[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 Yes, with a little imagination—and DIY tools like needles, thread, and safety pins—you too can update an outdated castoff.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 2, 2012, 04.43 PMby jessicaatx
I think my favorite is the draped dress. It just looks so comfortable, like something I could lounge about in. It doesn’t hurt that its a really simple pattern!
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/draped-dress-042012
Nov 2, 2012, 04.38 PMby mid
My favorite: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/dress-with-knot-front-032012 It’s a simple, gorgeous. ideal for dancing, and comes with a twist! :D
Nov 2, 2012, 04.32 PMby maidenjane
I have this dress pattern ready to start cutting!!!
The Section Dress: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/section-dress-plus-size-112012
Nov 2, 2012, 04.31 PMby rynsnn
So hard to pick just one! I love the wrap dress. Its so flattering on so many figures!
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/wrap-dress-112012
Nov 2, 2012, 04.28 PMby Shira B
my favourite pattern is: 02/2011dress with gathered rectangle skirt and cap sleeves it’s simple but looks great and beautiful!
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/022011-dress-with-gathered-rectangle-skirt-and-cap-sleevesNov 2, 2012, 04.23 PMby carriemak
I am on a cowl neckline kick and this pattern is perfect for it:
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/cowl-dress-102012
Nov 2, 2012, 04.19 PMby firenice468
Can’t wait to make the Empire Dress – so classy, versatile for day-to-night, and flattering! http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/empire-dress-82012
Nov 2, 2012, 04.18 PMby bttn
I choose the cowl dress, because of the interesting assimetrical bias cut and the soft neckline. I already have the fabric for it. http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/cowl-dress-102012
Nov 2, 2012, 04.13 PMby farintastisch
I just love the Maryy dress: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/maryy It’s the perfect dress for a hot summer and can be modified in so many ways to look cute, sportive, etc.
Nov 2, 2012, 04.11 PMby Isabell Buenz
My favourite is the body-con dress pattern http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/scuba-dress-092012 Perfect if you’re not into Vintage. Also, being called ‘Scuba dress’ I had to select it!
Nov 2, 2012, 04.02 PMby barmaglot
I like the elegance and chic of this dress that is so popular on Burdastyle right now!
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/cowl-dress-102012
Nov 2, 2012, 03.54 PMby sgm
I love the Long Sleeve Seamed Dress: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/long-sleeve-seamed-dress-082012
It’s just so chic! In the right color, it’d be perfect for work AND going out.
Nov 2, 2012, 03.53 PMby Mauude
Maybe it can seem weird but my favorite dress is the The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook – Dress :
http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/the-burdastyle-sewing-handbook-dress
Is it so simple that I can adjust the pattern to make any kinf of dress with one pattern! Its perfect to create dresses ! :) I love it !!
Nov 2, 2012, 03.52 PMby Cierra Pamplin
I can see using the Drape Neck Dress (and Top) to make a comfy and casual outfit and a date night/girl’s night outfit as well. It’s one of the plus size patterns a like.
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/drape-neck-top-and-dress-plus-size-042012
Nov 2, 2012, 03.51 PMby nurit02
My favorite dress pattern is http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/dart-dress-plus-size-072012 Being a short, small waisted woman with a huge bust, I need to dart everything to fit, or it will look kind of oversized. I can’t wear store bought dresses. This pattern gave me the courage to experiment more with interessting dart placement… and it is a beautiful, simple and elegant dress. Sometimes less is more!
Nov 2, 2012, 03.49 PMby liminef
One of my favorite dress pattern is the drapé dress : http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/62010-drap%C3%A9-dress. Lots of possibilities, alter a bit here and there, use different kind of fabrics and it’s a totally different dress! love it!
Nov 2, 2012, 03.48 PMby missmonica
My favorite dress is the Ruched Sheath Dress 05/2012 #112! It’s a beautiful pattern and it will look great on all types of bodies!
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/ruched-sheath-dress-052012
Nov 2, 2012, 03.47 PMby mcclxix
My latest favorite from BurdaStyle is the Shirtwaist Dress (http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/shirtwaist-dress-092012). I love masculine fashion transformed to feminine wear, and shirt dresses in general are a perfect example of this practice. Relaxed, simple, unpretentious, receptive to accessorizing and customization… what more could anybody ask for in a pattern? I love the ruching on the yoke! Of course, I’m also a tremendous fan of the BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook and the patterns therein.
Nov 2, 2012, 03.42 PMby cirucci
One of my favourite pattern is http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/maryy, why? it´s quite summer-wearable, it´s easy and you can make it with a lot of different fabrics and add little variations to make each dress different to the other! great options for begginers too!
Nov 2, 2012, 03.42 PMby Samantha Collins
This was hard because there are so many pretty dresses to choose from, but then I looked at the ones I get the most use out of it and it’s gotta be the Plaid dress #107B. It is so simple and I’ve done it in a couple of different fabrics and I love it more and more each time! http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/112011-plaid-dress
Nov 2, 2012, 03.41 PMby tinapickles
My favorite pattern is the Hikaru Jacket (http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/hikaru). I haven’t made it (too scared to!) but I frequently stare longingly at the pattern page.
Nov 2, 2012, 03.40 PMby Chrisoula Maroglou
most flaterring… and quite versatile depend on fabric….own a few of this pattern and preparing to sew one myself http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/reversed-pleated-dress-102012
Nov 2, 2012, 03.39 PMby Amanda Luker
It’s hard to choose one, but I can’t wait to try the making the Gail dress: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/gail
Nov 2, 2012, 03.32 PMby madyb
My favorite Burdastyle pattern is the Shift Dress 09/2012 #107(http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/shift-dress-092012),because I think is very flattering,versatile and can suit many occasions!
Nov 2, 2012, 03.30 PMby Elisa Best
My favorite is the tulip dress. http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/tulip-dress-012012?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-Networking&utm_campaign=burda-style-magazine-pattern I love it because it’s really flattering and cute. It’s also a very simple and easy look but makes you look well put together.
Nov 2, 2012, 03.23 PMby celestialarcher
My fave is Francesca Long Plus size http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/francesca-long-plus-size-dress. Depending on the fabric choice it can look dressy and formal or cute and casual.
Nov 2, 2012, 03.20 PMby FabricUiPhoneApp
Favorite Burdastyle dress pattern? I really like this 1950s gathered sheath. http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/gathered-sheath-dress-112012 It’s incredibly flattering…hard to believe it’s from the 1950s, it has such style.
Nov 2, 2012, 03.20 PMby Trudy McGrath
My favourite is the 01/2012 Long fur coat with zipper #114 as after I have purchased it I did at least 5 different versions out of it not only that it is pretty straightforward but very versatile and can be altered easily! Love it and great value :)
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/012012-long-fur-coat-with-zipper