Burda Style For people who sew

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7 April

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  Apr 7, 2013, 12.01 AMby ndimi

  Quilting too finicky, or takes too long? My mum-in-law says she’ll never quilt because it takes so long and requires so much attention to detail. Yet I love it for its “piecemeal” factor, I can work on a block now, another later, bit by bit, and have something beautiful when it’s finally finished. Suits my ADHD temperament! LOL

  Hope whatever is giving you a headache works out. :)

  2 Replies

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    Apr 7, 2013, 06.12 AMby jennyrecorder

    It is the last project from my sewing teacher, a shabby quilt, just lots of big squares, lots of straight lines…it is a lesson in tedium.

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    Apr 7, 2013, 08.49 AMby ndimi

    Make it a deadline? Work out how long it takes do a section, and set the timer. Promise it for a gift for somebody in a doable time frame, but that will stretch you?

    That’s how I do “tedious”. :)

    Good luck!

10 February

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  Feb 10, 2013, 02.47 PMby Anne Wagenhauser

  Congrats on the old Bernina! They are such workhorses. I have two 830’s, both in their early 40’s. Love them to bits.

  1 Reply

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    Feb 10, 2013, 10.09 PMby jennyrecorder

    Thanks Anne, I am really excited as she should be arriving this week sometime…she already has a name!

7 February

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  Feb 7, 2013, 11.37 AMby schnui

  Congratulations on getting the Bernina Jenny. Is it a 730??? They are brilliant. Mum still has hers although she doesn’t use it anymore. They came with all the good feet that you have to buy with all other Berninas separately. Enjoy sewing with it.

  2 Replies

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    Feb 7, 2013, 12.18 PMby jennyrecorder

    Thanks Marjorie, it’s coming from Brisbane! It’s nearly 19 kg, so The freight is nearly $100 and it is a bit shabby, but it’s just been serviced and is in top notch working order, all the feet included. I’ve already named her and am quite excited :) My Pfaff will be the one that travels to sewing events.

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    Feb 7, 2013, 12.19 PMby jennyrecorder

    …oh and yes she’s a 730…!

14 December

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  Dec 14, 2012, 05.34 PMby Klandestino-Atelier

  Thank you!

1 November

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  Nov 1, 2012, 12.45 AMby jennyrecorder

  I really need to refashion the projects that ended up as duds- I’m thinking specifically the circle skirt! It is just not my style (being short and about 10 kg overweight), there is enough fabric in it to make a Danielle methinks. Speaking of my Danielle, it needs adjustment because I made it before I knew how to do such things, lovely dress, just sick of it falling off my shoulders and showing too much cleavage;)

12 July

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  Jul 12, 2012, 10.43 PMby skeeler

  Have fun in the couture class! I finished my dress yesterday. It took awhile, but I learned tons…

  1 Reply

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    Jul 13, 2012, 04.59 AMby jennyrecorder

    Oh Sue, it is taking ages! I’ve just sewn the cutting lines and can’t wait to get the sewing lines done. I must admit though, having a lovelu calico dress pattern will make all the difference when cutting out the nice fabric.

3 April

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  Apr 3, 2012, 03.18 AMby jacquipardue

  Hi Jenn, I was so excited to get your comment on my blog!! Thank you for reading and adding me, I too look forward to seeing your projects. I appreciate the encouragement and inspiration from fellow sewists. Have a wonderful evening! From the West Coast of California, Jacqui

31 March

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  Mar 31, 2012, 02.00 PMby skeeler

  Good luck on your no-buying-clothes project Jenny!

  1 Reply

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    Mar 31, 2012, 11.59 PMby jennyrecorder

    Thanks Susan :)

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  Mar 31, 2012, 06.59 AMby schnui

  Good luck Jenny!!! I am sure you can do it and you will learn so much along the way. I am going to attempt to empty my fabric storage bins, but I may need a decade!!

  I like your Monty Python quote “spam, spam, spam” regarding the LV bags. Who are these people???

  1 Reply

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    Mar 31, 2012, 02.28 PMby jennyrecorder

    Hmmm my stash allows me a few new pieces without having to buy anything, somehow the challenge won’t be so challenging really!

12 March

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  Mar 12, 2012, 12.33 AMby schnui

  Have you and your sewing machine melted away yet??? I heard that Perth is cooking under the sun in the hottest summer for ages!!

