La Mia Boutique Reviews

La Mia Boutique 12/2013 Review and Giveaway

cover

Christmas issues are traditionally all about evening gowns, loads of sparkle, gold, red… This La Mia Boutique is somewhat different. Let’s dive in, shall we?

This time Anna and I split the patterns in a slightly different way…to keep some variety. We hope you like it. Don’t forget to check Anna’s blog and leave her a comment if you like the review!

Per i lettori italiani: Scusate ma non ce l’ho fatta a tradurre questo post. Però potete usare la traduzione automatica di Google in ITALIANO

2
Silvia: A stunning dress with very interesting pleating. It’s correctly marked as advanced. When I first saw the print I was not so convinced about it, but now even the print is growing on me. I’d love to have an event to wear it to…It would be perfect to go to a wedding or even as a wedding gown. You can shorten the skirt or even make just the skirt. It’s meant to be sewn with a jersey fabric…and if you look at the pattern pieces the construction is not as difficult as I initially thought…oh…I think I am in love!
Anna: I agree, this is a stunner, even more so in this length, but as Silvia rightfully pointed out, it would also look great in a shorter length, or as a skirt. I think I too am in love 🙂

3
Silvia: Another great dress! Certainly more wearable on a daily basis that the previous. I love the inverted dart design that reminds me of the top from the same designer I made some months ago. And the asymmetrical design at the front is so unique (Kelli from True Bias says asymmetrical skirts are the latest trend!). I am very tempted by this one too…I would love it if the sleeves were actually so fitted…it’s so hard to find fitted sleeves!
Anna: Again, I agree. I think Silvia said all there was to say about the interesting details of this dress, so I’ll just join her and stare at it in awe.
6
Silvia:Another advanced pattern with loads of draping and pleats. Certainly the print makes it hard to see the details. What I find interesting is that there’s a pleated panel on top of a regular skirt so you could easily remove it if you don’t like it and simply have a cowl dress.
Anna:If I liked the previous dresses, I am IN LOVE with this one. I don’t know if it’s the cowl neck or all the draping going on, but I really like it. The busy print really doesn’t make it justice, it would look so much better in a solid.
8
Silvia:No, this cape is a big no no for me. I have generally a problem with capes in my wardrobe. Thought it make look great on some, I know as a fact that I would look horrible in it. But it’s certainly a quick project to make and there’s not much fitting involved.
Anna:Pass for me as well. As I mentioned before, I like the idea of capes but I find them utterly impractical. This one just looks like a blanket, so I’m not interested at all.
9-10
Silvia:I could make the blouse on if I skipped the bow part and even then I doubt I would like it. Personally, I prefer fitted tops. The print to me looks outdated…but I know it may be hip right now…What do you think?
The pants are an interesting pattern as you could play with color blocking, unfortunately skinny is out for me.
Anna:Once again I agree with Silvia. I don’t like anything in the blouse; the pants might be cute, but definitely not on me. Pity.
12
Silvia:This is definitely something I wouldn’t wear, not my style, never has been. I like red though!
Anna:This dress (and the styling) made me cringe a little bit. It looks like a towel wrapped around the model’s body. No thanks.
15
Silvia:I like the dress structure…would be great for a party. I couldn’t wear it not so much for the length 😉 but rather because I’d need to add straps and remove the low/high hem…but it’s certainly something as a seamstress you can fix quite easily. I am curious, what alterations would you make to this dress?
Anna:Wow, the key word here is “MINIdress”… But Silvia is right, you could always lengthen it or change the skirt entirely. It’s way too stiff for my taste, anyway.
18-19
Silvia:Underwear! Cool! I am still a newbie in that area but I love these patterns! I may be revealing too much here but that underwear has my name written on it!
Anna:Silvia and I talked about underwear before writing this review (wow, that might sound bad), and we found out that we have quite different taste.
I don’t know if I would make these, I’m not too enthusiastic nor let down.
21-22
Silvia:Well, bras are very personal. Certainly this pattern is very doable at home but I realize it may not be everyone’s favorite. The panties shown here are more of a brazilian cut panties (at least that’s what the description says)…or maybe just a bikini (if I look at the drawing). Burning question to the readers: what would you call these panties?
Anna:I haven’t worn a bra like that one since I was 13, I think, so this pattern is definitely not for me. I might consider the panty pattern, but I’m not too thrilled about sewing lingerie at the moment.
34
Silvia:Oh, no…why? Well, I would say yes if that was meant to be a coat to wear around the house…otherwise sorry but I hate the fabric and I don’t find it flattering on the model either.
Anna:I don’t mind it all, actually, fabric and all. It surely isn’t the most flattering cut, but it looks cute and cozy to me!
37-38
Silvia: A nice basic blouse…a quick project too as there are no sleeves to set in. The pants are for knits so they could come in handy too. May I say that I find the shoes don’t go with the outfit at all? If you like them though, they are from the current Frau collection (this Italian brand makes very good quality shoes!)
Anna:Ahah, that’s the first thing I thought as well: cute, but WHY with those shoes?
That blouse is really cute and it looks like an easy gratification project, but it doesn’t come in my size.
32
Silvia:An advanced pattern for this hobo bag. I sew very little bags and personally I wouldn’t expect to find these patterns on La mia boutique (or Burda for that matter). So I’ll pass on it.
Anna: I like this bag and the fact that LMB is starting to include more accessories patterns, but just like Silvia, I don’t think I would invest the time in this one. Too many clothes to sew!

