2 Burda Dresses & TTFN

Burda 5/07 - 123 Dress


This is one of the sleeper dresses from the May issue. It's a simple pattern for wovens, with gathering on the center front bust, side seam bust and along the side fronts, below the shoulders. I opted to use a buttermilk, which made it all so much easier and quicker.

The fit is fantastic, it looks stunning and it's very boob enhancing. At under 2 yds of fabric, I'll be making this pattern again and again for sweet little dresses.

Size: 44
Fabric: Buttermilk from Gorgeous Things
Mods: Added a small scootch on the side seams at the bust.

(Bodice details:)


Burda 4/07 - 127 Dress


I haven't worn anything so 'precious' since I was 9 or so, but, hey it's red and has 'loves', as my little guy calls them.

This is another summer dress than I almost overlooked. It's for sheer wovens, with a shoulder yoke, shaped dropped waistline, bias cut skirt and small ruffles along the neckline and yoke. I was going to describe the neckline as rather modest on this, but given I lived on a topless beach for a year, I may be a little skewed.

Size: 44
Fabric: Heart shaped red borderie from Gorgeous Things, lined with batiste (dyed red with Rit).
Mods: Lowered the bust dart and added a scootch on the side seam bust. I should have done a proper FBA, but I was in a rush. I also added vertical bust-waist darts after the dress was completed to nip in the front waist more.
Verdict: This is a very feminine summer dress and a lot of fun to wear. The ruffles can be omitted, but I found they're rather low-key on this fabric. I'm really enjoying wearing this, although it might be too bright for dear old London.


(Ruffle detail:)


TTFN

I'm off to London to visit my parents for two weeks, with a side trip to Paris, to eat crepes with Connor. Given the exchange rate, I'd have to be foolish to buy anything, but the sight seeing is more fun.

Have a lovely summer y'all.

Burda July '07 - 115 Pencil Skirt

Cute, huh? After so many experiments, it's relaxing to make something that I *know* will work on my body. This is a tapered (pencil) skirt, with pockets, panelled back and a surprise in the back.

I wouldn't usually wear a top tucked in, but I wanted to show how high the waist comes on this skirt.


Size: 46
Fabric: Pant-weight cotton/lycra twill from Fabric.com.
Mods:

1. Added 0.5" to length at the hem.
2. Used waistband instead of waist facing. I typically need to tighten up the waistline on clothes. I stretched out the waistband during stitching to pull the fabric waist in.
3. Made a turned up hem instead of fringing it as in the original.
4. The skirt has large pockets. These would bulge out because of my large belly, so I faked them. I cut a facing for the pocket opening, sewed and turned. Then I cut a modified pocket piece that didn't include the extra fabric needed for an actual pocket. I topstitched the faced opening onto the pocket itself:
   

The wrong side:


Finished pocket from the right side:


Surprise: This isn't shown online, but the back has three panels and the center panel is gathered at around the back of the knee. This has two effects: first, it accentuates the pencil silhouette; and, second, it cups the tushy. In fact, it makes my tush look a lot more wonderous than it is. I can't get a picture of it on me, and sorry for the wrinklies, but this is the back:


The Cons:

1. Because of the high waist, you need to fit the waist very well. I could have done better fitting for my sway back, but it gets hidden by my tops.
2. The side seams are to the front on this skirt, and I'm not sure if it's intentional or not. Given the pocket style, I think it's poor drafting. I've never had this problem on a size 46 before. So sew-er, beware.

I did finish this in July, which makes for two patterns from the issue in the current month. Yay for me.