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Thursday 17 January 2019

Review Knipmode January and February 2019 and a giveaway



Back by popular demand: the monthly review of pattern magazine Knipmode. A double edition, because although we're barely two weeks into 2019 I'm already two months behind!


Pattern overview Knipmode January 2019

The January issue offers a few winter coats, as well as jackets and cardigans.



The long camel coat comes with separate pattern pieces for a large detachable faux fur collar for a dramatic look. The line drawing for the jacket on the left (#25) suggests more of a flare in the peplum than the sample shows, something that is seen more often lately. (I just put the toile for a Knipmode blouse aside where the statement sleeve wasn't making much of a statement at all)

Plenty of useful basics in this issue, some of them are pictured in a 'seven days, seven ways' mix & match collection. Nice way of showing how to make a capsule wardrobe by choosing coordinated colours and fabrics.



This month's designer dress (21) is on trend with Victorian style pintucks, bowneck and puff sleeves. Not sure why the designer chose a busy cat print for such a detailed design?



The new quick and easy category is aimed at young beginners. The dress and hooded cardigan share the same pattern pieces and there's also a sweater version with a cowl in the mix. I like this idea of offering an easy to fit pattern with the option to learn new skills like adding pockets or a zipper on the next version.



A sleek jersey dress, a romantic skirt and high waisted stretch pants with a side zipper. All nice patterns that could be wardrobe staples when paired with the right fabric.



For me the January highlight was the sweater dress on the left. So much so that I'm already wearing it as we speak. I made a sweater version in a pine green sweater knit and that zippered neckline is wonderful.


Read on for a giveaway of the January magazine!


But first more on the February edition.




This issue seems to be in the 'love it or hate it' category. On social media readers are either saying they want to make absolutely everything, or they won't bother to take out the pattern sheets at all. 
I'm surprised by these strong reactions as so many different styles made it into this magazine.
The first impression is that of a rather sporty vibe.



A solid active wear collection. At least the accessories suggest this is meant to be worn in the gym. 
Or not?



Hybrids? The most puzzling of this lot is the dress on the right, which has a kangaroo style pocket that goes all the way from waistline to hem. Imagine your phone ringing at knee level! Not to mention diving down your skirt to track down tiny dog treats. 




And now for something completely different: Parisian chic. A classic dress, Chanel style jacket, also in a longer robe manteau version, and a silk pussy bow blouse.




And in the miscellaneous section there are several pants, tunics and skirts.

Last but not least the designer dress (21). A beautiful wrap bodice and a pretty ruched skirt.





Earlier I mentioned a giveaway. One that marks a special, albeit forgotten, occasion. 
I completely forgot to celebrate my first lustrum as a blogger! 
In September 2013 I started my blog, mostly to document what I made and as a way to remember the pattern adjustments I made. Blogging may be a wee bit more time consuming than writing on a sticky note, it's also much safer. I've never lost my project notes again!

Five years ago I could never imagine I would still be blogging today. And I certainly could not foresee how this blog would lead to meeting so many wonderful sewing friends from all over the world, both online and in real life. 

To celebrate this milestone I will send a copy of the January Knipmode magazine to one follower of this blog who is brave enough to trace, who is not easily scared by pattern pieces without seam allowances and who will fearlessly tackle that other (sorry!) minor roadblock, formed by Dutch instructions.


Just let me know if you're in for the challenge, I will send worldwide.
Your comments and support are always much appreciated. Thank you all so much for following along!


Disclaimer: this review contains no affiliate links. I paid for my copies and all opinions are my own. Patterns are available as pdf or printed pattern in the Knipmode webshop. Photocredits: Knipmode







41 comments:

  1. Your blog is one of my favorites and I follow it through Carolyn's blog. I am amazed by all of you that do maintain a blog and I really appreciate it. It has helped me get back into sewing which I did for years then as I got larger and hard to fit I dropped out. But I am so encouraged by all the blogs and what I see. I would love to get a copy of the January Knipmode. It is funny as I looked thru the drawings the dress/tunic (15) you mention was the one that caught my eye. That would be the first one I would trace off. In any event, again, thank you for continuing the blog. Jean

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    1. Nice to meet you, Jean! I am glad you found your way back into sewing. Fitting issues can be challenging indeed, but isn't it nice to end up with pretty handmade garments after all that hard work?

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  2. This is the first time I saw your blog. I found it through Carolyns Blog. I would love to win a copy of the January Knipmode

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    1. My name is Yolanda Reynolds My email is msyp1@aol.com. In case I win

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    2. Hi Yolanda, nice to meet you and thanks for following along!

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  3. HI. I grew up with a German mother who used Burda patterns so I know it's not as scary as one might think! I have enjoyed following along on your blog, especially when you make up Cashmerette patterns. Thank you for the give-away.

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    1. Hi Denise! Thank you. There are definitely more Cashmerette patterns in my sewing queue. Have you made them yourself? Would like to hear what's your favourite!

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  4. So nice to see your Knipmode reviews again. Do you think the new editor has had much impact on the magazine yet? The Feb edition is a bit more interesting, especially the sports jacket (designs 1&2). Looking forward to seeing your version of the sweater.

    Congrats on your blogging milestone. Here's to another 5 years!

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    1. Thanks! We've seen snippets of the new editors but because the magazines are produced months ahead of publication the impact so far was limited. In March the new direction will be visible, in many aspects as the chief designer also retired in autumn. There has been a long overdue survey and I was happy to see a subtle change of tone, the questions were no longer predominantly aimed at beginners. We'll see in a few weeks time!

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    2. Sounds promising. I keep hoping they will do some interesting shirt and pant patterns again

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  5. Hi Marianne! You know how much I love sewing magazines! Congratulations on your blog! I enjoy reading it very much.