La-mia-boutique-122013-pattern-list
12/2013

 

Christmas Gift from La Mia Boutique

I am attempting to use Rafflecopter to count easily…I am keeping my fingers crossed it works out…if not I will just switch back to regular comments.

You can vote until December 18, 2013

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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52 thoughts on “La Mia Boutique 12/2013 Review and Giveaway”

  2. Hi Silvia et Anna,
    I like this new format of your magazine reviews. My favourite pattern is Dress n°3, just perfect for the workplace!!
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  3. I think this issue is terrific , so many styles that are wearable . I used to get Burda but stopped because the styles were getting repetitive and boring.

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  6. I love the dress #03! I browsed through this issue at a kiosk recently and really liked that dress. The underwear patterns might also come in handy, though I’ve already found a panty pattern that works well for me. Mostly I’d really like to try that dress. (:

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  7. I really like dress number three, although it seems a bit more formal than what I normally wear. I would definitely make up the underwear- easy gratification. 🙂
    I love that you guys review these for us- it’s new to me.

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  8. I love lots of the dresses in this issue, but I think I would be most likely to make no 6 – is it for knit fabric? I so look forward to your reviews every month, and I think the new format works well!

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  10. My favourite is the cover dress, oh is so nice, but I just don`t have any reason to make such a dress 🙂 …or maybe that is the reson :).
    Altough I think that if I will buy this issue will be for that (outdated)blue jacket, I really like the details on that one.
    Thank you and Anna for the great reviews.

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  12. It is funny because I typically avoid anything draped because I don’t like the style but that #6 dress may have just won be over to the drape-side. STUNNING. I’d get rid of the under skirt and just keep the tulip skirt portion! LOVE it. And the next pattern I’d make would for sure be those #10 pants! LOVE skinny pants and LOVE the colour blocking potential! YAY LMB!

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  14. Love the #2 dress and #3 as well. I’d want to try the bag as well depending on how huge it is (I’m not very big and some bags can be a bit overwhelming). I love the neckline and slope of the arms on that cape, and can see throwing it on to walk the dogs and stay cozy warm.

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  16. I liked the cover dress, but really liked the formal black dress, number 11, I think. My daughter would want several – and, no, she has no need for them either. But what fun!

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  17. Oops, not sure if I did the giveaway entry right. Anyway….

