Sharon Sews

I was hooked the moment I saw this dress in the Burda May 2010 issue. So simple. So trendy. So easy to sew. So flattering on so many, like here and here and the nine reviews at PatternReview . So not loving it. Yes, it was indeed very simple - and easy - to sew. After all there are only a five pattern pieces and that's if you count the facing for the neckline. But I think my aversion to tight fitting clothes worked against me this time as the lower portion of the dress is much too lose. The total effect on me is one big, wide shapeless box. You can't really tell I have a waist, unless I keep my hands on my hips... ...or up in the air. Which might look rather odd at the office don't you think? When I grab about five inches of fabric and pull it to the backside the look is closer to the what the design was meant to be. Perhaps if I removed the waistline elastic, removed the skirt, sewed it smaller, pegged the hem, resewed the skirt and added the elastic I'd wear it. ...

First off, Gaylen , just because you asked .... the skirt on a real, live person. As you can see, the released pleats are surprisingly flattering. And very comfortable. But I do think you need to choose your fabric carefully or they could flare out. By the way, I'm freezing in this shot as the short sleeves and no hose look is better suited for June than it is for February, even though temps did almost climb to 40 degrees today (whoo! hoo!) Carolyn , I'm actually thinking of sewing Sandra Betzina's jean style jacket - Vogue 1036 I'm not certain if it will work with the skirt or not, but who needs to be matchy-matchy all the time anyway? The fabric will look great in that jacket with white topstitching. Becky , I know exactly how you feel. I eagerly awaited the arrival of my subscription every time someone would review one of the patterns on their blog. Tracing the pattern YaYaOrchid - yes, the patterns from Burda World of Fashion need to be traced. I admit that is m...

Just because it looks like denim doesn't necessarily mean it is denim. After all, wouldn't you say this skirt looks like a denim skirt? Sure it does, but it's actually a lightweight wool - cool huh? The look of denim without the bulk. Enough about the fabric - let me tell you about the skirt pattern! It is skirt number 105 from the January '09 issue of Burda World of Fashion. Isn't it fabulous? I was drawn to the uniqueness of the design. The waist is shaped by large angled pleats, which are topstitched in place with the fullness released below the hipline. A decorative zipper, with the zipper tape partially showing, is secured in place topstitching. The back has the same two angled pleats with the topstitching. The stitched down pleats give the skirt a slight tulip shape. The double rows of topstitching hold the hem in place. The hem really is that deep! In the BWOF instructions the skirt is not lined. However, I added a lining because the wool skirt wou...