height. If you can barely cut out a multi-sized pattern then this magazine is definitely above your skill level. If you can trace and adjust patterns and work without detailed instructions then you will enjoy the fresh styles and many collections presented for such a low price. Even if you only use one pattern from every issue it is worth the money.

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I have been getting this magazine since 2000, and I am still using the patterns out of the first issue. The clothing made from a Burda magazine pattern fits like nothing else. When I wear them I get stopped by women asking me where they can buy those wonderful clothes, even skinny women want these clothes. No frumpy fat women clothes here.

Each magazine seems to have a theme, office clothes, sportswear, dress up. You will have to collect a few issues before all your pattern needs are filled. And do hold on to those old issues. I have one magazine I put away as just not what I wanted. Four years later and it has the perfect blouse. And yes they are always ahead of the curve. Something unique you see in Burda won't show up in the stores for 18 months.

And the fit!!! No pattern other pattern fits like Burda. They require some advanced skills. Tracing can get very tiring. But if you want to be the best dressed and not look like you shop at the mall then this pattern mag is for you.

Porthole

"Porthole" is a magazine about cruising, and is generally informative and interesting. The format has recently been enlarged by the publisher, which is a big improvement.

The magazine is a glossy, color spectacle that deals mostly with reviews of ships and itineraries, with some superficial human interest articles thrown in for good measure. In general "Porthole" is more about visceral impressions of ships and cruises rather than about hard, factual information, which is largely to its detriment. For that reason, I prefer "Cruise Travel" magazine, which has a more thorough analysis of current topics, particularly in their itinerary reviews and "Ship of the Month" sections.

Interestingly, I recently got both "Porthole" and "Cruise Travel" on the same day and both of them had as the cover story Holland America's new "Oosterdam". While "Porthole" showed some nice photos largely of common areas and talked about how spacious it was, "Cruise Travel" detailed the new ship's layout, size of different class cabins, itinerary review, facilities and features, fares, etc. To me the information in "Cruise Travel" was unquestionably superior, although the "Porthole" photographs were nicer.

I enjoy reading "Porthole", and particularly enjoy the coverage of more obscure expeditions, such as the recent (June 2004) article on European river cruises. The coverage of the 'Queen Mary 2' was also excellent, particularly the excellent photographs. Overall, I think Porthole is a good magazine, but not the best in the category. For that try "Cruise Travel".

Don't waste your money on Porthole!

For much better information on cruises, try "Cruise Travel" Magazine. It is by far the best cruise magazine on the market. Although is is only published every two months and isn't very long, it offers up-to-date and useful information on the cruise travel industry and destinations. The Cruise of the Month, Port of the Month, and the Ship of the Month features are great, and the letters to the editor are very well-written and interesting. There are quite a few ads, but they are all relevant to cruising and are helpful when planning a cruise.

Cruising is not just for the rich anymore! Cruise Travel Magazine can help you plan the trip of a lifetime. Prothole only caters to rich travelers.

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I WAS EXPECTING A MAGAZINE ABOUT CRUISING, INSTEAD I FOUND THAT IT WAS ABOUT SERVICES FOR CRUISE COMPANYS WITH LITTLE TO INTEREST THE AVERAGE CRUISER.

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I would never order a magazine subscription from Amazon again. It takes twice the time to enter and receive your first issue. I would purchase the subscription from the publisher direct as it takes less time and is the same price.

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Stone Voices

When you open this magazine, you are greeted by gorgeous full color prints and beautiful, honest, explorative writing. I can't believe no one has done anything like this before, but it seems like no one has. This isn't another new age magazine with superficial articles about being spiritual. Stone Voices is a very well done journal working hard to gather intelligent creative writing and art together. In the years to come, Stone Voices is likely further the discussion of how art is an expression of our spiritual journey.

Still Point Arts Quarterly

These magazines are great. This will be a collectors item. Although Still Point Arts Quarterly is a new publication it puts others to shame. The quality of the writing, reproductions of the artwork, the paper, and even the type is among the best I have seen. I am so glad I decided to join its growing ranks of thrilled customers. I am looking forward to the next issue.

This magazine is a must-have for anyone interested in the visual arts. It features interesting articles about contemporary and past artists, and fine poetry as well. The full-color reproductions accompanying the writing are gorgeous too. Well worth subscribing to by individuals, libraries and schools alike.

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7/5/2011, 2nd issue By now I read most of the articles, looked closely at the art and enjoyed the entire issue from cover to cover.

It is beautifully presented and is of very high quality. I showed it off at a party all were impressed.

I'm honored and happy to be included in it. Thank you!

Michal Barkai,

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Portals of Prayer - Large Print ed

I have read Portals of Prayer for many years; receiving it in large print has made enjoying it easy on my eyes.

Short, quick, concise and uplifting. No home should be without it.

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Intermezzo Magazine (1-year auto-renewal)

My experience has been like that of so many others -I received one issue, and that was about 5 months after my subscription was paid for. That was over a year ago. I have kept a record of email correspondence between myself and Roseanne Tully, the publisher. At one point she forwarded my request for subscription cancellation and a refund to someone (presumably) at her organization. I have yet to receive a refund. This is NOT a bona fide periodical; it's a seldom-published, self-serving magazine.

