Wednesday, March 2, 2011

New kid on the block

So while I may not be the last to climb on the My Image bandwagon, I feel like I'm a little behind the curve here. Melissa and NancyK have both mentioned it recently, and I know I've seen talk on other blogs as well.

The other day, I finally got my hands on a copy (thank you, Andrea!), and I understand the enthusiasm. The styles in the magazine are almost as good as BWOF when they're good, and better by far than BWOF at their more lackluster. The photography is more catalog quality than fashion magazine, and the models are, too. They look much more "average" than the tall - or photoshop-lengthened - BWOF models. I don't think this is a bad thing at all.















Other than their obvious affinity for loud prints which obscure style lines, I have no real commentary on their styling. (And I'm not really one who should talk about prints, but we won't go there right now.)

Quite a few patterns struck me in that first issue, but aside from knit tops, skirts are always a safe place to start. There's a pieced skirt that's calling to me. I've included the entire line drawing sheet here (click to enlarge) and it's #1114 at the bottom. Both versions in the magazine are done in denim, and the topstitching isn't done in a contrast color so you can't see the lines of the piecing. I'm thinking about doing mine in khaki, with contrast thread, and changing from a fly front to a side zip, both to make it more work-friendly and also because I just don't like fly front skirts.

I traced the pieces off, but it was after 10:00 p.m. (well after), and I know better by now. I can continue sewing after 10:00 if my head's clear and all is going well, but I can't start anything challenging, even relatively simple cutting, that late. I'm bound to screw something up.

Sometimes it's just better to turn off the machine and go read sewing books. I got a new one recently I'm really enjoying. Review to follow shortly.

9 comments:

Elaray said...

Looks like there are no plus size patterns in My Image. Otherwise, I'd be right on it!

Mary said...

I saw you can order plus sizes at their website for a reasonable price.

Tina said...

I really like this magazine. I only made garmant from it so far, but it was a garment that sewed up well. My one biggest gripe is their instructions. I can't understand teh terminoligy. And I can see how it could get frustrating for a new sewer.

Shannon said...

I just got this issue and I like that skirt, too... with a couple extra inches of length! I really want to make that double breasted dress with the elastic waist. I read over some of the instructions, and Tina is right- they look frustrating!

Mary said...

The quality of the instructions are similar to other small non-English magazines. I think they are fine...

The Slapdash Sewist said...

Interesting... Thanks for posting the line drawing. Please let us know how the sizing ends up comparing to BWOF. Looks like most things start at 38 and having to grade every item I'd want to sew 2 sizes is enough to put me off. But if their 38 is a BWOF 36, it's doable.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

I have the same comment as Elaray - without any plus size patterns to choose, I have very little interest in this magazine. However, it will be interesting to see what you sew from it.

Nancy K said...

The models look more like normal women but taller than the ones that Ottobre uses. I like the knit dress with the asymmetrical neckline and ruched seam. A bit longer though. I also liked the simple jacket thinking that with short sleeves that this would be a good summer layering piece.

Anonymous said...

The patterns look great, but the magazine stylist should be shot. The fabrics are utterly hideous.