Burda Style magazine 10/2011

Every month I check this magazine to see which of the 30-odd patterns on offer might be of use to me. Sometimes there's nothing, or maybe just one or two. They once had a Grande Dame range, which I was very excited about until I realised it was all plus-size clothing. Sigh. The thing I enjoy about Burda is they make their own trends, they don't follow. This can be a good and bad thing.

In the issue currently available (in Australia anyway) there are HEAPS of patterns and designs I LOVE.



The patterns are all available within the magazine, but they need to be traced. They're printed all over each other, and it's just not possible to cut them out.

Messy.

Here are the designs I plan on making in the near future.

Fantastic wrap dress, very versatile and easy to adjust the sleeve/skirt length

(They suggest styling it with leather jeggings. I do not.)

Beautiful dress with sheer panel. This is about the only way I can wear a high neckline without my bosom looking like it's being smothered by fabric. I think I'll leave the neck tie/scarf off.


Kind of pussy-bow blouse. I'm not 100% sure about this one. It has seams which run from the shoulders to the lower hem, and it looks great on the model but rather shapeless in the design picture. If I can make it fitted I'll be happy. I love the fabric it's made in here.


Timeless coat. Begging to made with a fur collar.


Then there are all the crafty bits and pieces up the back. This issue feature mushrooms, which I rather like.



The idea of a giant mushroom in my house never occurred to me, but now I really want one.


And there's a preview of the next edition.

I really hope that long black dress is in my size!

Molly post # 68536

I took some garden shots the other morning. Then Little Miss Princess got in the way. Darn it.


I'm usually lucky if I can get one photo of her actually looking at the camera. She totally knows what I'm doing.

Floral top

I've made a lot of dresses lately. I love making them, and wearing them. But I think I've made so many I forgot about all the other things I can make too.

So naturally, when I decided to make a top, I used a dress pattern.


I've had this pattern for years. Possibly one of the first I ever owned. I know the first time I made this (as a dress!) I was still living at home, so I've had it for at least 10 years. I made it in purple velour. It actually looked ok, as far as I recall, but I don't think I ever wore it. As you can see, at one time I considered making this as a top, but I never got around to it.

Anyway. This time I wanted to make a top. I ended up making it as a dress first, because I wanted to see how it looked and if it actually suited me. I think it does suit me, but this fabric is just way too overwhelming for the design. It should really be made in a plainer fabric.


Also, it's supposed to be made in a stretch knit. But it has a zip in the back. Isn't that the point of a stretch knit? Not needing a zip? The fabric I used here is rayon (or cotton rayon blend... I bought it a while ago), which means zero stretch.

It definitely looks better as a top.


The only adjustment I made (apart from turning it into a top) was to extend the bust section. I find most tops and dresses with a separate bust section are not big enough to cover everything, leaving the lower seam sitting somewhere across my bust, as opposed to underneath it. I added about 2 inches to the lower edge of this one which was almost too much. An inch and a half would have been enough.


The sleeves are huge. They really boof out when on a real person (that's a technical sewing term, by the way, "boof out," meaning puffy). If I make it again I'll definitely be toning them down.

I just love this fabric. More tops and hopefully other separates coming soon!

Favourite op-shop buys

Since I bought my green coat the other day, I've been thinking about all the great items I've found in op-shops over the years. I prefer the term 'op-shop' as opposed to 'vintage shop' etc. Because let's face it, a lot of 'vintage' shops are just other people's pre-loved items.

So here are a few of my favourite things...

Weird chunky necklace. Bought at a market... somewhere. Basically a stone cast in a lump of metal.


I think this necklace also came from some markets, but I've had it a while now so I'm really not sure. I just like the leaves and dragonfly pendants.


Black shawl from Chapel St Bazaar.


Mustard suede and faux fur coat from Retrostar Vintage


Bunny fur coat from Queen Vic Markets


My old favourite Pinky. Bought 9 years ago in a shop in Newtown, Sydney. It had arrived in the shop just hours before me. We were meant to be.


Amazing 1940s coat from Chapel Street Bazaar. Slight rip to the velveteen on the collar. The buttons were held in place with safety pins when I bought it and I've left them that way. Fits like a dream. (colour is slightly off in the photos - close up of buttons is most accurate. It's a real emerald green.)


Floral t-shirt style dress from Carlisle Street Bazaar.




I'm not sure where I got this one but it's a Sportsgirl dress. It's silk and extremely delicate. As it's now slightly damaged, I doubt I'll ever wear it. In public, anyway.



Sniff.

Amazing tie-dyed dress from Fat Helens on Chapel St.

Waist-tie detail

Ankle boots, also from Retrostar.


And finally my pride and joy...

...1970s velveteen house coat. Bought at either Chapel St Bazaar or Shag.

That's what was written on the tag when I bought it. I adore this thing. It's big enough to wrap right around me. It flows beautifully on the floor and I simply love swanning around the house in it. It's comfortable and soft. The colours are almost hideous. When I wrap it tightly around my waist I like to think I look like a 50s starlet with a tiny waspy waist.