bwof

I really loved the look of Burda 07-2010-120 dress, thinking it would be a great way to showcase this silk chiffon print from The Carol Collection without too much horror in handling silk chiffon-the skirt is just rectangles and the bodice inset is small enough to control. However, the instructions are all kind of nonsense, starting with the fabric (linen jersey...

Fabric, $20, Burda Magazine subscription, $80. Finishing a September pattern in August with fabric purchased on August 28th? Priceless. I tried to post the patternreview last night, but the 3 month long Wardrobe Contest was ending, and it was just taking too long. Plus, I have to admit. .. I have dialup, and it doesn't deal well sometimes. There. I said...

I’m DONE! Whew.  The jacket is actually pretty straighforward construction. For this, I cut a size 40 and made a 1/2 inch FBA. I added a center back seam to make my swayback adjustment. The inside is finished with bias tape which I had to do when my serger died mid construction. But, it’s a [...]...

I’m DONE! Whew.  The jacket is actually pretty straighforward construction. For this, I cut a size 40 and made a 1/2 inch FBA. I added a center back seam to make my swayback adjustment. The inside is finished with bias tape which I had to do when my serger died mid construction. But, it’s a [...]...

Pattern Description: Gigantic blossoms, skin tight! Elastic gabardine guarantees absolute comfort for this figure-hugging bustier dress. Boning is worked into the bodice seams for optimum fit and shape. In plain English, that means "plain two piece pattern bustier dress, version A has straight front and is knee length, version B has notched front and is full length. Boned front and back...

I'm such a sucker for a red dress... This is BWOF 02/2009-124 again, this time made from a lipstick red ponte knit from Fabric Mart. I wear this version all the time, but the wide stripes make it feel a bit casual, so I decided I wanted a dressier one for church and other occasions. And in case you don't have...

You Gotta Have Friends It’s not often I am completely thrown by Burda directions. But, I couldn’t understand the placket directions for the life of me. Luckily, I was able to call DVMCindy in California. For some crazy wonderful reason, she had written all of the notes and directions out for this pattern and walked [...]...

You Gotta Have Friends It’s not often I am completely thrown by Burda directions. But, I couldn’t understand the placket directions for the life of me. Luckily, I was able to call DVMCindy in California. For some crazy wonderful reason, she had written all of the notes and directions out for this pattern and walked [...]...

Blouse: BWOF 03-07-129 This is another TNT blouse. A year ago, I didn't have any pattern I considered a TNT. Now I have at least three. I had another opportunity to use Kenneth King's curved seam technique. I love this technique. I also used the collar technique demonstrated on the Threads Insider Techniques DVD. I love that technique, too. Since I've...

I don't often get a chance to pick up this magazine (and I'm not accustomed to the name change from Australian Stitches-and WHAT is it about magazines changing names-it will always be BWOF to me). The only place I have found it in the metroplex is the big Joann store in Dallas. In the past I have ordered some issues from...

Things are moving along steadily now with the pinstriped skirt. I've gotten past the boring straight sewing and am now into the mindless embellishment process. I'm using the technique from BWOF's July issue. Remember that fluffy pink skirt I was in love with? It looked like ruffles or flowers or something embellishing the hem. Well, turns out it's nothing of the...

Here I am in the latest silk creation, Burda Tunic 02-2009110 and Burda skirt 03-2010-105. Side zipper and re-beading to complete design Both fabrics were bought at B&J Fabrics in NYC. The black is silk chiffon with three types of beads: black round and rectangular, and silver rectangular. The tunic is in a super lush silk charmeuse. I made it a...

Burda 4/2010 #102 is a very cute blouse, if you pick the right fabric. I did not pick the right fabric, a solid would be best. this is what I chose from fabric.com only in red and white. Not a good choice, looked like an old house dress my grandmother would have worn! So it is gone, out-of-sight and onto the...

I'm so glad I used red for this outfit. The color keeps the outfit from being too matronly. I used a nice breathable cotton for the blouse and linen for the skirt. It will be perfect for summer Sundays in church. The Blouse: BWOF 04-06-126 I've made this blouse twice in three weeks and there isn't much more to say about...

what the hell's up with Burda? For the last 2 months, I've had an item traced, sewn and worn from the issue before the month actually started. Now here we are, 8 days into August, and no magazine in sight. According to what someone posted on PR on Friday, it hasn't even left freaking Germany yet. Maybe they should send it...

