[UPDATE 11/8/2012] – Congratulations to BurdaStyle member Lillyella for winning this giveaway!
Comment on our blog for your chance to win a copy of New Dress a Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from Thrift-Store Don’ts by Marisa Lynch.
Based on her wildly popular blog of the same name, guerrilla seamstress Marisa Lynch shows you how to easily (and affordably!) transform your wardrobe from frumpy to fabulous! With just a snip here and a stitch there, your basement bargains will rival anything in designer collections. Yes, with a little imagination—and DIY tools like needles, thread, and safety pins—you too can update an outdated castoff. Inside you’ll discover how to:
• ace the sewing basics (remember: safety first!)
• create DIY designer look-alikes
• cut Flashdance-inspired sweatshirts
• make an old, tired muumuu a smashing must-have
• give bridesmaid dresses a second life
• dye your way to a vibrant new wardrobe
• whip up accessories in seconds
• style the same dress seven different ways
Complete with colorful before-and-after photos, fun sidebars, and even a groovy sewing song playlist to get you in the zone, New Dress a Day proves that you don’t need a sewing machine or a big budget to turn unfashionable trash into stylish treasure.
Click here for purchasing info on New Dress a Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from Thrift-Store Don’ts
For a chance to win this fun and creative book, please answer the following question in the comments section below: What is your favorite BurdaStyle dress pattern and why? (Please include the link to the sewing pattern as well.)
The deadline for submissions is Monday, November 5, 2012 at 5 p.m. (EST). One lucky winner will be chosen.
Good luck!
The BurdaStyle Team
Nov 5, 2012, 03.37 AMby runningwithscissors1
There are lots of favourites, but the most recent one I made and love from Burda Style is the side gather top from September 2012 http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/side-gather-top-092012 I just have to fix the neck on it, then I will be wearing it all the time!
Nov 5, 2012, 02.48 AMby margylee
I discovered Steampunk a few years ago because it combines a fashionable period of the late 1880’s and the creativity of a time of invention. I love the BurdaStyle History 1888 Dress. It has endless possibilities like the period that gave us the light bulb, the telegraph, the telephone, and the car.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-7284-burda-style-history-1888.aspx
Nov 4, 2012, 11.15 PMby shakti44
I soo love this one !! http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/double-breasted-cape-082012 I wanted to make myself a cape for years now ! I’m not skilled enough yet but i think i will try soon anyway ! :)
Nov 4, 2012, 10.05 PMby BecsNZ
I love the Lusia Beccaria Dress – http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/luisa-beccaria-dress-062012. It has so many gorgeous details and has beautiful lines.
Nov 4, 2012, 06.32 PMby Morgan Cramer
That looks like a very nice book. This is my favorite pattern. http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/calf-length-dress-102012 It is very sweet and feminine, and I like the neckline. I also appreciate the pleats along the waistline. Thank you!
Nov 4, 2012, 05.20 PMby strawberryfield
Definetly this one: http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/072011-v-neck-lbd?image=214956 , simple but very chic and feminine. It’s also suitable for work as well for evening, so it’s a perfect piece in my opinion.
Nov 4, 2012, 01.57 PMby SewNotWork
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/52011-dress-with-a-line-skirt
This is my favorite because of clean lines.
Nov 4, 2012, 01.13 PMby Debbie Allingham
It has to be http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/52011-dress-with-a-line-skirt
I’ve made 3 dresses so far using this pattern and it turns out beautifully every time. I used the bodice to create my vintage cutwork fusion dress with vintage fabric, used the standard pattern to create a fabulous dress from Amy Butler fabric and adapted the bodice to make a cutaway shoulder dress with narrow neck band from black broderie anglais. And I’ll doubtless use it again! Currently I’ve only worked with cotton (although the cutwork version – in my projects – was rather fun due to the large holes in the fabric!) but I’ll soon be making it using a vintage floral silk that has some body and will be perfect for the design. It’s versatile and fits so beautifully – the waist and skirt line are particularly flattering. Thanks Burda – you always bring us great styles that work so well – and adapt well too! :)
Nov 4, 2012, 10.20 AMby galatina
I love the Anda because you can adapt it in so many ways. http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/anda
Thanks for a lovely giveaway.
Nov 4, 2012, 07.30 AMby heatherrique
There are several Burda Style dresses I like, but my current favorite is the Aphrodite dress from the July 2012 issue, because this is the first Burda Style dress pattern that I sewed and that it has style elements from the retro 1980’s/early 1990’s.
http://www.burdafashion.com/fr/Magazines/burda_Style/119_Robe/1270777-1000019-1795918-1795924-1795963.html
My version: http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/aphrodite-burda-style-june-2012-119
Nov 4, 2012, 05.32 AMby Alecia-Renee
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/vintage-dress-052012
This dress is my favourite because I have been searching for something like this for a long, long time! I love vintage styles and this dress feels like it could be easily translated into both modern day or true vintage style. I love the draped detail of the back and it would show off my new scar! It’s a true movie star dress!
Nov 4, 2012, 04.56 AMby meggiemoo
I really love this dress pattern: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/022011-dress-with-gathered-rectangle-skirt-and-cap-sleeves – it’s so cute and summery, simple to sew up, and so easy to customise!!
