Burda Magazines and questions answered.

I thought I would start with answering the questions about my relationship with Burda patterns.

My wonderful mother used to make all her childrens clothes as was common at this time.  Money was tight so she often remade garments from handme downs and cast offs - at this time this was not chic and fashionable but rather a necessary part of survival!  When there was money available she would purchase fabric and reach for a Burda magazine and sew us beautiful dresses, trousers, shirts and tops.  My sisters and I spent hours pouring over the magazines, often handed on by our grandmother, dreaming of the outfits that might be created for us.  I fondly remember a bright red corduroy jacket and electric blue and red plaid bell bottoms with cuffs.  I was fortunate enough to have a pair of red patent lace ups given to me to wear with this outfit!  I thought I was the bees knees wearing this getup!  It was a sad day when the outfit  had to be passed down to the next sister.  I do not have any photos of this but here are two wonderful dresses that my mother made, I am wearing them to show off at Calf day.

Fast forward to the 1980's and I am sewing with Burda myself.  I still have a few of these magazines but they are very much of that time with big shoulder pads and dropped shoulders - I am not sure that they are really much use for anything but interest.

At this time Burda produced a variety of pattern magazines, Miss B had fashion for the young woman and was often very fashion forward - this was a fav from this time.  Sewing made Easy was also another favourite as each pattern was illustrated with step by step photos.  My sewing skills were greatly improved by these magazines and I still have a large number of them.

At present I have a large collection of Burda and as previously mentioned was gifted most issues from 2000 to 2010.  This is a great timewaster as I often spend time pouring through the magazines to find that perfect shirt or blouse, shades of my childhood!  I also have a large collection of Burda Plus magazines and have made numerous garments from these.  In addition I also have paper patterns which I have purchased when the thought of tracing the design was going to hinder the creative urge.

I have often thought that I needed to be more organised and file each magazines black outline section in a folder to make searching the right pattern easier but then...no that would destroy some of the process for me. 

Here is the latest tagging for this sewalong!!

Burda Sewalong in May

After completing a reasonably sucessful Winter (our summer) 6pac from Stitcher's Guild here.  I have joined the Burda Sewalong which is hosted by Kat and kaitui_kiwi.  These wonderful bloggers are kiwi's like me, although they live in the coolest city in New Zealand - Wellington.  I love to visit as my oldest daughter is finishing an architecture degree at Victoria Uni.  The hubby and I spend weekends there visiting the bookshops (Unity is a fav), eateries, Slowboat Records and the amazing Global Fabrics. One of the wonderful things about Wellington is the exciting creative scene and I now have an invitation to join Kat and kaitui_kiwi when I next visit.  Whoo hoo looking forward to talking to other sewing people face to face.

Check out the sewalong pinterest board. to check out all the exciting ideas and garments.  The bloglist of participants is here.

I was fortunate to be gifted with 10 years of Burda magazines from 2000 - 2010.  I have sewn a few garments from Burda and know what I need to do to make them fit well.  I shorten the bodice, back and sleeve, widen the sleeve to accomodate my bigger than German biceps.  Usually I make a size 48 for tops and dresses.  I tried Burda trousers without success but I might give them another go after this sewalong.  My first item to make in this sewalong is garments from January 2013 Burda Plus section.

I have not been a fan of recent Burda Style patterns - the garments often have a naive quality that make them look like something that was homemade but in a bad way IMHO.  This might suit some people but I just look like a backwoods Nancy in them.  I was very happy to see the selection in the plus section was more fitting and stylish.  I love the draped coat which is first on my list to make.

Rain at last...

We finally have rain and the grass can begin to grow again.  It has been a long hot drought and even our cows are glad to see the rain, running around like mad things in the rain. We are hoping that we will have some more warm weather before the frosts begin so the grass will put on some good growth.  We spent the morning out in the paddocks mushrooming, enjoying the rain and picking beautiful field mushrooms which seem to love a drought. Once home and dry, I peeled and fried these beauties for mushrooms on toast for lunch.

I have spent the rest of the day looking at sewing rooms on the net - I have a mess from sorting out the stash and notions.  The plan is to consolidate to one area (3 rooms at present) which will make everything easier to locate and use when I sew.  A favourite was Karen's Sewing Room from her blog Sew Many Ways. 

I love the way she has repurposed things to make such a wonderful room.  Unfortunately I do not have the space available but I got lots of good ideas from her posts about her room.  I have lots of handme down furniture which I now will set to and paint.  

At the same time I am destashing, as it has got out of hand.  I have found that it has become easier to get more fabric than search through all the bins if I want to sew.  I have put aside some pieces to offer as giveaways in the month of May -  so watch this space for some vintage, some famous (TV series) and just plain fabulous fabric.

Just a hint of what I have listed for sale.

New Beginnings...

Welcome back to me!  I cannot believe that it has been so long since my last post. 

In the last few months the entire North Island has been declared a drought zone, the drought has devasted the rural area that I live in.

What was once beautiful lush green hills and valleys has turned into a brown wasteland.  Farmers around here have struggled to feed the cows but have finally had rain in the past week.  Funnily enough Guy has been working in the Australian Desert at the same time and they have had so much rain (over 100mm) that the whole project had to be shut down for time and the drilling staff helocopted out.  

At the same time we have been busy reroofing the house and completing painting the house.  The hot and sunny weather has been perfect for this and we now have a beautiful weatherproof house.  It can rain as long as it likes now!!

I am more than ready to get back into the sewing room and I have a new baby to help me.  After a lot of comparison shopping I finally purchased a Bernina 780.

