Sunday, April 15, 2012

I'm Back and I'm Itching to Sew

I'm back from my month long business trip to the Philippines, and I am itching to sew. I left several UFOs on the ironing board when I left and I could pick up any one of them now, but I really want to start something new from scratch. So I pulled out the last few issues of Burda Style and I decided to get back into the sewing swing with this one, Dress #131 from the February plus section:

It's a simple little princess sheath with some interesting seaming. I love the way the front seams flare out to the sides. And check out that back. Once again, subtle, but I think that the design will be quite flattering.
I really don't understand why this dress didn't get any love on the blogs or boards when this issue came out. Could it be because you can't tell anything about it at all in the magazine photo:
You can't see any of the seams, which in my opinion is what makes the dress. Also, the color is drab and having the model posed like that on the bed not only obscures the dress, but makes it seem like it's supposed to be a nightgown or a house smock. You really have to see the tech drawing to get any sense of this one at all.
Burda also offered a coordinating jacket in the same issue, #129:
Once again, the design is subtle, with long darts in front and an inverted pleat in the back. I'll definitely need a muslin, if for nothing else than to get the sleeve length exactly right for my little T-rex arms and to make sure I'm happy with the slight flare to the sleeves. I may want to straighten them.
So that's my plan for my first official spring project. What are your spring/summer sewing plans? Are there any other patterns out there that you just love, but you don't think they've gotten the attention they deserve?

5 comments:

Stephanie said...

My favorites seem to be everyone's favorites. Oh well. Those both look neat. Do you have any tricks for tracing your Burda patterns. That's what really gets me every time I pull out my two Burda Style mags.

Mary said...

I'm intrigued by that dress as well. I think you're right about the seams and, I can't wait to see your finished version!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Oh thanks for pointing these two gems out! This is the only issue of Burda magazine that I've bought this year so I'm glad that I can also get these two gems out of it!

Mary Nanna said...

I was also attracted to that pattern and considered the coat pattern (basically the jacket but without the pleat at the back) - I think the bell sleeves are very attractive as is the interesting seaming on the dress.

The only concern I have is with my arms, which need some kind of covering - both to match our cooling weather but also to provide a more flattering silhouette on me.

good luck with them! I'm sure they'll look beautiful on them and you will make a lovely job of sewing them.

Rose said...

that dress looks lovely! I am looking forward to seeing your creation. thank you for highlighting this pattern.

Rose in SV