Burda Magazine Options

 The regular monthly Burda Style magazine has become a little too expensive for me, and I decided to let it go when my subscription expired. I think that I will still get December’s issue, but that is the last one. It was a sad decision, because the magazine is fun to get, and because I probably sew more Burda than any other pattern company (we’ll see when it’s time for the year-end tally).

But there’s hope! Data Media Publications/Roltek sent me a list of all the German language magazines they carry, and both Burda Style Easy and Best of Burda Curvy are inexpensive enough to be contenders. (Updated this post - you can also contact Data Media Publications and request a 3 month trial subscription to the flagship magazine, another option.)

Some notes: both of these publications are in German only, but that might not be such a big deal as Burda has much better step by step illustrations than they used to, in addition to video tutorials on Youtube. They use European sizing. The patterns are printed on large newsprint sheets stapled into the center of the magazine and are nested so that you can blend from one size to another when tracing them off. Patterns do not include seam allowances.

 I did a little research to see which magazine might be best for me. The sizing difference isn't an issue because I generally use sizes 44-48 and am confident about scaling patterns up and down. Let the comparison begin. 

BURDA STYLE EASY

First impressions, looking at some YouTube flip throughs and internet images, is that this magazine is aimed at youthful beginners. I have nothing against simple patterns and routinely strip my Burda makes of frippery, so the “easy” aspect is definitely not a negative. However, the models look more like girls than women, and I saw a lot of halter tops and slip dresses - unstructured stuff that I would never make. Here are a couple of overviews. (The Easy magazines don’t seem to have all the line drawings shown together, but do have the “styles at a glance” spread.)

The Easy magazine is issued every other month, so 6 per year. Sizing seems to range from 34 (bust 31-1/2") to 44 (bust 39-1/4").  I didn't do extensive research, but it doesn't look like larger sizes are ever included.

There are 5 basic patterns in this issue, each with three variations.  Potentially the elastic-waist pants (without the ruffle) and the boxy white T, but there's nothing that moves beyond a "maybe".

Again, 5 basic patterns with variations. I'd use the sweatshirt, the coat/jacket (the ones in tan), and the shirt. I can't tell much about the dress without a line drawing.

BEST OF BURDA CURVY

Burda Curvy magazines are issued only twice a year. They also usually feature patterns without all the exaggerated details and random hardware that often appears in the flagship magazine. Sizing ranges from 44 (bust 39-1/4") to 52 (bust 45-3/4"), and sometimes up to 60 (52" bust).

From this issue, I'd make the shirt, the sleeveless top, the elastic waist pants, sleeveless dress, and folkloric-looking raglan sleeve top.

And from this one, the sweatshirt, drawstring pants, quilted vest, and tunic/dress at lower right.

Scoring: looking at just these two issues from each magazine, looks like I'd be likely to use 3 from the Easy mag and 9 from Plus.  OK, Plus wins and I will place my subscription order forthwith.

 If you've read this far, you must be somewhat interested in pattern magazines. I've toyed with the idea of doing a little how-to series for people who aren't sure how to use them. If you'd be interested in reading something like that, please drop a comment saying so.