#burdastyle

wrap skirt

pattern: Burdastyle 6340

fabric: denim

I finished my dirndl!!! 5 weeks late!!!

I’m very pleased with the way it looks. There’s a lot I’d change about it, though. The construction process made things a little bulky to shove through my sewing machine.

I’d make the sleeves first (while they are still flat), then insert them. The lining needs to be sewn to the neck and sleeve edges before attaching the skirt. The zipper needs to be inserted before the lining is sewn down, so the lining can be used to make a clean finish on the inside. And there aren’t any instructions for finishing the lining.

There is only one pocket. While I appreciate not having to try to get a pocket installed in the same seam as an invisible zipper, it’s a little odd.

The pleating tape for the apron just needs to be different tape period. The gathers need to be closer together.

Having the sleeves integrated into the dress means I can’t lift my arms very high, thereby impeding my ability to do the chicken dance.

BurdaStyle Magazine, August 2023

This issue has a range of transitional clothing and some successful and not so successful novelty pieces. Dress 124 in blue and white stripes, which you see here, takes the maritime look and makes it more playful by setting the stripes in various directions while keeping and envelope neckline. A good choice, if you have some striped jersey and want to have fun with a nice casual dress.

As you can see in the pale peach Top 119, the draped cowlneck here does not succeed because the knit fabric is too stiff. They also show this in a much drapier knit as Dress 118, see the sketches, but the results are sloppy looking. The cut of a draped cowlneck takes some care and can be very graceful when done right. I put that top on par with the Sleeveless Trench Coat 126, see the sketches, which is silly because the point of trench coats with their double-breasted front is to keep you safe from the elements. Taking off the sleeves is like cutting a hole in your rain boots. Not the best idea.

But we do have success with the Designer Pattern dress 129 with princess seams, ruffles, and sheer gathered sleeves by the brand Thisiskachi. For the romantic type, this would make a lovely dress for a special occasion or an evening event.

A far simpler make is Long Blouse 109 which they did in a blue and white toile print. If you look at the sketches, this is a simple collared, button-front blouse elongated, but the print makes it quietly dramatic. It shows you how a print can do most of the work. It has knit cuffs for some reason, but you can put on matching cuffs if you like. Of course, you could easily shorten this pattern too.

The cover has Skirt 102 which has deep pleats and pockets which comes in a shorter version as well. If you look at the sketches, you will also see several dresses, some cut close to the body and others more full in the skirt. All come in a wide range of sizes, and all are included in the master pattern sheets which you must copy from. Instructions are limited to words, but the Long Blouse and Jacket 114 come with full sewing lessons.

Todays progress: From layout to beginning manufacture. I like to lay out the rough shape (left) so I can troubleshoot the design elements before sewing. First time using interfacing, it is amazing.

Still to do: Lining, zip, ribbon lacing, lace panel for skirt.