Friday 19 July 2013

mag review......

So what do you think of the new look homespun???
It's been out for a few months now....
it's a nice fresh look and a bit of a change around is great.............
love that they have the month/year clearly on the mag........
BUT
i'm not liking the paper pages..............I do love the glossy mag look that they had..........
But if I have to choose between mags and only buy one this one gets the flick......
It would have to have a very good project in it that I wanted to do........
So am I fussy??? Is it just me??? 
Do you like the old glossy pages or the new look......

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

I get mine online so my pages "look" glossy but smaller then the actual mag :)

Bev C said...

Hello Donna,

I didn't like that there is different size of print all over the magazine.

Have a lovely weekend.
Bev.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Nah not fussy...I like the older version better and I loved the quotes in it as well. This one to me looks like it's trying to get in a younger audience...shame as I feel like I have grown with it. I don't think I ill be re-subscribing to it.

Kris Meares - Tag Along Teddies said...

Hey Donna! Hmmm ... still making up my mind, but can't say I'm overly excited by the changes. Some smaller ones are OK, but overall, I feel like the 'mood' and quality of the mag has changed. I miss Catherine's lovely editorials and that 'personal' feel there used to be with the tip, quips and random facts. Maybe I'll get used to it ... maybe I'll keep an eye out for a new fave mag! :0) Bear Hugs! KRIS

Anthea said...

Hi Chooky, I mentioned this a few months ago when the first 'new look' was published...
I am not a fan of it at all & now that I have not liked any of them, I am going to be cancelling the remainder of the issues of my subscription. It's a big magazine for the small number of projects. It also feels like there is a lot more advertising, which I know is necessary but makes me feel like I ma playing 'spot the project'... what a whinger I am!!

Nemo said...

It certainly reminds me of other magazines now, with the new look, feel and contents. But I do miss the old layout and contents, more projects and interviews - and the editor's note.

Michelle said...

Hi Chooky, I agree with Anthea and I haven't bought the last one, I just don't like the new look. Trying too hard to be like the other new mags on the shelf. And I miss the quotes also!!
Michelle.

pamkennison said...

Not a fan either, have it digitally sent, so far dont like any project in it, why do people think they have to change things that dont need changing, agree with all the comments above, they are aiming at a younger audience. So much for us "old" hands xx

Cardygirl said...

I have let my subscription go too. It does not appear to be the quality mag it was. I am also over pages devoted to "road trips" every mag...how many times do we have to do that. It is a waste of pages to repeat it continually, just give me fabulous projects and great writing and I will be happy.

Susan said...

I like glossy pages too. But to be honest I don't read any of them regularly anymore, except when I get them at the library. Very repetitious, and just not as cutting edge as all my bloggy friends! I see more things I desperately want to make on blogs than in mags.

Leanne said...

I like the new look I am surprised by the above comments.

Fiona said...

I'm still getting used to the new look....and will keep my subscription going... see how it goes over the next few months...
Hugz

Cheryll said...

I stopped getting mags as I was running out of storage space in the cubbyhole... but was thinking of getting Homespun digitally~ but may re-think it now!
Have appreciated everyone's comments,

creations.1 said...

No you are not fussy - I used to get several magazines but ran out of room, projects were being repeated, and I rarely went back to them after reading them. I only get one now - Handmade - which I have been getting since the very beginning - I can always find something to make out of each issue! Plus 2 of my friends get different ones so we share!

Meredith said...

Very disappointed in the "new look". Lot of wasted space, much harder to read, seems to be trying to be like Mollie Makes or some other newer ones. Noticed they got rid of all their feature writers (one left I think) which was one of the best things about the old style, as there was so much to read also, and interesting too. I will not renew when my subscription runs out (and I have subscribed since first issue) and am only continuing because I want all parts of the Christmas BOM by Bronwyn Hayes.

Anonymous said...

Hi Chooky i think i am the odd one out,i love the new look its like the Mollie makes mag that is out,i think they have copied that mag.
I like the way it is set out and is the only mag that i subscribe too at the moment,i dont get the other mags very often now,lol,i am running out of space.xx

Yvonne W said...

I initially did not like the new look---but have got used to it with time. My problem is that I do not like any form of change whatsoever--so I have to get used to the change and only then I see the positives. I still think that Homespun is one of the better magazines around.

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

I like the pages and the look but just wish they would have more content like the previous version. I think they need to add more sole from their older version back into the mag. hugs

Cath said...

I don't mind it but I feel there aren't as many projects in it. It is the only aussie mag I buy....don't like any of the others.

Unknown said...

I also am disappointed with the new look, the font and paper don't really bother me, though thickness of the paper makes it harder to rip accidently. The title pages just seem like such a waste of a whole page for the title and a paragraph. I am also like Cardygirl a bit sick of the shopping tours. I also really miss the little stories that led into the projects. I always presumed that it was a patchworking magazine, if I want to knit or crochet I will get a book just for that.

Having said that I do like the profiles for the designers. I know that they have to sell adds but there does seem to be more adds than information. I am going to get one more and then decide if I will keep collecting them.

Just read through my comment and came to the decision that I am becoming a whinger in my old age LOL!!

One for a wish.. said...

I don't mind the new look, updates it's feel! The mag I feel that has really gone down hill is APandQ. Letting my subscription go after 12 years.

Kate said...

I havent bought Homespun in ages! I realised I was never actually making anything out of it so it wasnt worth it. Must take a peek to see what it looks like.

Helen said...

Hi Chooky,

I'm another one thats not happy with the mag, I will not be renewing my subscription,the projects don't seem so good now either.... for a much younger audience and I agree if I want knitting or crocheting then I will buy a mag that suits.

