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!