Friday, April 25, 2008

Burda World of Fashion...

...Here I Come!

I'm about to make my first foray into the Burda World of Fashion. It's not a death-defying leap from a rocky cliff into crashing seas below, but rather a toe-dipping, ease your way in kind of entry.

I'll be making pattern 139 from the April, 2008 issue, the ruffled pants being worn by the little girl in the middle. Cute, aren't they? As my model lives a little over 2100 miles away, I'm going to have to rely on measuring the pattern pieces in order to make sure I've selected the correct size. Depending on how the pants turn out, I may make the tunic as well. (Unfortunately, the cute tunic is hidden under her sweater. Unless you happen to have the magazine, you'll have to trust me that it's very sweet.)

I'll be making the pants out of a white linen blend; her mother says she doesn't mind ironing and, since I don't mind ironing either, I believe her. I'll have to purchase something for the tunic if I decide to make it, too.

Wish me luck, I'm going to trace the pattern tonight!

13 comments:

Dawn said...

Go Paula, go Paula, go, go, go Paula! Once you start, you can't stop. Just be sure that after you trace but before you move anything compare it to that pattern pieces picture in the magazine. Several times I've had to go back, find the pieces, hang everything up, align everything, etc. just because I missed some crucial notch. Oops.

Sherril said...

You'll love BWOF! I think the next one should be for you. Those ruffles make the simple pattern special.

Paula Gardner said...

I have the pattern traced, but I'm waiting for a couple of measurements from my daughter before I cut fabric. I'm not sure about Burda. It's not an issue for these pants (there are only 2 pattern pieces, after all) but the instructions are a bit sketchy, to say the least. It could be an issue for me, being spatially challenged and all.

Dawn, I can't tell you how impressed I am that you started off with something with and actual adult pattern. You are brave; I am not.

Sherril said...

Paula, you need to get a good reference book on garment construction. I don't know the name of one off the top of my head, but look on PR at the reviews. You might find a favorable one there. Also, you can take a stashed pattern that is similar and use those directions.

Paula Gardner said...

That's a good idea; I'll check out PR later today.

Marita said...

Paula, have no fear with BWOF.

The patternsizes are usually pretty consistent and accurate.

This ( Complete book of sewing; publ. Dorling Kindersley, London my book is copyrighted in 1996 and it's still readily awailable) sewing book is exellent techniques-wise, it covers almost everything one can think.

Also I have to recommend the Singer sewing library books.

.....and you have all of us to help you, don't hesitate to ask:-)

I've been sewing with BWOF since the early -70's and they are so good.

Meg said...

I am going to be the only BWOF virgin left?!! I think so.

Bunny said...

Oo, this will be cute! I'm a BWOFV too, Lindsay. Can BWOF be found at Barnes and Noble or Borders? I hate to subscribe without trying it first. I have sewing friends who make the cutest dogone things for their children from BWOF.

Dawn said...

Bunny, some bookstores carry it. Neither Borders nor Barnes and Noble carry it up here in Alaska.

Paula -- I am so excited for you. Where's the update? Still awaiting measurements? And basically, I've decided that the instructions confuse me more than help me. I read through them and then do it my way. So far, things have turned out okay. I also do mock-ups of different techniques to try them out before I touch "real" fabric. I have learned a lot with Burda's (lack of) instructions. Makes me think about things more.

Paula Gardner said...

Dawn, you are obviously not spatially challenged. I just got the measurements I was waitng for a few minutes ago. I am still swamped with work, though, so I probably will not get any sewing in today.

Bunny, I get my BWOFs at Barnes and Noble for the time being (Until such time as I can convince my darling tightwad, er, I mean, husband, that an $80 subscription really is a good deal.

Bunny said...

Thanks Dawn and Paula. I will check out B&N next time I am in MA & NH. As far as spatially challenged, I'm good in that department. I am memory challenge instead!

Paula Gardner said...

Thank God my memory hasn't gone yet; my DH has lost enough memory for 10 people. We would be in tough shape if mine were to go too! LOL!

When Ladies Dressed said...

I've not sewn a Burda yet so I'll be following your project closely! Yay! You go!