Replies

1. 
   NovaSkills | Dec 07, 2006 05:35pm | #1

   I've never tried them. Where'd you get the magazine? What's it like? I can offer you nearly instant translation from Spanish if you need it, via a close friend. I certainly live where it's heard everyday!

   In my Burda patterns, there is a table of translation for common sewing terms, including Spanish. Maybe that would tell you what you needed.

1. 
   jatman | Dec 07, 2006 05:56pm | #2

   Patrones is a magazine like Burda Moden that gives you the patterns that they feature every month in the magazine.  I got mine in Spain and it's widely sold throughout Europe but I don't think it's extremely popular in the US.  (I don't know if there is a distributor for it in the US).  It's really nice - they have patterns from designers and brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Benetton, Mango, Mexx, etc. 

   http://www.patrones.ru/

   This is the Russian site but they have more of the magazine online than any other that I've found.  If you click on the 1 - 2 - 3 you'll get pictures of what is inside.

   My Spanish is enough to get me by, I'm just curious as to whether or not I'm just too much of a beginner to try to sew anything from this publication. 

   JT

1. 
   WandaJ | Jan 06, 2007 06:31am | #11

   Thanks for sharing the web address for this magazine. I just loved the suit in the lower left corner of page 1, and the jackets on the left side of pages 2 and 3 were really nice.

   Let us know how you come along with the patterns, in a language for which you are not familiar.

1. 
   jatman | Jan 06, 2007 11:30am | #12

   Hi WandaJ!  Looks like Patrones has now posted January's edition.  Those items are really nice!  I did ok on the blouse from Patrones.  I had some trouble with the neckline and had to cut additional material to add to the pattern pieces to make it work but it turned out ok.  I don't think I'd tackle one of the more complicated items without having translated all of the verbiage first but for a more advanced sewer (sewist?) I don't think it would be a problem.  I'm getting lots of experience sewing things without benefit of directions since most of what I have access to is not in English so maybe I'll work up to something more advanced.  Anyway, thank you for asking and here is my blouse:

    

   
1. 
   Josefly | Jan 06, 2007 11:06pm | #13

   Just want to jump in and say how pretty your blouse is. You did a nice job, especially on the neck band, and the cuffs are lovely too.

2. 
   jatman | Jan 07, 2007 01:09am | #14

   Thank you very much! 

   JT

3. 
   stitchintime | Jan 07, 2007 11:58am | #15

   Good work. Looks nice with the obi sash!

4. 
   jatman | Jan 07, 2007 12:04pm | #16

   Thank you!  I made it specifically to go with that!

   JT

5. 
   WandaJ | Jan 07, 2007 10:33pm | #17

   Thanks for sharing. It appears as if you did quite well without benefit of written instructions.

6. 
   jatman | Jan 07, 2007 10:41pm | #18

   Thank you!  Always nice to have encouragement!

   JT

2. 
   jatman | Dec 08, 2006 10:33am | #3

   Hi NovaSkills - can I ask you about your Burda Magazines?  Where is the translation in it?  Are the instructions in English or just the magazine (glossy) part?  Do you live in the US?  And if so, where do you get Burda?  I live in Sweden and the Burda Magazine that I have access to is in English (the magazine part) but the instructions are in Swedish (which is at times a problem for me, but like my Spanish - I can get by).  I'm just curious because I've never seen anything in mine that looks like any sort of translation.

   And thank you for the offer of Spanish translation help.  I may take you up on that before it's all over!

   JT

1. 
   NovaSkills | Dec 10, 2006 07:49pm | #6

   So, you're in Sweden! Wow, someplace I'd like to visit. What took you over there?

   I meant that there is a translation table on the actual pattern tissue. I know that I can get Burda magazines here, somewhere. If you wanted some forwarded to you, tell me exactly what you want and address and such in a message sent only through email option. I bet there's something cool you could send from Sweden, in return.

    

1. 
   jatman | Dec 10, 2006 07:59pm | #7

   You're too good to me!  I really appreciate that!  I actually can get Burda here, it's just that the instructions are in Swedish.  For me, that's actually a good thing because it helps me learn more Swedish.  The news stands here have just about every magazine you could imagine...except Patrones!  If I want that one I have to get it in The Nederlands, Spain, Belgium or Germany (and possibly a few other places) or online.  They don't have a distributor in Sweden.   If you do think of something you'd like from here, I would be happy to do an exchange for something like peanut butter!  It's funny the things you miss and the odd things that they don't have!  I never thought that I'd consider Taco Bell a delicacy!

   My husband took a temporary transfer from the US to here.  We'll be here now until fall of 2008. 

   JT

    

1. 
   NovaSkills | Dec 10, 2006 08:05pm | #8

   I could send PB. A British friend who spent time here has a standing order for Duncan Hines Double Fudge brownie mix any time some American gets her way. I also had a cousin stationed in Frankfurt, who used to demand CARE packages of family, so I know what you mean. Some things are just NOT the same!

   I tried to get a transfer overseas when I worked for Bechtel, Inc., years ago, but it never happened. What's the fabric selection like there?

   JPH@NSI

2. 
   jatman | Dec 10, 2006 08:18pm | #9

   There are a couple of fabric stores that I like to buy things from.  One always has a lot of remnants in a bin and you pay by the kilo.  They usually have a lot of denim - big pieces, too!  The other one has just beautiful and spectacular fabrics.  Lots of silks - dupioni, chiffon, brocade, matka - just incredible fabrics.  We also have a notions store that sells everything under the sun.  It's been around for 100 years and in their current location for at least 60.  The glass countertops are so scratched you can't see through them anymore!  I've never gone in there for anything that they didn't have what I needed or something that was even better.  Unfortunately here there is a 25% sales tax on everything so there isn't much that is bargain priced but what can you do?  Extra incentive to make things and not buy them!

   We are actually really fortunate in that we have something called The English Store which stocks up things like Duncan Hines and Mountain Dew.  Also one of the large grocery stores has a lot of American stuff like macaroni and cheese.  I've found for the most part that anything I miss I can either find here or I've replaced it with something that I'll miss when I get back home.  It's been an incredible experience to be here and I've become a big advocate of overseas assignments.  It really opens your horizons.

   Now if they'd only open a Taco Bell or a Wendy's....

   JT

    

3. 
   NovaSkills | Dec 11, 2006 06:00am | #10

   I'm jealous. You have MUCH better fabric stores than we do here in South Florida. When I lived in San Francisco, I could go to Britex and visit 4 floors of fabric, etc. And that was just the beginning. Here, it's JoAnn's or Rag Shop, except for an occasional independent quilt store.

   I see those yummy silk fabrics in Threads articles and just start salivating.

   I'll never complain about our sales tax again, though, after hearing about yours!

2. 
   Becky-book | Dec 08, 2006 05:19pm | #4

   For computer aided translation, try BabelFish.com Just type in the phrase you need translated.  It is not always capable of translating subtle nuances but the basics are there.

   Hope this helps,

   Becky

1. 
   jatman | Dec 08, 2006 05:26pm | #5

   Basics are good enough!  Thank you!

   JT