At the beginning of spring I stopped reviewing new Knipmode magazines. For no particular reason, other than being busy. Recently there were few signs that people might be missing these reviews. In a discussion at the Curvy Sewing Collection site it was mentioned that there used to be much more information on pattern magazines available before bloggers shifted from blogging to Instagram. I decided to check the stats for my blog to see if anyone was actually reading my reviews. Guess what? This week alone over 250 people read the old post about the August 2016 issue, I presume most of them were looking for news about August 2017. The biggest surprise of all was the number one search entry: книпмоде. Coming from a Russian sewing forum. Hi there!
So I thought I might do a quick recap of recent months to see what's new. Today it's April, May and June, later this week July and August. All patterns can be downloaded as pdf here.
The regular April issue had some useful patterns, but nothing that really caught my eye. One of the new trends: lingerie inspired tops and dresses. What do you think? I'm afraid it will make me look like I've lost my marbles and forgot my dressing routine. Does a slipdress worn over a shirt become a dress?
My favourite item in this issue was again the menswear. This pattern is already traced to make for mr Foxgloves in a wonderful navy twill.
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| Bomber jacket |
The April supplement was a bridal special, containing a three piece bridal gown and several pretty dresses for wedding guests.
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| Dress, overskirt and top |
Colourful and summery dresses for all guests, except for the poor mother of the bride who is all buttoned up in beige.
May was the month we'd all been looking forward to ever since Knipmode announced a new designer collaboration. De jurken van Janice (dresses by Janice) is a new monthly feature. The dresses are accompanied by an instruction video on the Knipmode YouTube channel. Ready for the first 'designer dress'?
Not a top notch first impression, to put it mildly. The only thing distinguishing this dress from a regular Knipmode pattern is the use of a finer fabric. (The feature is sponsored by a higher end fabric shop). In fact this dress looks like a simplified version of for instance dress # 1 from April (check the pattern overview above). The designer tells us this dress was inspired by the 30s charleston style. Blahblahblah. Curious to see where this is going.
The rest of the May issue has a patriotic vibe with red, white and blue, tulips and orange. Both the colour and the House of Orange as once again a collection is inspired by Queen Maxima.
June was all about dresses. The bodice of dress 5 (below in orange, second from the right) has interesting seam lines. The pink dress on the left (14) is not an A-line dress but has a waistband behind the models arm.
One of the benefits of delayed reviews is seeing some of these patterns pop up in the blogosphere.
Camelia made a lovely version of the dress on the left (#10), you can find her blogpost here
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| June designer dress |
The designer dress (26) looks somewhat more interesting than last month's, but apart from the slightly more glamorous styling it's not really different from the rest of the dresses in this issue.
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| All patterns come in EU sizes 34-54, except for the bikinis |
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| Polo shirt |
Well, that was a long and picture heavy post! Another catch up post will follow soon and then it's back to monthly reviews. And sewing of course! I have a few unblogged items waiting for pictures but unfortunately my iron broke down and I'm not ready for a wrinkle fest.
To be continued!
Disclaimer: this review contains no affiliate links. I paid for my copy and all opinions are my own. Photocredits: Knipmode
Disclaimer: this review contains no affiliate links. I paid for my copy and all opinions are my own. Photocredits: Knipmode
i love to read reviews of pattern magazines, so if it's not too much trouble please do them! although one of these days I would like to try a KnipMode pattern - so your posts may tempt me :)
ReplyDeleteConsider it done! I've noted future release dates and hope to keep up from now on.
DeleteYour past reviews of Knipmode encouraged me to subscribe early this year so I for one am very greatful for your excellent reviews. I thought the beige mother of the bride suit was really sad because the technical drawing shows the jacket has very interesting design features that are completely lost in that fabric.
ReplyDeleteIt's like they chose the fabric on purpose, thus sending the message that older women should blend into the background. I agree it could look nice in a different fabric, maybe with 3/4 sleeves and nice jewellery. How do you like your subscription so far?
DeleteI enjoy your reviews, Marianne, if for nothing else, because your great sense of humor comes through! You will definitely not find me in one of those slip dresses, especially with sneakers! What a comical look. The poor MOB would look much happier in a pale pink or mint green color, and in a dress rather than a suit. Anyway, fun to see these styles and selections. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine the slipdress and sneaker combo being the next big fashion hit either but I've been wrong before! More reviews, and surprising trends, coming soon.
DeleteMaybe the MOB is wearing a slip dress under that sad beige jacket...:>) I love checking in to see what you have to say, really whatever topic you would like to share. I hope that posting still brings you joy and doesn't feel like a chore!
ReplyDeleteO, that's so old school! Maybe she didn't get the memo but I do hope she lost that jacket on the dance floor! Posting never feels like a chore although taking pictures often does. It still feels awkward to smile in front of a tripod. More reviews coming soon!
DeleteI enjoy your reviews.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the MOB outfit is drab and uninspiring.
Good to hear, Anne! Will try to do a better job from now on.
DeleteI enjoy your reviews too and I am very grateful to you for the time it takes and for reminding me that Knipmode is another alternative when searching for the right pattern.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marjorie. I just need to remind myself to write the reviews in time.
DeleteI have a subscription on Knipmode, so I get it anyway 😁 but I still like to read your reviews. Because of your #knipmodechallenge I started to look more at my magazines and try to really make some of the patterns...but as you know I didn't manage to keep the challenge. Something I wonder everytime I see an interesting pattern in the Knip; if it was a pattern from an indie company everybody would have been all WOW but beeing in the magazine is just "gewoon".In the August issue they have that red jacket, also made in a sleevles dress, what an interesting pattern...need to think about a fabric for the dress.I do think that "designer" feature is not so interesting...and for some people beeing a Pdf is also a big no , not for me ...but the designs are so not inspiring is not really worthing my paper:)Sorry for the long message, glad you liked my dress.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about some of the patterns being more interesting than the newest, shiny and widely praised indie patterns. Yet it's so easy for us to overlook because we all seem to take Knipmode for granted. For me writing reviews is a way to look more thoroughly at the offerings. Now to find time to use all these patterns!
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