We talked about my beloved Threads magazine a while back, and I thought it was time I gave Vogue Patterns magazine its due. I used to think this publication was just a glorified advertisement for Vogue Patterns (and let's be honest, a lot of it is). But I've actually read a couple issues lately instead of just ignorantly judging (I know, so unlike me!) and I'm impressed. In addition to the hit-or-miss fashion spreads, there are a lot of fantastic techniques-based articles.I think it's worth it for Clare Schaeffer's regular column alone - in this issue, it's about using self-fabric trim on Chanel-style jackets. There's also a detailed article on full bust adjustments with great pictures (not for me, but I know a lot of you ladies would love it), and an informative piece on the ruffler foot.
Things I'm not so crazy about are their "Accessories Updates" (if I wanted to look at a bunch of tchkotchkes and geegaws I could buy in a chain store, I'd read Lucky), and their styling can get a little hokey at times. Just look at the nautical spread this month: some of it is gorgeous, like Vogue 8577 done up in a crisp blue and white polka dot. (Must. have. this. pattern.)
But then there's pure cheesiness: a navy jacket complete with a gaudy anchor crest and military-style buttons? A classic dress done up in this fabric? (If you squint, you'll see that those are little life preservers, anchors, and other nautical emblems. Literal much, Vogue?)
Yikes. I can only think of one place where I'd like to see that print, and that's on the curtains of a toddler's bedroom.Anyway, back to the positive. The thing I like about their styled pattern spreads is that I'll often discover a pattern I wouldn't have noticed before, like the shirtwaist above. This, combined with the excellent technical stuff makes this magazine a worthwhile read, I think. I don't subscribe yet, but I think I'm on the verge. (Hint to Vogue: if you could offer something more substantial than a 10% off a subscription with a Club BMV membership, I'd sign up for both in a heartbeat! But I know times are tough right now.)
How about you? Are you a regular reader or subscriber?
I'm a regular subscriber and I too like the change to VPM! That Claire Schaeffer article taught me something I've been dying to learn and was worth the cost of the magazine to me.
ReplyDeleteI did subscribe through Club BMV for 2 years with the 10% off...I think it was a worthwhile deal.
I get the Vogue Magazine, like it, used to get the Butterick/McCalls. When that stopped, they transferred me to Vogue. I noticed alot shown this time seemed to be current rather than new patterns, but it was nice to see them in other fabrics. Like the info columns, too. I do not do Club BMV, I get patterns at Hancocks when they are on the cheap sales, keep a running list and add a few at a time.
ReplyDeleteI read VPM, but don't subscribe. I'm a big library girl and so check it out to read. Times are tough! :)
ReplyDeleteI started subscribing again after years of not because I agree that Claire Schaeffer's articles are worth the price. The fashions this issue on the other hand, had some truly ugly garments. I always dislike the sewing on their easy Vogue and this issue is right up there on that. There is just something about them that says homemade to me and not good homemade.
ReplyDeleteI have gleaned invaluable information from Vogue Patterns since I started reading only several months ago. There's so much great info there, but I don't know why they have to muck it up with the "cheese factor"(i.e. tchkotchkes, geegaws, anchors away fabric and all other manner of evil). It leaves me scratching my head, wondering if I'm some sort of sewing mag snob. I do love it when they highlight fabric shops in a particular city. I think it was the Feb. or March issue that they featured my home town of San Francisco and gave great info about what to expect from each store in terms of types of offerings, price range, all contact info. and more(I loathe nothing more than going out of my way to check out a shop that bills itself as carrying apparel fabrics, only to find that they are exclusively about quilting!). I think at the heart of this magazine there is a lot of good technical information. It doesn't give me the warm fuzzies like Threads, but it is a valuable read and great to have back issues in your sewing reference library. I haven't subscribed because I just don't subscribe to magazines. I either read them at the book store or get them second hand from the nice ladies at my local fabric store. Yes, call me a cheapskate.
