Top! Burda 04-2005

 

I’m still in love with patterns with fabric twists and knots, so I decided to make this golden oldie (pattern of the year in 2005!) I'm very happy that I already made a similar item, as the instructions by Burda alone would have left me scratching my head.  The number markings on the pattern are very helpful, so if you find this magazine somewhere, be sure to transfer those. 

I love this top, it's a great summer look. The only thing is that the neckline is very deep, as in; “the little bow in the middle of your bra will peek out”-deep. Usually I avoid details at the bust like the knot because I really don't need volume enhancing looks at that point unless I decide I need a career change and start going by a name like Honey Diamond. However, this style actually looks nice, without giving me Jessica-Rabbit visions when I look in the mirror. What helps is that this top actually fits, thanks to a FBA out of “Fit for Real People”. Sometimes I dislike the time all those pattern adjustments take me, but it is so very much worth it. 

Cardigan! The last days of summer...

 

Review in words here

What happens without sewing?

Crazy woman on the streets

Today at 14.03 a woman was apprehended on highstreet, after disrupting proceedings in a fabric shop. The shop assistant describes it as: ‘One of the strangest things I’ve ever seen. She stormed into the shop, demanding to see her precious fabrics. Then she proceded to cuddle bolts of wool and linen, cooing to them and stroking them. She apologized as if they were alive, explaining that she made some bad decisions in the past such as having a job and a social life. Those kept her away from them, however, everything would be alright now. That’s when we called the police.”
After the police arrived, they had to drag the woman away from the fabric as she protested that she had not yet completed “another V1250” or “S2473”. While the meaning of these arcane numbers is yet unknown, this reporter is glad that the poor woman will get the help she needs at the city hospital. She's expected to return to complete mental health the moment she'll be able to sit behind a sewing machine and sew.

New Fabric

Work in Progress; So Many Choices!

Dress! Vogue 1250

 

It’s no surprise that so many seamstresses are making this dress! It's is very quick to sew, (one morning for me, including handseaming) and very flattering to boot! I’ve seen versions on hourglasses, rectangles, pearshapes, etc, and they all look great!

I’m of the firm opinion that if you need a Full Bust Adjustment (FBA) in wovens, you’ll need one in knits as well for a perfect fit.  In this dress you can do an FBA without creating additional darts. Here's how.

As the picture on the envelope shows, the dress is kind of wide around the waist. As I like a fitted waist, I took in the waist for a total of 6 cm, tapering to the original lines at hips and armholes. Those armholes are pretty low, so I followed the tips  the sewing lawyer explains here, and raised the armholes and deepened the cowl.

After all these adjustments, pattern and dress look something like this:


Click to enlarge



The seaming on the dress is very interesting; no side seams on the skirt, only one center-back seam, and no seams on the front between bodice and skirt part. That makes this dress very suitable for big or weird prints, like this one that has big strokes and squigles in oilpaint all over.

This dress gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Despite the simple design, it looks gorgeous on many different people and it’s easy to put together. No wonder so many people have made this pattern already. This pattern might become a wardrobe staple for me. Shortened, it will make a great top, and if you add sleeves, it will work for autumn as well.  You won’t regret trying this pattern.

How to; FBA for Vogue 1250