    I pretty much agree with all you both have to say about these (I have mixed feelings about the lingerie)! My favorite, I think, is the seamed pants. I’ve got so many skirts especially, and some dresses, but not enough pants. It’s getting really cold here and I need to fix that!

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  18. I would really like to make the last bag pattern you showed. I make a lot of bags and that one is just my style.

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  19. There are actually quite a few things I like from this issue but I especially like the entire cape/blouse/pants outfit. It would be fabulous for my daughter.

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  21. The first three dresses are gorgeous, the rest of it is just mweh… I think they really should work on their fabric choices… I like the bag though…

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  22. Mi favorito es el vestido con la tela en tonos verdes, aunque todo hay que decirlo, a la chica no le queda muy bien…a una persona con más curvas le quedaría mejor. El pantalón que va con la blusa también me gusta, en plan colour blocking quedaría guay! Y el patrón del bolso también mola mucho.
    Muchas gracias por el sorteo Silvia!!!

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  25. I love dress number 3, but I would be more likely to sew the knit pants #38 and top #39.

    Thank you for hosting the giveaway and Merry Christmas.

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  30. I would have to go with the #4+5 combo as my top pick. I like a lot of the fancy dresses, but being a commitment phobe I tend to go for separates.

    The faux bolero neckline of the top is a style I’ve always liked ever since designers like Sybilla and Romeo Gigli showed them in the late 80’s early 90s.

    The rusching on the skirt butt doesn’t worry me. Like a lot of oriental people, my behind is a bit flat. So the rusching might help make it look less flat!

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  31. Thanks for the giveaway! I don’t see the real difference between the Brazilian and regular undies…. Maybe it’s just me…. But if I win I promise to make both types in the name of science!

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    1. Inna, I am so happy you found LMB! Looking forward to your feedback when you make a pattern. And of course if you have Italian questions let me know…though I know you are a language wizard!

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  34. I could never in a million years pull off the 2nd dress but it’s stunning on the model!! Plus can we talk about how weirdly stiff that mini dress is… way to ruin a perfectly fine pattern… :/

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  38. I love 06, the drapey and pleased dress. I think it would look great on, could be made for work attire or parties, and I would want to make it right away.

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  39. Well, I think I like the lingerie patterns most. That’s why I didn’t buy it – I pretty much hate everything else, or wouldn’t have the occasions to wear them. But I wouldn’t mind winning 😉

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  41. Thank you for the giveaway! I love reading your posts on LMB with Anna each month and really look forward to them. #11 dress is my favorite, even though I don’t have any occasion to wear it to yet. I also really like Jacket #7.

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  42. Thank you for the giveaway. I love your posts on LMB with Anna each month and really look forward to them! My favorite is the #11 dress – so beautiful – if I have time I would love to sew it then create an occasion to wear it:-) ! I also like coat #7 as it looks a lot like a coat I have which needs replacing.

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  43. Thank you for the giveaway! I love your posts on LMB with Anna and always look forward to them. My favorite is dress #11 – if I have time I would love to sew it then create an occasion to wear it. I also quite like coat pattern #7 as it resembles a coat I have which needs replacing.

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  46. This is a great issue; please include me in the drawing! I can’t decide whether I like dress #3 or #6 the best. I also really like top #4 but I’m on the fence about the skirt with the rear ruching. Unlike everyone else I think jacket #16 has potential if made in the right fabric; I keep wondering what this would look like in denim with topstitching or leather. I enjoy making my own underthings so I love that this issue also includes patterns for undergarments. Thank you for including me in this drawing.

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  47. The first 3 dresses are my faves. I especially love the first dress, but sadly I don’t have many occasions to wear a dress like that. Thank you for the thorough review!

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  48. Los vestidos mostrados aquí no son lo que yo adaptaría a mi vestidor, ciertamente… pero me ha encantado la ropa interior y la capa de abrigo, sería genial!! Feliz Navidad para tí también , mi querida Silvia!

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