After much unnecessary agonizing, I decided to make the BWOF top rather than the Kwik Sew top. Connie said it best. The Kwik Sew top "yells scrub nurse" and that wasn't the look I was going for. : ) This outfit should be the end of my casual summer sewing. It's time to get back to sewing my work wardrobe. Top...

The hardest thing for me to do is choose the right fabric for a pattern. After sewing for over 30 years, the mistake I still make most often is to use fabric that is absolutely wrong for a pattern. I love prints and I love BurdaStyle design details. But, the prints I love usually obscure the design details of the Burda...

Another version of one my favorite tops, this time with dropped shoulders, pleated sleeves and contrast details: Silk tunic BWOF 02-2009-110 This charmeuse print was bought at B&J Fabrics while in NYC, which is also where I bought the metallic tweed for the jacket. The contrast is cut from a vintage piece I had in my stash; black silk chiffon and...

I sewed something!! I know, I'm as shocked as you are! On Sunday when I wore my knit dress I had a minor epiphany. I've been avoiding sewing, partly because I'm tired and the pregnancy is kicking my butt, but also because I don't want to sew what I have ready to sew. Both of my current "In Progress" projects are...

And it doesn't fit. .. Set it free. I made this dress from BWOF 3/08 #115. It's Liberty. It's fully underlined in cotton batiste. It had 12 freaking darts in it. I love it. It's fitted, unforgiving, and has no stretch. I wore it once, to my friend's wedding last spring. Even with uber-Spanx, it was uncomfortable. Deepika brought me a...

This innocent looking fabric was like the Mogwai from the movie "Gremlins". It very quickly multiplied into several garments, none of which were exactly what I wanted or expected. It all started when I needed a top to go with shorts I'd bought last summer. I was lucky enough to find matching fabric at JoMar. It was incredibly cheap inexpensive (...

Right after I posted last week about my silk jersey score from G Street Fabrics I visited AllisonC's blog to see her fantastic self-made border version of Burda 06-2010-123 (you have to scroll through to the pink dress). Not only did I love the dress, but it was the perfect pattern for my find. The motif is 36 inches long, which...

but I bought some anyway. Which really wasn't necessary because my Very Special Houseguest will be here soon and there will be some retail therapy occurring this very weekend. But I couldn't wait. I walked down to Karlin's on 8th Street at lunchtime with Andrea, and we both indulged a bit. I indulged a bit more, but I'm beginning to think...

Long, long ago I was totally defeated by BWOF 04-06-126 and what I came to call the Freakin' Collar. ( Click here for the back story ) I made a vow to conquer that collar with its poorly written instructions and I kept trying. Finally, I can say the Freakin' Collar has been laid to rest. I can sew it and...

A few months ago, I attempted my first strapless dress, as a theatrical costume for a friend. It wasn't my favorite project, for reasons of its own, but I enjoyed the challenge of constructing it since I'd never used boning before or attempted to make something that stood up on its own. But once it was done and handed over, other...

This jacket has made many people's "must sew" list, including mine... I bought this fabric in NYC, it's a metallic tweed. Hard to work with mainly because the pressing is so sensitive. I made a few (well, many) mistakes, but they're all avoidable if you keep your head on straight. The right pressing cloth, very little heat and of course, pressing...

I’m borrowing a camera. I don’t want to harp, but I’m sorry about the low quality of the photos. I’ve taken to photographing facing my screen door for sunlight. But, it’s pretty overcast. We have 98 percent humidity and thunderstorms. Blech. I thought between humidity and the low 90s it was a good day to [...]...

I’m borrowing a camera. I don’t want to harp, but I’m sorry about the low quality of the photos. I’ve taken to photographing facing my screen door for sunlight. But, it’s pretty overcast. We have 98 percent humidity and thunderstorms. Blech. I thought between humidity and the low 90s it was a good day to [...]...

This contest starts on Patternreview on July 15th and runs through August 14th. It's one of my favorites, and a contest I would absolutely enter if I could (Contest Committee members can't enter contests, for obvious reasons, although I did get special dispensation for the Menswear Contest last year). This contest always starts a lot of discussion on the boards about...

So, after two muslins, it looks like I waited too long for the vintage Simplicity dress. Sigh. There is no way to maintain the sleek style lines of the skirt with this baby belly!! I won't inflict pictures of the muslin on you, but needless to say, there way no way it was going to zip up in the back... Mitch...