Replies

1. 
   solosmocker | Mar 17, 2006 01:29am | #1

   I took a mental health break today and went and sat at the pattern table in the local Joanns. I went thru every book. Those looks are definitely in the patterns books. I think McCalls may have had the most but check them all out. That look has arrived. Oh, these were all brand new books that I did not see last week, so perhaps you just need to see newer patern books.

1. 
   queenoid | Mar 17, 2006 11:44pm | #4

   Great ideas. I have been busy with my startup website (shameless commercial to follow if you insist) and I haven't been able to have a really good, long wallow at the fabric store. More of a dash in and out, and that is not the way to find the good stuff. I hope to wallow soon. Thank you for the excellent inspiration. Any online fabric resources you particularly like? There are so many that it is hard to know where to start.

1. 
   queenoid | Mar 18, 2006 04:51am | #5

   So I took a mental health break (DH has been home w/o a job for 18 mos. . .need I say more?) today and went looking for the Burda magazine - I've bought it before. I live in a cow town (Denver) (no offense to cows)! I went to everyplace I could think of and no Burda magazine! I subscribed today (and to Marie Claire Idees, what the heck!) but they won't come for a while. I tried searching the Internet for a newsstand that would send me one copy, but no luck. I may ask my friends who live in actual cities to buy the mag and send it to me until my subscription kicks in. Question - what is the difference between Burda World of Fashion and Burda Moden?

   Honestly, I have "make it" obsession! I want to make skirts! I want to felt! I want to feel excellent fibers beneath my hands and make something of them!  It must be Spring fever.

1. 
   woodruff | Mar 18, 2006 08:10am | #6

   I believe the only difference between the magazines is that Burda Moden is written in German (the mother ship), and WOF is the English version.

2. 
   LindaG | Mar 18, 2006 04:41pm | #7

   Borders in downtown Boston carries Burda WOF so it's somewhere on their computer system.  Could they "import" an issue from another city more quickly than your subscription will start? 

1. 
   tzipi | Mar 18, 2006 08:08pm | #8

   Two comments: First , although I buy Burda magazines, I'm not thrilled with their fit. More I like Modellino from Italy which has VERY stylish patterns and seem to fit my daughter and me excellently. If I had enough time, I would sew almost every item shown in each issue. The only problem- as I've mentioned on this site before- is that all of the instructions are in Italian, French and Spanish. But my French sewing terminology is getting really good from reading these magazines.

    

   Second comment: I've been looking at the web site of the anthropologie.com  stores and they have gorgeous skirts that I would love to copy. Alot of them are flared, or with multiple godets. Any suggestions from anyone? These skirts sell for a lot of money, but I'm sure we could sew them.

2. 
   Julie B | Mar 23, 2006 01:33pm | #11

   One great way to have the designs you crave is to draft them yourself. I use pattern drafting software and can start with a basic draft (one that fits -- drafted to my measurements) then edit in the CAD program to my liking. Once you get the hang of it it is very easy to knock off designs if you've got a visual to work from (or not if your brain works that way). I use Wild Ginger's products.Julie B
   No Va

3. 
   tzipi | Mar 23, 2006 04:37pm | #12

   Thanks Julie.

    

     I used to make my own patterns but I've gotten lazy. How does the software work? Do you buy the program from Wild Ginger and then plug in your measurements or what.? I apreciate your help.

4. 
   Julie B | Mar 23, 2006 05:57pm | #13

   That's exactly how the software works. You take a set of measurements and plug them in then make your design choices (type of neckline, dart, sleeve, hem, etc. as appropriate). Then you print the patterns out on 8.5" x 11" paper and tape them together. There's a learing curve certainly but the software does work great and the garments fit great. If you are interested you can download a trial program at Wild Ginger's website. The basic design program is Boutique. There are also programs for men, children, lingerie/knits, formal wear, maternity/baby.Julie B
   No Va

5. 
   Jean | Mar 26, 2006 12:13am | #14

   Be honest now.  How many of us would look good in this skirt?I don't think that even the model does, frankly.

   View Image

6. 
   FitnessNut | Mar 26, 2006 04:10am | #15

   I'm with you. Its not even remotely flattering, IMO.

3. 
   autumn | Mar 20, 2006 10:25pm | #9

   Excuse me! Denver is a very cosmopolitan city now, although it used to be a "Cow Town" MANY years ago.

1. 
   queenoid | Mar 21, 2006 02:57am | #10

   Well, somewhat cosmopolitan, but when something like not being able to find Burda Magazine, I resort to Cow Town insults. I plead having been thwarted with Fiber Desire! How can I be appropriately kind to a city that has thwarted my Fiber Desire?On another note, I DID find Burda World of Fashion at the Tattered Cover in Cherry Creek, which is the absolute best bookstore I have ever been in, anywhere. Including non cow towns like NYC, Boston, Phila, Dallas, Houston. If you are ever in Denver, you absolutely must go there.

   Edited 3/20/2006 7:59 pm ET by queenoid

2. 
   LindaG | Mar 17, 2006 04:53am | #2

   Hi,

   Since you are a confident sewer, I'd suggest looking at Burda World of Fashion magazine.  The skirts in there are really adventurous.  This month, there is one with no waistband and a curved inset, one with with no waistband and two curved insets, and a third with an angled yoke and a swirly flowing angeld skirt.  The December, January and February issues have all sorts of swirly, pleated, tiered and ruffled items to try.

   The patterns need to be traced and the instructions are a lot less detailed than a typical packaged pattern, but the price can't be beat....about 20 different garment patterns for less than $10 an issue.  I'm having  lot of fun with it.

   Linda G

    

3. 
   SewNancy | Mar 17, 2006 04:01pm | #3

   Burda and Neue Mode both have skirts that you are looking for. Vogue has a new Oscar de La Renta skirt and jacket that has just the perfect skirt. Yoke top, below waist and loose, open pleats below in front and back. Perfect
   Nancy