Burda Style For people who sew

Last autumn I took an online class in hand stitches (after several years, I finally decided to perk up my rusty sewing skills, and it was the only class available that month) and after the first session I knew that all I wanted to do was learn couture sewing. Fortunately, there are now many resources available for anyone who wants to master this amazing and exquisite craft. Couture sewing is not cheap, neither it is fast, but the results are worth it! Even if you use only one technique in a garment, such as a balanced dart for example, you will be surprised how it elevates your garment from mass production. And you know what? There is a remarkable number of home seamstresses using couture techniques in their sewing.

As our community is expanding and we are welcoming new members, we thought it would be helpful and informative to communicate how a BurdaStyle Member Project is defined.

Currently, over fifty five thousand member projects have been shared on BurdaStyle. That’s a BIG number!

Our projects section is as diverse as our members. Whether you are inspired by fantastical cos play costumes, retro looks, glamorous ball gowns, or classic and clean silhouettes, there’s certainly something for every taste!

Where are you from? Where do you live?
I’m from Marietta, Ohio. A small river town that boarders West Virginia. I grew up in the same house my entire life, and I moved to Columbus, Ohio, where I currently reside, to attend Columbus College of Art and Design. I graduated with a BFA in Fashion Design in 2009 and I now work at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (the best ice cream in the world) by day, and sew my heart out by night.

The clock is ticking, I have something like 126 days until my wedding and I couldn’t be more calm. Maybe it’s all of the lavender I’ve been smelling, as I want to use it for table arrangements, it’s said to relax and calm you. I’m still making mood boards for my gown. I now plan to make two: a long, filmy ceremony gown, and a party dress that still says “bride”. Check out my latest inspiration from the 20s, 30s and 40s….

Comment on the blog or follow us on Twitter for your chance to win a copy of “Building Patterns: The Architecture of Women’s Clothing!” by Suzy Furrer.

Cotton, the fabric of our lives, has been increasing in price since Fall of last year and continuing speculations show no signs of stopping. I read a headline the other day that said cotton is at it’s highest price since the Civil War and it got me thinking, has the higher price and worldwide shortage of cotton affected your sewing or project plans? Cotton is a staple in sewing and craft and with a shortage in China (the world’s largest supplier of cotton) and natural disasters in Texas (the #2 supplier of cotton in the U.S.) what does that mean for our everyday sewing endeavors? Will higher cotton prices have you using other fabrics? Skipping out on muslin? How much does fabric price factor into your projects? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

There’s a reason why fashion designers and sewers will often reference the past when making clothes in the present— there are certain classic that will always be timeless, classy and elegant. How many of you refer to a certain decade or era when designing? Why do you think these looks come back in style? Will they still be worn on 100 years? Read on and get 7 brand new patterns. Above: Model in yellow dress from Vogue, 1938; Madisyn (in Alberta Ferretti ad campaign).

I’m sure that I can’t be the only one that does it… watch runway and awards shows just to see what everyone is wearing. One of the hottest trends this season are Grecian-style dresses and top – not only do these look flattering to almost any shape, they can be quite simple to make. These designs are typically made from lightweight materials such as chiffon, thin jersey, and even some satins which give these garments the drape and pleats which are the defining element for this style. Don’t know where to start on making this look for yourself or how to handle these materials? This great article by DIY Design will teach you how.

Making your own one-of-a-kind garment takes a heck of a lot more time that picking one up at a boutique. With all the hours spent making sure your seams are perfectly aligned and your hem just so, you want to get as much wear out of your sewing project as possible, right? Of course you do! Check out my favorite ideas for extending the life of one of our project patterns – a simple shift dress – and see fun ways you can rock this project all weekend long.

BurdaStyle Day, May 12th is only days away!

Over 40 groups have formed on our official Meetup page, and we are so excited for all of you to meet one another live and in-person!

Readers, I do not have a look. Or if I do, I am not aware of it.

I have always wanted a look but it never came naturally to me, which is strange since I am, and always was, interested in fashion. I just lacked the energy to make it happen, I guess. It also has to do with my being raised to believe you weren’t supposed to put too much emphasis on appearances, as well as growing up male in a culture where men are not supposed to be overly interested in clothes.

It’s no secret that I have a deep love of history, especially when it comes to fashion. Over time, I have come to appreciate and understand how the domestic arts have empowered women and, in turn, affected their societal roles. This is one of the reasons I love sewing. This simple craft has, over time, had a measurable affect on women across generations. Sewing gave women control. In the early days, it gave women a place to find solace and, within the confines of their homes, allowed them to maintain their traditional roles while exploring new ones.

Alexander McQueen has been the name on everyone’s lips for the past few days and all that talk culminated in a celebration of his life and life’s work at last night’s Costume Institute Gala. The Metropolitan Museum’s ode to McQueen entitled “Savage Beauty” opened to great adoration as friends of the designer, including Daphne Guinness and Sarah Jessica Parker, walked the red carpet in his breathtaking creations. Click through to see some of my favorite looks and tell me who you think stole the show.