Burda Style For people who sew

I’ve looked over the Burda size charts and I’m royally confused.

Most patterns have the normal women’s sizes 30-60 that are on the BurdaStyle-provided size chart.

However, there are some BurdaStyle patterns in very odd size ranges like 91-110 or 17-21 or 76-92. These are women’s patterns, mind you, not children’s or men’s.

Examples:
http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/092011-fur-waistcoat
http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/072011-oversized-top

I assume that the different numbers have something to do with petite sizing or whatever, but I do not see these size ranges explained anywhere, and it’s pretty frustrating to try to decipher them with no guidance.

Sep 17, 2011, 03.41 PM by galiana

• ShareThis

7 Posts

• 

  Sep 24, 2011, 08.53 PMby nouvellegamine

  17-21 are petite sizes (about 5’3"). 76 to 92 are tall ( 5’9")

  so the fur vest is petite. the top is tall. you didn’t provide a link to 91-110, so i don’t know. :(

  good luck!
• 

  Sep 26, 2011, 01.17 AMby galiana

  Thanks, but that doesn’t really help. 17 petite equals what bust size? What waist size?

  That’s why a chart is needed.
• 

  Sep 26, 2011, 09.35 AMby ichigogirl

  Yup, they should really, really add size charts for all systems used by Burdastyle Magazine here on the website. I’d suggest you to suggest it on the help- page (which is not here). They tend to get back to questions/suggestions there, and not here. I’m a bit too active there already ;-)
• 

  Sep 26, 2011, 09.15 PMby nouvellegamine

  they should update them, but the curious kiwi has them on her blog~

  http://thecuriouskiwi.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/burda-sizes-chart.jpg

  http://thecuriouskiwi.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/burda-tall-sizes.jpg
• 

  Sep 28, 2011, 05.59 PMby katring

  I just purchased some patterns and the sizes listed (I didn’t notice it before) are 17-21. What does that mean? If they are petite sizes, how do I make them work for a regular sized person?

  3 Replies

  • 

    Sep 28, 2011, 08.56 PMby nouvellegamine

    it sounds like you bought a burda petite pattern which is made for someone 5’3". standard burda patterns are made for someone 5’6". the first link i posted above will list the differences for you. it’s very easy to lengthen patterns. i’m 5’9", so i have to lengthen every pattern i sew from :)
    do you have a book on how to sew clothes? if so, there should be a tutorial describing lengthening or adjusting patterns. if not, there are a bunch you can google :)

  • 

    Sep 28, 2011, 11.29 PMby kaitui-kiwi

    I have the “how to lengthen a petite sized pattern” from Burda on my blog, have a look here :)

  • 

    Sep 29, 2011, 03.47 AMby nouvellegamine

    @kaitui-kiwi~ you’re blog is awesome!

• 

  Oct 7, 2011, 03.42 PMby katring

  Thanks for all the helpful info! Now I get it! (I think).
• 

  Feb 17, 2012, 05.19 PMby mynameisdavid

  Hi Everyone,

  We actually recently updated our size charts to reflect all of the sizes featured in our patterns. Please download them here.

  Best,

  David