  1 Reply

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    Mar 12, 2012, 12.41 AMby jennyrecorder

    Hiya Marjorie, I’m cool (don’t really feel the heat luckily), but my poor garden is looking very crispy… also found out on Saturday that my retic to the front isn’t working (probably not for a while). It’s warm, but the media make such a big deal of it. I’ve been sewing in my (unairconditioned) sewing room, a winter wool skirt (unpleasant to be sewing in the heat) and I’ve been doing a stack of mending a minor alterations. How’s uni going, probably doesn’t leave you much time for anything else atm?

7 March

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  Mar 7, 2012, 12.36 AMby schnui

  What do you mean Jenny?? You look great for 49. I am a bit lumpy and I blame Chocolate!!!

  2 Replies

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    Mar 7, 2012, 10.32 AMby jennyrecorder

    Ah Marjorie, you only see my head!!! Seriously though, I would love to connect with other women of our age and figure-challenges, to share notes on what are flattering patterns etc. There are a huge amount of slim, young things (like I was about 14 years ago) that everything looks good on!!! I think, it’s all a bit more challenging for us…

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    Mar 7, 2012, 11.05 AMby schnui

    I agree with you Jenny and I am now looking mainly at Burda plus patterns. Patterns that are now figure hugging, but have some fit and style to them. Do you get the Burda Style magazine?? It is great and only provides patterns that suit certain figures. I have been getting them since I was 17 and that was quite a while ago. Anyway, I never thought I would ever have to use a Plus pattern but alas I now do. My floaty floral blouse is a plus pattern and I have now made that several times and I am so happy with it. If you don’t get the Burda magazine, I would be happy to send you the details to subscribe to it. It is about 85 euros per year and at the moment with the Aussie dollar, that is the cheapest they have ever been for 12 issues.

28 February

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  Feb 28, 2012, 04.51 AMby schnui

  Hi Jenny, I just found this tutorial and thought it might be useful. http://www.bitterpurl.com/2011/04/bias_binding_tutorial.php
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  Feb 28, 2012, 03.44 AMby schnui

  Good luck with your Sorbetto and I truly hope the darts are in the right spot. I used a Clover bias maker to make the neck and armhole edging and it was brilliant. There is a technique lesson on this site to follow which is good. Post some photos please.

25 February

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  Feb 25, 2012, 11.44 PMby jennyrecorder

  Yesterday I did mending and alterations, stuff that has been crying out to be done for months! I’m happy as I can now wear my white jeans that I bought in spring and Clare is happy as she can now wear the tee she bought about 2 months ago that wasn’t as fitted ashe’d hoped. Just wish the ribbon from Sydney had arrived so I can finish the dress and the skirt.

24 January

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  Jan 24, 2012, 05.10 AMby schnui

  I hope you are having fun making boardies. I have just been through my stash as it is raining so heavily here that I won’t leave home today. I found some very forgotten treasures and there seems to be plenty of meterage which is good. I am not sure what the exact term ‘vintage’ means anymore but some of this fabric is most likely vintage. Hehe, I am trendy after all!! Happy sewing.

  2 Replies

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    Jan 24, 2012, 05.58 AMby jennyrecorder

    Hi Marjorie, my husband is enormous (6’4"), so sewing a straight seam goes on forever!!! At the moment I am just making the toile, as I drafted the pattern off his favourite boardshorts and can’t find any fabric that he likes, the fabric I’m using a cotton sheet that I made a quilt back out of. Sheeting is really good value for sewing I think I had a look online at Ikea fabric last night and if I didn’t have so much in my stash already, I’d be over there in a flash, ditto a textile wholesaler just 5 mins from where I live, raw sil for $16 a metre, silk chiffon for less that $14/m!!! Queensland is battening down again I hear, hope you don’t get anywhere near a repeat of what happened last year. My brother was on his way back to WA when Ippy got flooded, so he turned around and spent 4 weeks helping friends and Ippy wasn’t the worst hit :( My thoughts are with you all over there, keep safe.

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    Jan 24, 2012, 06.20 AMby schnui

    Thanks Jenny, it doesn’t seem too bad where I am which is good. I live beside the Brisbane River and all seems ok at this stage. I think it is the Sunshine and Gold Coasts really copping the rain.
    My late husband was 6’3" and I use to make shirts for him which seemed to go on and on forever. I never was brave enough to try pants/boardies-he was too fussy.
    Your fabric shop that is handy sounds like good value. I buy Ikea fabric too for certain projects and always find it good quality for the price. Fortunately it is a bit of a drive to go there, so I am not tempted too often.

