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Sewspiration

Beth Ann

Veteran

I've been perusing the Burda (http://burdastyle.com/) website tonight, pinning away! Of course, I still haven't set aside a block of time to sew, so, for now, it's just inspiration. Still, even non-sewers might enjoy checking it out, since you find different silhouettes and outfits than you do in ready-made clothing.

Loved these two, among others.

1. This baseball jacket has a lovely, open neckline and is shown in cotton batiste for Summer wear. How cool is that?

2. This dress has expert seaming --- ruching and seaming at the bodice, darts at the back waist and darts at the -- yep -- elbows. In a sturdy jersey, this would follow the body so much better than many of the knit sheaths I've tried.

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15 replies

Latest reply was from Carole

Gaylene

Veteran

I also love browsing the Burda website but I've never downloaded a pattern from there. I've used the commercial Burda patterns and traced patterns from the Burda magazines, but have always wondered about how easy it was to use a downloaded pattern. Any thoughts, Beth Ann?

Beth Ann

Veteran

I haven't downloaded a pattern yet, Gaylene. Methinks there must be a fair amount of cutting and pasting together! Perhaps I should give the task to my Lego obsessed DS? I do think it makes patterns more affordable

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, it couldn't be any worse than the patterns that accompanied the Burda Style magazines. You could sew every style that was in the issue, in multiple sizes, as long as you could figure out the pattern pieces.

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ManidipaM

Veteran

Good gorgeousness! That dress!

@Gaylene:--- o.0

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Beth Ann :: I have recently come across a beautiful brochure advertising a selection of Burda patterns, I'll see if I can find it. I was so tempted to actually make something, but I have no working surface that can accommodate the sewing machine for now

Gaylene :: LOL. I have actually learnt to sew and take patterns from these very huge sheets. I loved pattern drawing more than sewing. Thanks for the trip down the memory lane.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Just a liitle bit of taping, not hard at all. May be time-consuming the first time around, but once you develop a rhythm, it's easy sailing.
That dress is gorgeous!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Found it, here we go. Photo #8 for a lot of inspiration along the line of that peacock skirt you made a while ago

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Jjsloane

Veteran

Great inspirations. Makes me wish I could sew clothing. I'd whip out that baseball jacket in a fun liberty or conversational print!

Sarah A

Veteran

Great selections.... My sister has done the downloads and says they aren't hard to piece and tape together. The dress would be so fantastic on you! I love the open neckline of the baseball jacket Thanks for the finds!

Ornella, I enjoyed your visuals too! thanks for snapping them and posting! Swooining over that black and white spread and the summer dresses

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I've been eyeing that dress for while now. AI can't decide if the gathering around the bust would be flattering for me in particular, but it is a lovely design!

pil

Veteran

That dress is gorgeous, Beth Ann. The patterns? Dizzying!

Betti

Thanks for the inspiration! I recently brought out my sewing machine from storage with big plans for making some nice clothes. How are Burda patterns to work from? Better/same/worse than the other major companies?

amiable

Veteran

I've done these patterns too - it's a lot of paper, but if you cut off two sides of every sheet, the lining up and taping can overlap on the other two sides, and it goes quite quickly.

Betti, their sizing is a LOT better than the big-4 sizing. But their instructions are abysmal.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Excellent! So I'm not alone if I decide to venture out into downoaded patterns!

Betti: I did make one once --- "back in the day," and found that the instructions were quite incomplete. My high school friend suggested that maybe Europeans were more intuitive (she despaired over being a simple Midwestern American -- where's the romance in that?), but I persevered! I think I will start with an item likely to have construction elements that are already familiar to me at first. My skills are still in need of refreshing!

Alexandra and Ami, thanks for sharing your experiences.
Gaylene: Yep. The pattern I made looked like that. I was like a puzzle, and I don't like puzzles!
Ornella: Great visual! Thanks for sharing. I should see if they have a mailing list for these mags.
Jeanne and Sarah: You'd both rock the jacket, and a Liberty of London print would be amazing!
Jenny: I know what you mean about the ruching. Would it flatter the chest, or make it look, um, prominent. I think the right weight of fabric would be key.
Pil and Mandipa: Glad you liked the purdy dress, too!

Carole

Veteran

I admired your ambition, and what a fantastic skill to have! I limit myself to pillows and curtains. But can see how advantageous it would be to be able to whip up whatever your closet and heart desires.