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    1. Thanks Janet! A blog without readers and comments is just a digital notebook, so thanks for following along!

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  6. I am totally up for the challenge, Knipmode seem to produce great pieces and it is a shame the magazine is quite hard to get hold of. I have discovered though that it is possible to download pdfs of individual patterns through so I really appreciate your reviews of them.

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    1. Downloading is easy and I think the price is very reasonable, compared to other pattern companies. When there are multiple views they are all included, even when they have different pattern numbers. I often wonder why the publisher's marketing people aren't pushing for an English edition, or an English webshop.

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  7. Congratulations on your 5 years of blogging. It takes more time to blog but agree that it's a great way to connect with other sewists (maybe we might meet some day?) and I like to occassionally browse old posts on my own blog, just to see/remember what I did.
    Got my own copy of the magazine, so no need to put my name in the draw. Anyway it's nicer to send it to someone who can't get easy hold of it.

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    1. I was just thinking the other day that I've met more foreign sewing pals than Dutch bloggers. Meeting you would be wonderful!

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  8. (nog) gefeliciteerd met je jubileum! Ah het is verleidelijk om mee te doen met de giveaway, maar ik merk dat de Knipmode patronen niet echt mijn smaak zijn. Ik heb een tijdje geleden een proefabonnement gehad en elke keer vond ik de patronen zo tegenvallen. Maar ik heb deze week wel mijn eerste item gemaakt uit de Knipmode!

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    1. Dank je! Zijn het de patronen, of heeft het ook met de presentatie te maken? Ik vind dat er in iedere Knipmode wel een of meerdere patronen staan die veel aandacht zouden genereren als ze door een indie pattern company als individueel patroon op de markt gebracht zouden worden. De stofkeuze en styling zouden wel wat spannender mogen zijn!

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  9. I am fierce!...give me something to trace and I will!...LOL

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    1. Good to know the readers of this blog are dare devils ;)

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  10. Congratulations on your belated blogaversary.
    I'm always amazed at your productivity...both in the sewing room and the garden. I struggle to keep a pot plant alive!
    Whilst I do love a good KnipMode, please don't include me in the giveaway...I have enough patterns for the year (even though the knit dresses are wonderful!).

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    1. Come on, Evie! You can't compare the productivity of an empty nester to that of someone who is doing school runs and raising dance champions!

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  11. I am definitely up for the challenge. Congrats on your blogaversary!

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    1. Thanks, Andie! I know you're up to it. Drawing the winner in a minute!

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  12. I recently discovered your blog. I am happy to find someone else, who blogs about Knipmode in other languages than Dutch.
    But I won't participate in your giveaway, as I use the German version.
    But thank you for your Knipmode posts.
    By the way, my blog is www.sagaifarver.dk
    I have mainly made refashions lately, but have committed myself to sew at least one thing from Knipmode/Fashion Style Magazine each month in 2019.

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    1. Hi, nice to meet you! That's a nice challenge. I hope you're not too strict in your rules as sometimes I want to sew multiple patterns from one issue and none from the next. Good luck!

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    2. And you too. Thank you. My rule is only to sew one thing from the magazines each month, not that is has to be from the most recent magazine.

      I look forward to the translated versions of January and February. The German ones are always almost a month later than the original, so I wait impatiently while people rave about new patterns.

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  13. I also like that you review knipmode in English. I can sort of make out the instructions but definitely did not learn technical Dutch sewing terms. Happily I can email one of my aunts for help.
    We definitely don’t get knipmode here in Canada.
    Rena

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    1. Hi Rena. It is possible to get an overseas subscription or you could download the patterns as pdf. Is your family Dutch?

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  14. Congratulations on five years of blogging- it a great achievement when all your posts are so interesting and inspiring. I don't have any problems with tracing patterns and adding seam allowances. My mother used to pay me a small amount to trace from her Burda magazines in the 70s so I have been doing it for a long time!

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad you find the posts inspiring. Ooh, a paid tracing job? You're a professional! What a nice way to earn extra pocket money!

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  15. Congratulations on your blogiversary! That sweater dress looks lovely; looking forward to seeing your version. I'm trained on the tracing and seam allowances from Ottobre, but I think I could take on the Dutch too.

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    1. Thank you! My sweater turned out really well, just what I need now as it's freezing! Knipmode is indeed very similar to Ottobre.

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  16. Ooh, I would love to win this! I was drawn to #15 in the line drawings too, before I saw you made it too! I've been having problems with my heat and so I've been paging through my Burdas looking for something warm to make!

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    1. Bummer! I hope you succeeded in sewing something nice and cosy to keep you warm!

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  17. Mary- pdxsquared19 January 2019 at 19:25

    I had already considered buying PDFs for some of the January styles but I MUCH prefer tracing from the magazine sheets. I do enjoy your blog and all the help you have given me with Knip Mode. Here's to ten more years!

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    1. Team tracing for the win! Sometimes PDF's are the only option, but it's never my first choice!

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  18. Gefeliciteerd met je lustrum! En bedankt voor de uitgebreide blogjes over veel patronen en wat je gemaakt hebt! Hopelijk volgen er nog veel :-)
    (Ik ben vele modebladen aan het opruimen en sla het meedingen naar het tijdschrift daarom over.)

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    1. Dank je! Moeilijk he, om tijdschriften weg te doen!

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  19. I'm up for the challenge! I liked the look of the January edition but not the February (the Marmite edition?).
    I look forward to your blog but like you, I'm running behind!

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    1. Your name is in the hat! Mr F took pictures, so blog is coming soon!

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