I’ve seen quite a few Burda patterns I’d like to try, but don’t really understand how they work. I believe all the sizes are in the same package. After you cut out your size, do you then have to go back and add seam allowances? Isn’t this a tremendous amount of work? Is there an easy way to add the same lines? Do these patterns turnout true to photo and style depiction? Are there European anomolies I have to watch out for? In short, are they worth the trouble? All my patterns require quite a few alterations and I understand the lack of seamlines might make this easier. I’d appreciate hearing any experiences, pro or con.
Thanks
Replies
I sew with Burda a lot. The fit is different than American; less boxy, more shape. The height of the armhole is based more on the style of the pattern being made; a jacket pattern does tend to have a higher armhole than an American pattern of a similar design, but some blouses and less tailored items are not significantly different than what you see in the US "Big Four" patterns. The pants, however, are different . The crotch curve is rounder and longer in the back and flatter in the front; many of us find that this shape fits our bodies better. If you've never made Burda pants before, buy a basic pant pattern and do a pair of shorts in inexpensive fabric. You'll see and feel the difference in the fit without spending a lot of time and money, and you'll have a wearable garment from the test.
Many of the current Burda patterns do have seam allowances added, in deference to American preferences. Look on the pattern envelope; if there is a big red and white star on front, seam and hem allowances have been added, and you would use it just as you would use a US multi-sized pattern. If there is no star on front, you will need to add seam and hem allowances.
I have used Burda patterns and I prefer the European cut because it tends to be more flattering to the less than perfect female figure. As far as alterations go, the more specific measurements in the Burda size charts help eliminate some of the guesswork in locating alteration points.
Burda does sell a double tracing wheel that you can use to mark the seamline and cutting lines simultaneously. This eliminates the need to add seamlines to your paper pattern and ensures sewing accuracy.
I especially love the Burda World of Fashion pattern magazine because it includes the patterns for at least thirty garments so you can get many styles for the price of one. That makes the extra trouble of tracing out patterns worthwhile.
http://www.burdaworld.com
I've been using the Burda patterns for years, and love them for fit and style. I have quite a collection of WOF magazines, and use them regularly. To add seam allowances, I have two double tracing wheels. One draws a chalk line directly onto your fabric, and the other has two parallel wheels, which I use when using carbon to trace from the magazine master sheet onto plain paper. I don't find it takes a lot of extra time, especially if I'm tracing the pattern anyway - no extra time at all! If you plan to use Burda much, I'd strongly recommend the double wheels - they are adjustable so you can add differing amounts for hems, side seams, etc.
Judy,
I also have quite a collection of WOF magazines...but can you believe I haven't even tried a pattern yet! I love looking at the pattern details and crafts but I have a serious case of stage fright and can't get started.
Perhaps if I had the source for the double tracing wheels that you mentioned I could get over my fear! I have plenty of plain pattern paper ready to go...any help you can give me to get started would be much appreciated...Thanks!
-lp
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