Burda Magazines from Wayback

This pattern stash contest has made a monster out of me. Look what I found? These had been given to me by a neighbor who had lived in Germany back in the early 90's. It's a stack of Burda mags from 90-91. Once you get past the huge shoulders, there's actually a few cute patterns in them.
I just read a great article in Threads (forgot which issue) about how to alter the sleeve area on an old pattern with the big ole sleeves. Very basic idea: Find a sleeve you like on another pattern.

1. Transfer the sleeve cap of the pattern you like to just the sleeve cap area of the big old sleeve pattern.

2. Transfer the armhole of the pattern you like to the armhole area of the big old pattern.

3. Gradually grade your lines to meet the rest of the sleeve/bodice. Sounds easy.

Navy Striped Bateau Collar: Burda 02-2009-108

Bateau neck top from Burda 02-2009-108. This has been reviewed 34 times on patternreview.com. Who doesn't love a boat neck, and I saw so many cute ones out there, so thought I'd try it (and look tres-nautical) with this lovely navy stripe cotton/lycra.

Here's the model photo. (Jeesh... what an unnaturally thin model. Those kind of shots may sell patterns as we imagine ourselves looking like this with our finished product ... only to be disappointed. That's what I like about patternreview.com ... you see garments on REAL people)

I made my neckline an inch narrower and the overall length a couple inches shorter (that's all the fabric I had ... and my favorite hobby is seeing what I can squeeze out of a piece of fabric) I'd really prefer the top to be 4 inches longer than it is.

I need to get a photo of myself in the top because I need to ask for some help with fit issue under the arms (excess fabric in front of the sleeve). Other than that (and in spite of that), I like the top.

18 Ways to wear a little black dress (Burda 09-2008-132)

Dress it up or dress it down. When you start with an uber-comfortable slim black knit dress, there are oodles of options on ways to wear it... here's just a few ideas to get you started...

1. Unadorned. A blank blackboard to begin the design process (and a wonderful way to wear a black dress)


(This dress was sewn from a (shortened and slimmed) view of Pattern 09-2008-132 from the Burda Magazine ... you'll find a review of this pattern for patternreview.com at the end of this post)


2. An evening out at the theatre


3. A trip to the library


4. A day at the beach


5. A day of sightseeing ... (with a black cami underneath)


6. ...or out shopping ... (with a white cami underneath)


7. Comfy on a chilly day, with a slouchy cardigan


8. To the baseball game in a red hoodie


9. Or cozy and casual in a white hoodie


10. Under a tied denim work shirt


11. or belted


12. The skirt is slim and comfy enough to play the role of slip under a sarong


13. ...or under a high-waist skirt with ruching


14.The top is smooth and seamless under a cross-front top in matching fabric


15. ...or under a asymetrical top


16. ... or under a bolero top


17. wrapped in a gorgeous pink scarf


18. Cinched with a colorful cummerbund


Review for patternreview.com

Pattern Description: Evening dress (shortened and narrowed version)... Here's the Burda magazine photo of the dress.

Pattern Sizing:36 ... 44. I cut out a 40 to match my measurements and had to take it in about two inches at the waist. (It's sized for a woven and I used a knit, so that would account for some of that).

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except for my alterations (see below)... (This dress is comfy enough to use as a nightgown. I was tempted to include a view under a bathrobe...)


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, although I didn't like the way they said to use elastic to gather the shoulder area. By the time you put elastic on both the fashion fabric and lining, that's a lot of lumpage. I eliminated it, wanting a simpler, smoother look anyway.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the dress. Nothing to dislike. I didn't make the pleated waistband, altho it is pretty. I wanted a smooth, simple LBD (smooth enough for being the UNDER-layer to some outfits).

Fabric Used:Cotton Poly Knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
1. Shortened it

2. Reduced the width. It is more aline than I expected and I was looking for a slim straight skirt. I made it slimmer.

3. The back is designed to be as gathered as the front (it is the same pattern piece). I eliminated the gathers in back. I like the look better.

4. I eliminated the pleat on the shoulder. I wanted a simpler, smoother look.

5. The neckline was a shade too low for my everyday use, so I crossed the two front pieces slightly. It works well this way, covers a bra totally, doesn't gap or gape, and also looks nice with a white or black cami under it.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and yes.

Conclusion: I love the pattern and love the dress. It has become my A#1 most versatile garment ever. Highly recommended!