Burda Challenge 2018

Despite my lack of blogging (again), I am still sewing - slowly - but certainly.

Every year, I say I am going to join the Burda challenge.  I keep my word on that.  Actually doing the challenge, though, is another story.  So far this year, I am almost 3 for 3.  Yay! 

January:  11-2008-104

To begin the challenge, I chose something I thought would be simple and easy to fit.  I pretty much know my Burda skirt size and the alternations I need to make.  

I cut a size 44 and added one inch in length to the back, tapering to nothing at the side.  I also shortened the skirt all over by some amount that I can't remember. 

So much meh.  The seam that joins the two flounces to the side its oddly uncomfortable on my leg and I don't like the length.  The skirt is sort of okay, but not enough for me to invest any more energy in finishing it.  I wish I had used the wool for something else.  Ah well.

February:  3-2012-121 (same as Burda 7107)

I cheated a little with this one.  Burda 7107 is the envelope equivalent of the magazine pattern, so I used that instead.  This pattern was on my radar for a long time, but moved up to NEXT when I saw Dressmaking Debacles' version. 

Yeah my ties are long.  The bottom half of the top is attached to the ties which wraps around the back.  The ties as drafted were too short for my taste...in chocolate.  Plus I cut the ties on the straight grain which means they don't have any stretch at all.  So I lengthened the ties by adding some scrap fabric.

I cut size 42 in the neckline and shoulder and size 44 everywhere else.  I didn't do an FBA, but I did add 1 inch to the front and back length. 

The fabric is wool merino from the stash.  It's the same fabric I used for another Burda top.  When I first bought both of these fabrics, I was underwhelmed.  Now I wish I had more!

I sewed all of the seams on my machine and then serged them together.  I used my coverstitch machine to finish the hems.  Nakisha is right, there is A LOT of hemming.

The pattern includes a back neck facing strip thing.  Uh...why?  I just folded the back over and coverstitched.  Done.

The pattern suggests setting the sleeves.  Nah.  I sewed mine in flat.   I don't know why it's so wrinkly; there aren't any puckers and I didn't stretch the armhole too much...I don't think.

I haven't worn it yet, but intend to soon.

March:  8-2007-117

This is another pattern that's been on my radar for a while.  I first noticed it when Trinicity sewed it way back in 2007.  I suppose at this rate, I'll be sewing patterns from 2018 in 2029.  Hah!

The pattern calls for stretch fabrics and I've grown to loathe stretch cotton poplin.  This stuff is the devil because it's almost impossible to sew seams without some puckers.  I dread setting in the sleeves.

I like how it looks so far, but I have a ways to go before it's finished.  I  need to attach the collar, sew the sleeve plackets, set the sleeves, and add buttonholes.  Hopefully it'll be done by the end of the month.

Peace!

L