October got by so fast and I still owe you the results from last month’s survey I will post them next week at the latest. Sorry for the delay!

But Anna and I wanted to get November’s review out asap.

This month’s issue features a lot of jackets…our opinions are somewhat diverging but I really enjoy that about our conversation.

Don’t forget to check out Anna’s blog!
Silvia: I love the wide collar combined with the fitted style. Not so sure about the trim. The jacket features kimono sleeves which leaves me with mixed feelings. I find they never fit properly at my underarm. But I guess that’s me being fussy!
Anna: I absolutely love the big collar and the pleats at the bottom (although I would leave out the trim). I share Silvia’s concern about kimono sleeves: they can be tricky to wear.
Silvia: Cute capri pants. Though I associate capri pants with summer rather than winter, it’s a cute pattern. What you don’t see are the nice darts at the back that allow for back shaping and two sets of pockets.
Not to mention the pants are from H&M that makes the only pants patterns that fit me perfectly. So I would really be curious to check how they would fit me.
What’s your take on the print?

Anna: Cute pants! I like the slits in the back. Basic straight pants are one type of patterns that LMB includes in almost every issue, so if you’re a regular buyer like me, they might be a bit boring.
Silvia: Last year I failed completely at my peplum top attempt. I am tempted to give it another go with this pattern. It’s sleeveless so I don’t need to worry about my forward shoulders as much. I will keep this pattern for my spring sewing list. And I could even make that cute peter pan collar!
Anna: This top is cute, but it looks like the waist seam hits the model at an awkward spot… Maybe it’s a bit too long? The collar is absolutely adorable, although it looks a bit weird in this photo.
Silvia: Give me a structured blazer in black and I am happy! I am not convinced about the rounded collar as I never wore any. But I do like everything else about this pattern
Anna: On the contrary, I don’t like much about this pattern. The rounded collar and the big buttons make this look a bit old for me…

Silvia: Before you start screaming at the sight of these pants as I initially did…let me point out these are a Hoss Intropia pattern. Now I am curious. Has your opinion changed? Let’s be clear. I can’t wear those. But if you can or you simply like the baggy palazzo look you have the pattern!

Anna: This is an interesting pattern, but I wonder how many “real” women can wear these pants without looking utterly ridiculous. I mean, they are HUGE.

Silvia: I have been looking for a princess seam shirt for some time. So I am bookmarking this one. I want to try the fit of something different from Burda. The shirt is from a glamorous Italian brand called Carla G. I have some shot cotton waiting in my stash…do you think it would be suitable?
Anna: I don’t really like the cuffs of this shirt, but the princess seams are interesting.
My goodness, the styling of this shoot is truly horrible. Why the f is the model wearing a feather brooch on her waist?
Silvia: No, I don’t like the print but that doesn’t mean I don’t like the pattern. Yes, princess seams means 14 pattern pieces but that also gives you the flexibility of adjusting the fit where you need it. I am probably biased as I am making a similar pattern at the moment…What’s your take on that?
Anna: I’m also not crazy about the print but I love me a double-breasted jacket. And this is a Moschino pattern, wow!

Silvia: Suede skirt anyone? Again you need the tech drawing to see that it’s not your regular skirt. I wouldn’t make it unless I added at least 15 cm (6 inches) and changed fabric
Anna: Beautiful skirt, I wish the styling made it justice. Oh, and it’s Valentino, isn’t that nice?
Silvia: If you want an Escada pattern without the price tag this is for you. The tech drawing makes it more appealing to me than the photo. But I fear it would be too wide and short for my liking. Anyone for this one?
Anna: I have the same concerns as Silvia about this pattern, too short and boxy. Moreover, much like the other pieces in this shoot, it looks like it belongs to a collection from 20 years ago…

Silvia: What would be a woman’s wardrobe without a pencil skirt? 😉 I am puzzled about the lack of darts at the front…would need to try to check the fit! I hate sewing darts!
Anna: I don’t like skirts with side slits at all, so this isn’t for me. But as Silvia said, a pencil skirt is a must have for every woman!
Silvia: I adore those cuffs and the fitted sleeves. To me this is a very interesting pattern design
Anna: This is definitely interesting, but once again, it looks like such an old style to me… Pass.

