Last weekend I decided to clean up my sewing room. It’s always a great feeling, it clears my mind and I find patterns and fabric I’ve forgotten about. I found a Burdastyle magazine (issue 12/2016) and this ruffle mini skirt style #105 caught my eye. Perfect for the cool wintery weather here at the moment.
The ruffle is super cute especially in plaid. Lucky for me, I had some pink/black combo plaid in my stash and some hot pink lining (and pink hair) so I decided to give it a go. Most of the styles from Burdastyle magazine are very on trend and I buy the magazine quite regularly although I tend not to make anything because I know that tracing the pattern and following the instructions requires patience and concentration. As Veronique (@veroniquemartinparis) put it you need to “sprechen Sie Burda”. Too funny! However, I was in the right mood and I decided to give it a go.
I have a few little tricks up my sleeve when sewing anything from a Burdastyle magazine. Firstly, I measure myself and check my measurements against the chart supplied. Never assume! Normally in most patterns and ready to wear, I am a size 8UK or 4US. According to the Burdastyle magazine my measurements would put me as a size 12UK or 8US.
Then find your pattern number and check which sheet your pattern is on, what colour the lines are and what pattern pieces you require. The pattern piece numbers will be in bold so I go and find those first and then I trace around them with a bright marker or highlighter. Using baking paper, I then trace all of my pieces using a dark pencil and rulers to keep them accurate. I transfer all grain lines, style number, size and any details so that if I use the pattern again in the future it is all there. If you “sprechen Sie Burda” you will quickly figure out a few of the terms they use. None of the pattern pieces are named but the seams will be marked CB or CF so you will need to use this information to figure out which is the front or back. Same with the facings on this pattern. The CF and CB gives you a clue to which is the font and back.
This pattern is designed to use plaid so there is a line to match the plaid which is marked “check”. I lined up the “check” lines horizontally but made the rookie error of not lining up vertically. As there are two front pieces, I should have lined up the vertical lines on the CF line. The ruffle hides this mistake so I wasn’t too concerned. I also cut the front out back to front so my ruffle is the reverse to the magazine image. I realised as soon as I had cut it out but I didn’t want to waste fabric and went ahead anyway.
I started sewing up the pattern following the instructions but stumbled when I got to the lining. I gave up and just made it the way I know how which worked out perfectly anyway. I really don’t know how beginners make head or tail out of the instructions.
In the end, I’ve ended up with a really cute skirt and would like to try it again now I know what I’m doing! I’d recommend the pattern for more advanced sewers who know how to sew without instructions which is a pity because with the right instructions it would be a great project for the advanced beginner.
What do you think about Burdastyle Patterns? Do you make them or put them in the too hard basket?
