I am a MASSIVE Burda fangirl #burda4life
I was raised on Burda, tracing patterns for my mother. Cousine Claire, the spinster seamstress of the family, Cousine Viviane, Tante Gisèle (who turned me onto Vogue patterns too!), Chantale, my mother's choir friend, so many women sewed Burda around me!
I love them the sharp styles. Burda told me overalls/jumpsuits/dungarees were back at least a couple of years ago. I should have listened!
I love them for the constancy: what you see is what you get. I go by my actual body measurements and, other than my standard alterations (Petite, Narrow Shoulders, size down waist), they fit.
I did a small survey back in 2009 that I had posted on Pattern Review at the time. Compared 4-5 Burda size charts from 1980 to 2009. Only two measurements had changed in that time span and by 0,5 cm only!
Now the downsides.
Like most EU pattern magazines, you have to trace them. I am used to figuring them out, I don't even pre-trace on the pattern sheet but I understand how others may not feel up to this chore.
If Burda says close-fitting, it is a tight dress! If they say loose, it's a muumuu. And they love plunging necklines.
The instructions are minimal and somethings poorly worded. Two nights ago, I helped someone on PR figure out the facing instructions on a backless top. They really need to improve this, IMO. To me, it feels as though the translator is not done by a sewing-savvy professional. It's more a sewing order than anything, though Style Arc does it better.
Obviously, I am in favor of Burda
and do recommend them often.
Do note that the regular sizes 34-44 have a distinct block from the Plus 44-52. So those 44s are not equal! I've read some criticism of the Plus size designs on PR but that's not my range so I don't really know if that's a fair judgement.
On the DE and FR sites, at least, you can buy the envelope patterns as downloads. I really wish they would do this for the US site (which accepts my credit card!). Rarely, they will issue the same design as an envelope after it had appeared in the magazine.
I personally have never found a Burda where the pattern pieces did not match up in size at the seam. In fact, I was flabbergasted to learn that Big4/US patterns had this happen. How???
One last thing. They shortened the size chart back in Fall 2015? so to get the full set of measurements, it's best to download a chart online. I really love this about EU pattern magazines in general. Now that I am better at fitting, I really cannot be satisfied with the meager 3 measurements of Big4 and most Indies.
ETA that the main difference btw size ranges Petite, Regular and Tall is length throughout the pattern. At least in two places for bodice, bottom and sleeve!
Also, the usual size range is 36-42 for 1,68m and 44-52 for Plus but the Junior/Easy patterns can be start at 32 or 34.
Apologies for the crimes against Shakespeare. I have excuses: bad cold, difficult morning.