  
Bella,as she is called, is a dream to sew on.  I am working on learning how to use this amazing machine and have been going to classes at the wonderful Bernina Sewing Centre at Tauranga. Watch this space as I learn how to use Bella to create.  

A completed plan!

Here we are on the South East Coast, Victoria, Australia.

Miracles will never cease... I have for the first time ever completed a plan.  A notorious joiner I struggle to complete plans, and as such I have a strict policy of cut out and make up.  If not for this policy I would have many unfinished items (UFO's) or as Elizabeth from Stitchers Guild calls them - kits.  I am like a magpie collecting this idea and that, my mind full of creative possiblities but moving from this to completion can be a drag to my creative brain!!!

I have often declared my interest in the SWAP on Stitcher's Guild and have made elaborate boards complete with patterns, fabric and inspirations.  But that is the fun part; knuckling down to see the plan to the end has been a problem.  So I moved onto the 6pac and I have finally completed one - and before the time.  Not only completed but worn continuously, first as a travel wardrobe and now back at home over our hot summer. I cannot downplay the sense of accomplishment I feel - dancing around the room!!! 

The Details

Originally the intention was to create a complete wardrobe but time constraints meant that I decided to use the bottoms I had and add some T-shirts and dresses. For the T-shirts I used Style Arc Ann, this is an old favourite (a TNT) that I can now whip up in about an hour.  This pattern fits and flatters my figure well.  

I then made up Style Arc Cruise Club Kim in a beautiful cotton lycra knit print from Designer Textiles Otara, Auckland (this shop has the best selection of knits in New Zealand).  The first muslin I made did not go so well - the extra I added  produced a sack like garment and problems were encountered with the sleeve and neck holes.  I took out the extra and finished the neck and sleeve as it a T-shirt neck with much more satisfying results.  I tried to follow Style Arc instructions but all it produces is a misshappened loose edge - does anyone else have this problem?

Careful planning of the pattern gives the illusion of a waist!!!.

The final dress is Simplicity 2938

I have made this up previously and knew it fit well.  The material I used is one of the first pieces of fabric I bought when I left home - it is over 30 years old!!
I have carted it with me looking for the perfect pattern in which to make it up.  It is a heavy viscose linen and is cool to wear and feels smooth against the skin.   
I had limited yardage and had to piece the bottom of the skirt edge - luckily the placement of flowers was ok as there was only one way to layout.

A little break...

Image from http://www.palmprints.co.nz/gallery/Symmetrees/tui-in-pohutukawa-2/203414

Back to blogging after a longer than anticipated break.  I am now trying to catch up with everyone's blog entries as well as update mine.  A very busy season this year, I hope everyone had lots of time with their families and relaxed, recharged ready for 2013!

I have been busy sewing a dress for a wedding and a travel wardrobe for our trip to Australia. 

First up was the dress from a fabric featured at the beginning of the year

This beautiful rayon became Vogue 8486

Pattern Sizing.

I made up a size 20 with no alterations – I need to rewrite this!! I needed no alterations.

Did it look like the pattern photo /drawing envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes, yes, yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes, followed most of them but changed the facings.

What do you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I love the pleats and the way the dress falls about my body – it is a very cool dress on a hot summer day.

Fabric used?

Although this pattern calls for the use of a stretch fabric I used rayon with little stretch and it is a perfect fit.  The fabric like most rayon is very slippery and drapey which works well with the pattern style.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made?

On the sample pattern I added extra to the seams as insurance, which was not required.

Would you sew it again or recommend it to others?

Yes, I would like to try this again as a top and can see me making the long sleeve version for winter in a merino knit for the classroom.

Conclusion.

Laying out the pattern on the fabric was a challenge as the skirt is pegged – I worked hard to match the stripes and they mostly work.  I love the star effect of the bodice and am very proud of the placket at the back as the stripes match across the centre back seam.  I loved the final dress and felt like a million dollars wearing it.

I made a silk chiffon overtop from McCalls 6210 using some fabric from the auction which worked great. I also finally used the overlocker to make a rolled hem on the overtop. Too easy and I am don't know why I took so long to try using this stitch!!!

Sew Arc - Fangirl

At last I can post what I have been sewing recently.  DH has returned from the desert and is off collecting cars from Wellington with a mate.  As he is away working for long periods when he returns we (children and I) devote a few days catching him up with all the happenings in our world.

I have been working on a few Style Arc patterns - notably the Ann T-shirt.  I love the fit of this T and have eliminated the rouching. This has become my favourite T-shirt and I have a few more cut and ready to sew.  


I made this in a Size 20 with few alterations except for lengthening the back to match the front.  The fabric came from a lovely shop in Mt Albert from a shopping expedition with the lovely Chris (SIL).  It is a cotton lycra and feels smooth and is very cool to wear. 

I then moved onto this Simplicity pattern which I have had on the wish list for a while following my cowl-neck sewathon.  Cruising through the stash I found a brown check/plaid, which I am unsure of both content and origin, that would look perfect for View A. 

I made a Size 20 with some additional width at the bust downwards.  It was a simple and quick sew up but I had difficulty with matching stripes at side seams, I am hoping that it really is not noticeable. 

View C is now in my sights with a beautiful cotton from the wonderful Global Fabrics.  Both tops are part of my travel 6 PAC for our Christmas Trip to Australia.

Finally I made something for DH's babies, to keep them dust free and protected. The photographer and himself spent an afternoon measuring all the babies and I was presented with this...

and made a pattern which became this...

He needs a few more for the rest of the babies so I will be busy making covers for a little while longer.