Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Finished: BSM 03/2011 #139 & #140

I've always been of fan of wearing knits, but I've never been a fan of sewing them.  I don't like the way some knits refuse to be still and lay flat for pinning and cutting.   Currently, I'm working on clothes to wear for PR Weekend.  Since we are not staying in a conventional hotel, access to irons and ironing boards will be limited – a perfect reason for packing knits.  So, this outfit served two purposes:  having travel-friendly clothes for PR Weekend and getting over my knit-phobia.



Top:  Burda Style Magazine 03/2011 #139
Over the past several months, I've noticed the plus size collections in Burda Style Magazine have moved away from "a collection of coordinating pieces" toward "variations on a theme".  (I can't speak for regular size patterns.)  As Big 4 patterns have done for decades, BSM now shows design details that can be mixed and matched on a basic design to make up a number of garments.  I took advantage of this feature to make my top.  I used the neckband and sleeve pockets on  #139 and the body of #137.
By the way, I'm not entirely happy that BSM is getting more like the Big 4.


Pants:  Burda Style Magazine 03/2011 #140
I used to complain loudly and often about the lack of diagrams in BSM instructions.  Sometimes careful study of the technical drawings helped, but in this case, the drawings for #140 were misleading.  The  cargo pocket has a pleat in the front and on the bottom.  The back of the pocket has no pleat and is edgestitched directly to the pants.  This is not what is shown in the technical drawing. I knew this by looking at the pattern piece, which doesn't have an allowance for a pleat on the back.  I got a bit confused trying to reconcile the technical drawing with the sewing instructions.

I have another knit top in the queue.  If the knit is too wiggly and disobedient, I'll use Nancy K's suggestion and try cutting it in a single layer.  I'm tired of not sewing knits and I'm determined to learn to love them.

7 comments:

  1. I do love that top and the print (love pink).

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  2. Your outfit looks great! Hope you have a good time at the PR weekend.

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  3. I think this outfit turned out great! Knits can be great additions to your wardrobe and sewing skills. Just like anything else, they do take practice and it looks like you're diving it and figuring it out.

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  4. Fantastic oufit. I agree with Summerset, knits just take some practice and then you will be a pro. I think you already are a pro with that great top. Have fun at PR weekend.

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  5. This is a perfectly lovely top on you! I hope BS doesn't stray to far away from their roots, but I do like the variations on a theme. That allows me to fit once and use a pattern multiple times. But I absolutely agree with you. There's no point in paying extra for Burda if they are going to be the same as the Big4

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  6. Well this knit looks great! Love the fabric.

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  7. Lee,

    Love the print, the color and the fit looks perfect.

    Ernestine

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