ReplyDeleteI used to subscribe and gave up--Threads is just packed with SO much more valuable information per issue, and generally the spreads underwhelm in their styling (and the photos are on the website).
ReplyDeleteI do often flip through it in the store.
I've always been partial to Vogue patterns and was a magazine subscriber back in the mid-60's then dropped it in the 70's only to renew it thru BMV Club a couple years ago and have found new respect for the mag!
ReplyDeleteKaren
I'm a regular reader for about the last 4 years. I love the issues where they take a pattern and "re-style" it with a fabric that I may not have thought to use.
ReplyDeleteI haven't picked up to flip through--let alone buy--an issue of Vogue Patterns in age. Mostly because the last issue I bought (a good few years ago!) didn't impress me. However, the Claire Schaeffer column intrigues me; I've enjoyed her articles for Threads and books. I think next time I go to the base exchange I'll pick up a copy (they offer something like 10% off magazines; I tend to buy random issues of Threads this way! ;)... Thanks for the tip, Gertie!
ReplyDelete♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
Where does one even find these magazines for sale?
ReplyDeleteIrregular reader--I occasionally pick a copy up at the grocery store (all of the grocery stores I frequent in Denver carry it).
ReplyDeleteThe last time I went through my magazine piles, I ripped out tons of technique articles from various back issues. That is the main reason I buy it, though I like looking at the trends of the season without buying a 10-lb. magazine like Elle.
I had a subscription, but let it lapse. I don't sew or even buy very many Vogue patterns. I did subscribe to Sewing Today, the Butterick/McCalls magazine until it went out of production. I liked that one better.
ReplyDeleteSince BMV are owned by the same company, I wish they'd make Vogue Patterns magazine BMV as well.
I'm not very thrilled in the articles since, to me, most of them seem to be rehashes of articles or subjects already covered in Threads or Sewing Today or books.
When I was just starting out sewing, I bought a whole bunch of magazines and decided that Threads and BWOF were the one I would subscribe to. I think, at the time, Vogue felt like an extended advertisement. But I'll have to check it out again, based on your and others positive comments.
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to both Threads and Vogue patterns. I am still a beginner at sewing, i like to sew using patterns that are easy or very easy. I get some real good sewing tips from Threads. Love them both.
ReplyDeletePeter, I usuallly buy them at any old Barnes and Noble!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have had subscriptions to all the usual sewing mags, Vogue Patterns is the only one I get now. They do little coordinated mini wardrobes and I like to see how everything is styled. I like all the geegaws (accessories). They used to tell you what perfume the model was wearing! haha. Yes, it is one big advertisement. I don't usually buy the patterns but it gets me in a sewing mood.
ReplyDeleteI have been sewing forever and am not too interested in construction instruction.
Threads is kind of a downer for me because too many of the outfits look crafty.
BWOF fashions styles tend to be fussier looking than I like, plus I could never get into the tracing thing.
I've never seen this magazine and I'm not sure if we get it in Australia, but maybe they do in the cities. It looks interesting and from what others have said in the comments I think I would definitely buy this magazine. I like Vogue patterns; they seem to work well for my shape.
ReplyDeleteI have bought one issue of each of threads and vogue patterns and have been contemplating a subscription to either/both. I liked both, but like you I wasn't sure if it was a glorified advertisement for vogue patterns, but also like you I found a pattern in the mag that I probably wouldn't have otherwise noticed. Still deciding...
ReplyDeleteI have occasionally bought the magazine but don't subscribe. I would rather pay money for a subscription to Burda WOF because I get new patterns each month than to see a rehash of Vogue's pattern book. If they offered a new printable or included pattern in each issue, I'd probably be more inclined to subscribe.