Silvia: Yeah this is just what I need! No don’t judge me for that! This is the perfect pattern for my flamenco class! A gored skirt is fitted yet has the volume you need at the bottom. I would need to lengthen it (or not as I doubt the model is 5.3”!) Now, as you can see my need is rather specific but would you make it?
Anna: Mmh… I’ll pass on this one as well. That length wouldn’t be flattering on me at all.
Silvia: Shiny animal print is not something I’d go for. I find the sleeve and front too baggy. if you look at the pattern, it’s a regular dartless shirt. So maybe this makes it versatile? I am dithering.
Anna: I do like the collar of this shirt, but as Silvia, mentioned, there’s a lot of bagginess everywhere in this pattern. Judging from the shoulder pads, this looks (again) like something from more than 15 years ago.
Silvia: Leather dress anyone? I like the topstitching detail and cuffs. The pattern is not bad either.  If I look at this from my body perspective I would need more shaping at the waist, but I am pear-shaped.

Anna: Eeek, this photo made me cringe. This dress looks like a leather sack with a weird pleat down the front. No, thanks.

Silvia: If you want my honest opinion…Well, I don’t like the recent leggings trend and I don’t see how you can wear such a short dress with those see-through stockings. Depending on the mood I am in, I find it even cheap. I said it!
But I like the collar and I could wear it with pants, right? Not to mention I would be a quick project perfect for sewing with knits. It reminds me on a Sailing on the lake Pattern  I shared when I first started this blog
Anna: Yeah, the styling here is incredibly tacky and it kills this pattern for me. I have no idea how I’d wear this, so I’ll just rely on other knit patterns I like better.
Silvia: Love love this dress! I am thinking I could make the top bodice part in a chiffon. The bodice dart design is similar to the Burda dress I made last year…I am telling you it’s a pain to pivot and turn but it’s cute nonetheless. Can you believe the fabric is actually leather?
Anna: Cute pattern, as Silvia I think it would look much cuter in lighter fabrics, especially with a contrast at the top. It’s similar to Colette’s Macaron or Salme’s Yoke dress.
Silvia:  After a few issues where models were somewhat fake plus sizes, I am happy to see a real person again. I like this dress pattern. However, I’d like to add a few comments on the photography… This is how you can make a person features stand out in the wrong way.  The camera probably had a wide-angle lens and the result is this unsightly wide-angle distortion problem (check out the link as she has a nice explanation) See how her legs and below-the-waist seem huge and her head small? I’m sorry to say but a professional photographer should know better!

Pattern 39 is a variation. Instead of the pleat they added a dart which removes some volume.

Silvia: I don’t particularly like this dress…but it could come in handy if you have a fabric design with a large print.
Anna: My goodness, this dress is so tacky! Moreover, it looks absolutely inappropriate on a woman this age… Again, I think this lady is really beautiful, but if the LMB had to shoot these dresses for this issue, they should have looked for a different model.
Silvia: With Christmas approaching you may need a clutch. The designs are rather simple and you could certainly find some online for free…but I could use it to make a small leather clutch as I never made any.
Anna: Love these two clutches, especially the one with the scalloped edge. I’m really happy when they include accessories patterns.

Silvia: If you are not addicted as I am to sewing blogs, you may find this pattern interesting and useful. For sure I haven’t seen any lately with a buttonhole that allows you to slide one end of the scarf through.

Anna: I just said I like accessories patterns, but not this one. It’s a really simple one to figure out on your own and the suggested fabric here is so ugly…

Silvia: Peter Pan collars are all over on the web so this is not a novel pattern. But I have to remind myself that not everyone is always online for work and leisure…statistics don’t lie right?

Anna: It’s cute, but it’s so narrow! It looks more like a necklace than an actual collar.

Below is a pattern list recap…as said have a look at the rest on Anna’s blog.

Conclusion for November:

The styling, makeup and photography are the biggest issue. Though I liked some photos. My take would be…less flashy makeup, better posing and send the photographers on a course or just ask them read some photography blogs, please.

 

Disclaimer: Silvia received this copy of La Mia Boutique for review. The opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine and Anna’s.

VERSIONE ITALIANA