My grandmother and two aunts are wonderful seamstresses, and my cousin studied fashion design in Montreal. So I guess I got a share of the genes, LOL! I've known Burda all my life. I even have a few from the early 80s that I inherited from my aunt. But the true revelation was discovering Burda Petite. A week before I turned 20, I decided I needed a new dress (it's our family tradition). So I went to the bookstore, found this Burda Petite and, sight unseen, made the dress. It fit perfectly and I got so many compliments, I've been faithful ever since. Even when the prices quintupled over the last 10 yrs...