ReplyDeleteIf you can, pick up a copy of a Vogue Patterns Magazine from the 70's. The fashion layouts are on location and really stunning. Take for example those tacky nautical outfits in the latest issue. If those were done in the 70's they would have been on a yacht in the Mediterranean making for a great look. But actually the fashions were much more difficult to make as evidenced by the patterns of the day. Not much was easy. In the winter issues back then there were tons of designer coats. Go back to the 50's or 60's and you'll see much the same...really beautiful clothes filmed beautifully. And each issue had informative articles aimed at the advanced sewer.I dropped my subscription to VoguePM after 30 years. Now I just pick up a copy if something catches my eye.
ReplyDeleteI've been a subscriber of Vogue Patterns for almost a year now and while they don't have quite as much in the way of technical advice and articles as Threads, I've been very happy with my subscription.
ReplyDeleteI've been a subscriber of Vogue Patterns for almost a year now and while they don't have quite as much in the way of technical advice and articles as Threads, I've been very happy with my subscription.
ReplyDeleteI don't read vogue patterns, vogue knitting is a different story. Though their patterns are a bit wacky crazy sometimes or just wrong I still buy every magazine. Since 2006 sometime.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I posted to comment that I love that childrens bedroom fabric. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Some people like ironic and cute stuff and it's hard to find that stuff unless you sew it your self or are willing to pay lots of money.
I have made a 50's dress with bugs and spider webs printed in navy on a pale lemon yellow background. It's one of my favourites. I also have a dress with a quilting pirate fabric on the bodice, and a garment fabric for the skirt, as quilting fabric doesnt hang very well.
Carol
ReplyDeleteYes we do get both Threads and Vogue Patterns in Aus. I usually find them in Borders but they are usually expensive because of the air freight.
Also a shout out to my fav mag shop, magnation on elizabeth street melbourne CBD just half a block up from Clegs. Mostly because they had a Yarn (Australian knitting magazine) party there a few years ago with sushi and wine but also because it's a small company, they have great coffee, free wifi and comfy seating for spending lots of time there. They have pretty much every magazine published there but I don't get into the city that often.
I like "sew simple" which is an offshoot of "sew news" magazine. It's more my speed as I'm not all that advanced in skill. It has a lot of just useful techniques that I like to refer back to in times of great frustration.
ReplyDeleteI had a subscription for a while and enjoyed it very much. I found the articles helpful. Right now I subscribe to Sew News, Threads, and Burda World of Fashion. I may renew at some point. It's good information.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten Vogue Patterns mag. for quite awhile. I enjoy the information and ideas for the patterns. I think it's worth the price & I too, belong to club BMV & if you buy lots of patterns or even just a few....it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteHelpful post, Gertie! I've been thinking lately that I wanted to start a subscription (I have to, because the shops selling magazines here in Norway only have BWoF), and now I'm quite decided on Threads!
ReplyDeleteWhat a timely post! I have been considering subscribing to VPM, because I have bought the last 2 issues at my local fabric chain store, and have been much more impressed than I thought I would be. It does include lots of ads for Vogue, but seeing those help me to decide which patterns I really like, since they are nice big photos of the garments. And, the technical articles are helpful to a relative beginner like me. Two thumbs up!
ReplyDeleteHi Gertie. Love your blog. I have been VPM subscriber since Fall 1979. Just the other day, I pulled out my collection and perused some of the styles, some of the articles and the memories of patterns purchased. It's amazing that I would buy the same patterns I bought back then. Splash out and get a subscription.
ReplyDeleteAngela
As a European subscriber to VPM and Club BMW I feel we are treated very unfairly. We aren't allowed to take advantage of any of the offers. They aren't available to those of us outside the US and I suppose Canada. If it's a question of the postage I don't understand the problem as - even though the postage and handling charges for your patterns are exhorbitant and not anywhere near the actual cost - we would be propared to pay in order to be able to take advantage of these offers!!It's the same with the fabric on Mondays for Club BMW members. Will I renew or just stay with 'Threads'? I haven't decided yet as I still hope VPM might do something about this issue as I think their articles on 'Techniques' etc. are worth reading.
ReplyDelete