Nov 4, 2012, 04.26 AMby mwelland
I’d have to say the Long Sleeved Seamed Dress (08/2012) http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/long-sleeve-seamed-dress-082012 I love it because of its universally flattering shape, and the fact that it’s a blank slate for variations and embellishment. I’m always looking for patterns that can be remade over and over without it looking like I’ve got a whole bunch of duplicates in my closet. It has a wonderful vintage silhouette, which I always love and could be made dressy or casual, summer or winter depending on the fabric choice. It’s a great layering dress and looks tailored without being fussy.
Nov 4, 2012, 04.25 AMby inspirehope
I like Paola because it’s classy and will work for my body type. http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/paola
Nov 4, 2012, 04.06 AMby himegirl15
This book looks really interesting…
My favorite pattern so far is: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/kiki
It blends elegant, creative and chic all in one. I absolutely love the design and can’t wait to finally make it!
Nov 3, 2012, 10.36 PMby Irina Schwab
Just after the peplum top and straight skirt (which I have already tried and successfully completed), my second favourite is http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/calf-length-dress-102012. I cannot wait to try this pattern. The dress is precious and the design has something surreal about it. I would definitely choose a brocade fabric for an “expensive” flair to it. Stunning dress, delicate, vintage and young at the same time.
Nov 3, 2012, 10.10 PMby MojoHollz
With out a doubt my favorite is the Matthew Williamson dress!http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/matthew-williamson-dress-092012 I love the clean cut lines, the sophisticated silhouette, the pockets that give it a dash of funand the tad bit of sexy with the low back! It has a little something for every one :)
I am mid project right now with something that is takeing longer than expected but this is the next item on my list of to-do’s!
Nov 3, 2012, 08.47 PMby thisdamselflies
I love her blog! It’s so inspiring. My favorite Burdastyle dress is the puff sleeve dress: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/puff-sleeve-dress-072012
Nov 3, 2012, 08.40 PMby Victoria Callas
At the moment I’m in love with Empire Dress pattern (http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/empire-dress-82012), it looks so classy, elegant and still youthful – perfect for job interviews!
Nov 3, 2012, 07.50 PMby Sharonoid
I’m in love with this pin-tuck dress (http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/072011-dress-with-pin-tucks-plus-size). I literally can’t stop looking at it, and plan to make it to wear at Christmas!
It’s such a simple pattern, but the pin-tuck details mean that its both fitted and flowing. I can imagine it in cotton or linen for sunny summer days too.
Nov 3, 2012, 07.17 PMby Helena Ullman
I love this Peplum top http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/peplum-top-082012. It’s perfect with both pants or a skirt either you go to work or to a party. It all depends on which fabric you use! I’m gonna make my third one this week :)
Nov 3, 2012, 06.34 PMby Lorraine Lahav
My favourite is the Sheath dress 138 in November issue 2012. I can`t wait to make it. The dress is figure enhancing, feminine and beautiful with a touch of " old world style".
Nov 3, 2012, 06.14 PMby slj1224
I am 5’2" and it’s so hard to find a dress that doesn’t accentuate the negatives or make me look short and stumpy!! lol Love the Bow Front Dress— it’s fun enough to wear to a casual backyard party with flip flops or add a cute wedge or heel and can be also worn out to dinner with friends – love the simple lines and style – not too overbearing. http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/bow-front-dress-072012
Nov 3, 2012, 04.16 PMby avaschmidtchico
I like the reverse pleated dress the most. It just looks so flattering. Although most of the clothes on this site look like what my mother wore in the pictures of her and me at The World Fair in San Antonio- 196_? If that doesn’t date me, I don’t know what does. My mother was so stylish! But anyway, the dress is classic and flattering for a “real” figure and works internationally as well. I would love to wear this out to a show in New York City or to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Nov 3, 2012, 03.37 PMby flutefish
I love the Shari… it’s just so cute and flawy! http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/shari
Nov 3, 2012, 03.19 PMby gemmafloyd
My favorite dress pattern would be the Chiffon maxi dress (http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/62010-chiffon-maxi-dress-with-jeweled-neckline). The pleats are wonderful and they look really good when put on.
Nov 3, 2012, 02.04 PMby Nianest Alers
My favorite dress pattern is the Ruched sheath dress, because It can be elegant, sexy, and fun. When I first saw it I fell in love. I felt as if a very strong confident woman would wear this dress, and I consider myself a confident woman. http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/ruched-sheath-dress-052012
Nov 3, 2012, 01.56 PMby laracrj
So many to choose from, but it has to be the knot front dress at the moment http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/dress-with-knot-front-032012 It just looks so different in different fabrics and I love the way that the fit can be easily adjusted by pulling the knot! Every existing project from this pattern looks so stylish.
Nov 3, 2012, 01.36 PMby aniawroblewskijones
This dress is the timeless elegance with contemporary chic http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/cowl-dress-102012 I simply love. Perfect for any season with the right fabric choice.
Nov 3, 2012, 01.36 PMby CarroH
I just love this dress: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/alberta-ferretti-dress-042012 the drapes on the shoulders and the layered skirt are just amazing! Elegant, yet simple, perfect for a cocktail party :) This dress would look good in so many colors I don’t even know which one I would choose, once summer comes along again I might make it in a leafy green.