This magazine does not come out bimonthly. It will take more than two years to receive the six issues that you are supposed to receive in one year. Photography is nice but come on, who wants to subscribe to a magazine that can't keep to a publishing schedule.

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I paid for a full year subscription as a gift... They never received any magazines. I have emailed numerous times and was always told it would be on its way shortly. Finally asked for a refund, but never received. BEWARE. SCAM!

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I ordered this subscription last March (2009) and have yet to receive a copy. Have asked for a refund from Amazon. Very disappointed in Intermezzo. Will never bother with it again.

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Not bad. It took almost 3 months to arrive, but hell, I was busy. Content fairly good, a little pricey for what you get.Its like ordering a glass of most wines in most restaurants. Will I renew? probably not

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Journal De Mickey

We have a subscription to this magazine to keep up our French Language skills. We have tried Picsou in the past, so we had an inkling of what this would be like. We also read Paris Match, but these little comics pack a better punch for learning what people really say, and words that don't come up as much in regular newspapers. If you think your French language skills are beyond these magazines, try the crosswords, riddles, and think to yourself, do you know the French word for Manatee? Mammoth? Pimple? Sneakers? Ballroom? Checkers? Car horn?

The magazine took ages to get started, about 11 weeks, but once it arrived we got 2 issues in the first delivery, well packed, crisp and clean, complete with little toys that must be an occasional perk.

Library Journal

I am not a librarian but I did take a graduate level course in library science and was introduced to this periodical. Library Journal is quite comprehensive in its coverage it features articles pertaining to the discipline, features on libraries and some of the innovations in spotlighted libraries, the use of technology in libraries (a recent issue spotlighted a small library in MA where patrons could check out Nooks, Kindles, and iPads!), and many more.

One of my favorite sections in the journal is the sheer number of book reviews which gives an avid reader like me lots of suggestions as to books to be placed on my To Be Read (TBR) list. Many of the reviews feature books which are in pre-publication and there is also quite a comprehensive coverage of audio books, DVDs, software, and many more. I also like the suggested reads by practicing and retired librarians. Bibliophiles and librarians will find lots to enjoy in this quality journal.

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Accident Reconstruction Journal

A very well written, peer reviewed, professional publication. If you are serious about your work as an accident Reconstructionist, the ARJ is a must. The previous review in which the reviewer gave only one star is unfair due to the fact that he is reviewing Amazon's performance, not the quality of the magazine.

What can I say, this is a must have periodical for traffic collision reconstruction. Every issue is filled with relevant peer articles.

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Actually to give the magazine 1 star is unfair. I have no idea how good the magazine is because I've never received one. I paid and ordered the mag in November of 2009 and STILL have not received it. Amazon has promised to correct the mistake and keeps pushing back the date to the next issue. The most recent promise was July of 2010. Guess what, still no magazine as of July 22nd. They refuse to send me the issues I missed and keep giving me excuses. Do not order ANYTHING from Amazon, they do not care about you and only want your money. This company obviously does not care about the customer at ALL!!

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Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine (1-year)

This magazine has paid for itself many times over with its very simple, relevant financial tips. I won't go into my personal details, but I estimate that by acting upon the advice I found in different articles over the past year, I will have saved and earned over $2000, and perhaps much more. This amount has not come from major windfalls from stock purchases, but rather from sound advice on taxes, credit cards, savings options, fee comparisons, etc.-the types of things we all deal with often. I have subscribed to many magazines over the years, and the majority were only for 1 year-this one I will continue renew for years to come!

I've read other personal finance magazines before and found them to be either too basic to be worth my time, or too focused on some obscure area. I'm not a financial professional, but I like to constantly increase my knowledge of personal finance. Kiplinger's has been great for that. I skip 80% of the articles in this magazine, but that still leaves one or two in every issue that teach me about an area I didn't know about -where to buy bonds online the most cheaply, how to find good financial advice, why options are priced the way they are. One good article pays for the entire annual subscription. Each issue has a wide range of articles appealing to lots of levels of experience.

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Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine fits right in the middle between the lowest-common denominator approach of Money magazine and the head-in-the-clouds attitude at Worth magazine. Kiplinger's has a nicely balanced style and tone; it never preaches, and I almost always find a tip, suggestion, or tax-saving idea that pays for my year's subscription in every single issue. If that's the measure of the value of a personal finance magazine, then Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine deserves a five-star rating. Good stuff, and a good value!

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I had been subscribing to Money magazine for the past 14 years. At some point I wanted a change so I try Kiplinger's. I'd say comparing between the two Money seems to target more on upper income readers whereas Kiplinger's middle to lower. Money's written style is more technical whereas Kiplinger's is less.

Overall I'd say Kiplinger's content seems more fundamental than Money.

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My retirement plan sends me a magazine, which is so boring that I don't even bother to open it anymore; Kiplinger's isn't at all like that. The best part of Kiplinger's is that it describes how real people with average salaries, kids, and debts can invest for the future. There are also some great articles for parents about how to teach their kids to manage their money. Everything seems practical, but I've yet to try any of it. The magazine is broken into four sections: `Ahead' short articles about finance news and current event, `investing' about investing mostly stocks, `your money' about ways to invest your money though not as technical as the investing section and more diverse, and `spending' which is basically general interest about new fun technologies and other ways to spend all the money saved or made through investing.

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