Yes I'm a whinger too apparently lol

Helen

Christine M said...

I agree with your Chooky. I am so disappointed with Homespun. It was my favourite magazine and the only one left I was subscribing to. You now have to go to about page 34 (this month around page 44) for the first project. The have cut out the Homespun Curiosity. No longer is there a story before a project. There is now a small info box about the maker in the tiniest of fonts. I love a glossy mag. To me this version seems like they are going back to the olden days! I've decided I won't be renewing my subscription when it comes up. I'm glad to hear it's not just me that feels like this! Well, that's my little whinge!

Christine M said...

Just to add something more. I wrote to the Editor about my disappointment. Apparently the majority of people love the new look although they have had a few who don't like the change. Maybe if everyone writes to them, they may go back to how the magazine was! Just a thought!

Cubby House Crafts said...

I have to say I'm loving the new look Homespun and quite surprised so many don't like it! I was even a bit disappointed my latest design just missed out being in the new look Homespun hehe! Very similar look to Mollie Makes magazine and being a crochet lover I like how they include some hooky projects in it:)
Lisa

Sandi said...

I am not a fan of the new look mag...the pages being glossy or not doesn't worry me but the projects do seem to be targeted for a much younger reader...I have been so disappointed with it and will not be renewing my subscription.

Susan said...

Firstly, I think everyone who doesn't like it should write to Homespun and tell them. refer them back to this blog post so they get a feel for what is happening out here in the real world. Sure they are after a younger market - but are there that many of the target audience who are into patchwork? I don't think a magazine devoted to patchwork will appeal unless they already have an interest. I quite like the look and feel. I don't like the fact that they have dropped the stories and the little curios. And yes there is more advertising and less projects. thats not a good thing either. I still get Homespun because I have a subscription - and they had had good bonuses with their subscriptions - but like everyone else - you just run out of room so I may not renew.
And one thing that has always P'd me off is that even though I have a subscription - my magazine arrives a week after it's in the shops. (just had to vent about that).

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi there...this is to Susan above...I did tell Homespun what I thought through Facebook and kept checking back but to my knowledge there was no response!

Sue SA said...

I gave up subscribing to magazines a few years ago, because I wasnt making any of the projects or inspired by the contents. I do buy a USA magazine now and then if the local newsagent has it in and I see a project I like in it. I agree with Susan, I am more inspired by whats going on in blog land. I have brought one issue of Homespun, just recently actually and dont mind the new look or the lack of glossy pages. Just no longer interested in the "other" crafts as much.

suzitee said...

I only buy Mollie Makes these days, but flick through Homespun at the library every now and then. I don't mind the new format/look, but have more projects bookmarked online than I care to mention, so can't justify the $$$ or the space for a magazine ;)

Needle 'n Thread with SuziQ said...

Interesting thoughts posted . . . I have subscribed to Homespun for many years and I must admit the new image was somewhat different, I prefer the glossy feel of the pages. As consumers, we can tell them what articles we miss - just give it a go and if they receive enough feedback they may do something about it. The last issue I decided to check out on-line via Zinio - I could see the content before I downloaded. I had access to the patterns immediately. I am a huge fan of e-magazines - give it a go next issue, check out the contents first. Many companies are cost cutting and this is just another example.

Nicky said...

Well what a can of worms you've opened here...lol
I'm not overly impressed, seems like they're trying for more style and less substance, and I'm not sure that it works.

Noela said...

I'm not keen on the new look either. Can't seem to get into it at all. Not sure I will renew now as it seems to have lost something in the change over. Hugs......

DAWNIE said...

It is such a long time over a year since I have purchased a homespun, however, I did weaken when I saw the new set up of the Homespun a few months ago. I like that it has some knitting in it too, however, I think I have to say I like the glossy version also.

Raewyn said...

The one thing I liked about the new look was that they seem to have changed the articles they write eg if a quilt/project had a ladybird on it there would be an article about insect control - or something that related very remotely to it.. it used to drive me batty. I buy craft magazines to read about craft not other stuff! So I like that aspect, although we have only received one of the new ones here in NZ so time will tell. I also resent receiving my subscription magazine a good deal later than the shops. Very interesting to see what everyone has to say.

Joy McD said...

Interesting... gone from the country for a few months and look what they do - go and change things... lol! I was never really a homespun fan to be honest.. they never seem to have many patterns that I like... xxx

Susie said...

So glad to hear this Chooky. Thought I was the only one. I had only been reading positive reviews. I had the paper also. Especially as my hands are quite dry. I have to put hand cream on to read it. To be completely honest, I am only buying it because of the red brolly BOM.

Kate said...

Hate the new Homespun so I have stopped buying it. To many adds and not enough projects to interest me anymore. If I wanted to knit or crochet I would buy a magazine devoted to that particular craft. Homespun was th first patchwork, quilting, stitching magazine I every purchased way bay in 2008.

suz said...

I usually find at least one great project in this magazine. My drawback was the cost plus shipping here in the U.S. Then we lost our distributor, so I'm really glad I can get this on-line. It's priced great and I only need to print what I want.

Vicki said...

I still have my subscription and will continue it till the Bronwyn Hayes BOM runs out. After that, probably it will go like all the others. I don't like the huge amount of advertising, am over road trips as well and yes, I miss the little stories. Not much to read, too much advertising and not enough projects. Definitely a Mollie Makes wanna be

Farmyard Stitches said...

I LOVE the newlook Homespun! I hadn't bought it for ages and then was gifted a year long subscription. I am really enjoying the different projects and the paper pages!!