22 January

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  Jan 22, 2012, 12.41 AMby patti-r

  deja vu, We also have a daughter 5’ 9", at 11 she could reach things in the cabinets for me, husband is 6’.

  You know what they say, Good things come in small packages. (wink)

  1 Reply

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    Jan 22, 2012, 04.31 AMby jennyrecorder

    Oh yes!

21 January

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  Jan 21, 2012, 03.58 PMby patti-r

  Hi, So your Vertically Challenged too?? So am I, 5’1" LOL Hugs, Patti

  1 Reply

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    Jan 22, 2012, 12.09 AMby jennyrecorder

    Yep, I married a tall man and became the shortest one in my family when my daughter was 10, she is now a very elegant 5’9"! I’m 5’3", but also built for hard physical work courtesy my Germanic heritage.

5 January

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  Jan 5, 2012, 04.10 AMby jennyrecorder

  Update on the circle skirt. Mum’s bobbin winder didn’t work (off for a servie and repair now), so I ended up making most of the skirt by hand, the fabric shrunk in the pre-wash, so I bought two shades of Indian cotton (mixed green and lime) which were lovely to work with…but…so much sewing!!! I french-seamed both the skirt and the lining, hand-inserted the zipper and hand-sewed the buttonhole. Thank goodness I left the hemming until I returned home as each skirt (shell and lining) have nearly 5m to hem!!! Even on the machine it takes an age, I am totally over this process and ploan to finish it today and post pictures once it is washed and pressed. I have also sewn a matching Peter Pan collar to wear with the white tee I planned to go with the skirt, Looking forward to this project being finished. On a brighter note, my Vogue patterns arrived recently and I can’t wait to get started on the felt jacket, Mum gave some wool fabric that I think I’ll make another A plus A line skirt with – a new winter outfit :) I have also joined the Perth BSC.

22 December

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  Dec 22, 2011, 06.25 AMby jennyrecorder

  If I am still as passionate about sewing this time next year and this craze is not a flash in the pan, my present to myself will be a Bernina 530, at $2300, I need to start saving!

21 December

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  Dec 21, 2011, 06.59 AMby jennyrecorder

  I’ve decided to make a circle skirt with the blue and white stretch woven fabric ,going down to Mums over Christmas so I can do it on her Pfaff. Decided against making the Danielle until I’m back from holidays, I want some time to make a toile first so I can get the fit correct and I think it may take a bit of time.

15 December

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  Dec 15, 2011, 10.27 PMby jennyrecorder

  Have ordered five Vogue patterns and wish they were here now! Bought a heap of fabric as well: blue Italian felt for the Vogue jacket floral cotton stretch for my Danielle (to sew at Mums over Christmas/New Year Blue and whie stretch woven, either for a skirt or a top, haven’t decided yet Gorgeous embroidered cotton ( very sheer) for a caftan I’m going to make this week to go down to Mums for the hot, summer break

  Wish I had less stuff to do and more time to sew :(

30 November

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  Nov 30, 2011, 10.08 PMby jennyrecorder

  A plus A Line skirt is finished except the bottom hem. Conundrum, the skirt is so long, but the fabric is very sturdy…I’m thinking, on the knee to wear with boots, but I am afraid of making it too short……???

28 November

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  Nov 28, 2011, 11.04 PMby jennyrecorder

  Everyday life is getting in the way of making stuff= frustration!

26 November

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  Nov 26, 2011, 01.25 PMby jennyrecorder

  Buttonholes are EASY!

19 November

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  Nov 19, 2011, 11.07 PMby jennyrecorder

  The things you find when you don’t go looking! I have never sewn buttonholes on my new-ish machine, but yesterday needed to for a project for a friends daughter. Well, botch-up after botch-up and I was getting pretty frustrated! The instructions in my manual were pretty vague, so I ended up with two slightly botchy but passable buttonholes :( As I was putting the dustcover back on my machine, for some obscure reason I started playing with my stitch selector control and chanced upon, guess what? The whole buttonholing business!!! Todays job is to perfect buttonholes, now I have learnt a little more about my machine!