Burda Style For people who sew
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Description
Our fun, simple Kathrine dress is easy to sew and easy to wear. We love the fitted back with pleat and the full, loose movement in the front. Have fun accessorizing it, perhaps with multiple, brightly colored silk sashes, trendy bow ties, or piles of chunky necklaces. Next week, we’ll post the Plus Size of this dress, which we adjusted to better accommodate the plus figure.
Material Notes
We used a beautiful wool suiting material for the dress, and we couldn't decide which color of the silk charmeuse we liked better for the sash, so we made both! And for the little button at the center back, we wanted it to be invisible, so we used a crochet loop, and put a small button on the inside of the dress. You can also put a crochet loop on your sash, and attach it to the dress via the same button.
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Credits
- Photographer
- Stylist
Jamie M. Rosenthal
- Hair & Make-up
- Model
Sasha
44 Comments
Patterns for this Project
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Dec 6, 2009, 04.08 AMby Dawn Marx
I absolutely LOVE the dress. I have a question though. Do you have any tips for making it longer in the back , but the front stays the same?
May 8, 2009, 01.40 PMby Smudges
I LOVE IT!!!!! Where can I find this pattern?? I’m a COMPLETE novice would I be able to do it? I have a very basic NECCHI machine 21 stitch. I’m looking for a garment that I can sink my teeth into as my forst project. Think this would be purrfect! :)
Apr 7, 2009, 11.50 AMby Aleah
Would work great to all of us quite tall, slim and skinny girls. I really adore these kinds of dresses, I like them so much. :) Thanks!
Mar 31, 2009, 10.38 AMby emazon
I really love how this looks, but I know that I can’t wear sack dresses and they just get worse when I add a belt. I wish the designers would do more dresses with waists. Smocks are much more popular as tops right now than dresses anyway. It feels very last year, and not very fresh.
Mar 25, 2009, 06.21 PMby davyjonesoverlocker
Malissa, Malissa variations, Anda, Anda Variations and now Kathrine.
I’d like to see a frock that isn’t so same-ish.
Mar 25, 2009, 06.20 AMby Linda-Ross
With all the front pleats this looks like a very elegant maternity dress. At the very least, friends and family will wonder why you didn’t tell them and strangers will be asking when you are due. Of course, if you ARE pregnant, you will be in high style. I will not be making this dress.
Mar 25, 2009, 01.58 AMby WowandFlutter
I do like the big boxy pleats. However, the shoes! The shoes! they are so pretty, is there a pattern for those ?
Mar 24, 2009, 04.49 PMby IonaK
I really like the dress but to make it for me, I’d modify it a little. I think I’d sew down the front (middle?) pleats, at least to just above the waistline. That would give me the definition I prefer without comprising the line and style.
My first thought was a great winter dress (remember, the southern hemisphere is in autumn, it’s not spring everywhere!) with a top underneath and leggings.
This dress typifies what I like about BurdaStyle patterns: stylish and contemporary design with room for modifications and variations.
Mar 24, 2009, 03.10 PMby sonipitts
Actually, I think I’d love to see this in a layered chiffon look (several layers of different colors) with gradated hem lengths. I think those pleats and the shape would be absolutely gorgeous in floaty layers of color.
I do agree with a few commentors that I’d probably put a band just under the bust to flatter my own shape better, although I’d have to try it out first without…you never know. Either way, it looks like it’d be comfortable as all get-out, and that’s a biggie for me.
Mar 24, 2009, 03.09 PMby chrisjalys
I love this pattern. Can’t wait to see the plus size version. I agree with the others who have queried the fabric used, I would prefer a softer more summery cotton. I almost never wear dresses but this one is tempting!
Mar 24, 2009, 03.05 PMby cmebd
I think its a cute little piece – great start for a “lady in waiting” style. With dughters starting to produce this will be helpful. Maybe the back can be adjusted somewhat.
Mar 24, 2009, 02.44 PMby AnnaWilliamson
this is really cute in theory (and on a fashion model shaped girl), but i don’t see it becoming a plus size without such drastic changes as to make it not in any way the same dress. curvy girls will just look fat in this dress – it completely robs us of the waistline that makes us so gorgeous!!
but all you skinny girls, go for it, it’ll look great on you!
Mar 24, 2009, 02.08 PMby myartificialsunshine
I absolutely don’t understand all the complaining about this dress! It’s super cute and actually is a flattering cut—evidently some people have been wearing super un-flattering clothes. The lines are modern, and yet to me there is something timeless about it.
Mar 24, 2009, 01.52 PMby jmfast
Perfect for moms-to-be.
Mar 24, 2009, 12.10 PMby HandyC
Ooh, not cute. I understand you wanted a crisp fabric to add definition to the pleats, but the shiny wool makes the arm scythes look bunchy and ill-fitting. It just looks rumpled. A fabric with a softer hand would have flowed over the body better and wouldn’t look like so tent-like.
For itty bitty girls, this might work in a Mary Quant/Twiggy sort of way. But anyone with a moderate chest will look like they are wearing a big sack, no matter how fitted the back is.
Mar 24, 2009, 11.53 AMby BeNew
The white ruffle on the bottom of the dress is great. I really think the feeling of “feminine” tuxedo is really creative! I would definitely try put the sash around the waist though. The LARGE, vibrant satin bows around the neck is just…not cute. Yay burda!
Mar 24, 2009, 11.52 AMby nepherym
This would be great for anybody without boobs. Victor is right… this would be a fat-tent for anybody NOT shaped like a bean pole.
Mar 24, 2009, 11.40 AMby fr8rain
I don’t think this design would be flattering on anyone either. Be comfy if you were pregnant.
Mar 24, 2009, 10.53 AMby jinxychan
I really love this. Beautiful, ladies! Thanks for another great dress for my closet!
Mar 24, 2009, 08.24 AMby ladybugs
This is a cute dress. I made a few last summer for by daughter but never thought of making myself one. I just love how it looks. Great job.
Mar 24, 2009, 04.34 AMby zora
On a first view I liked it but when I had a closer look, not so much. This dress obviously has some fit issues, the back looks weird, I’d have preferred a picture with a belt to the one with the sash and I don’t like the fabric – not at all. I think this would have looked much much better in a different fabric. And why such a depressing colour in spring?
Maybe you could start a series of how-to’s by taking all the bad fitting clothes back to the sewing room and showing us how to fit them properly?
Mar 24, 2009, 03.09 AMby hcbouma
I like it very much. simple and stylish. I like it even better than the Paola dress. Lucky I saved my silk for it.
Mar 23, 2009, 10.31 PMby scriptandserif
I like it, but it is just me or does the back fit the model a little funny? It’s almost as if she has a very muscular back or is hiding a pair of wings underneath…
Mar 23, 2009, 09.31 PMby Cam557
Modern and chic… I love it!
Mar 23, 2009, 06.22 PMby Auntchelle
I like this dress. I can see this being made in many different fabrics. I doubt it would suit a body shape with large breasts tho’. Whether you are a ‘regular’ size or plus size (me) if you have large boobs this will look like a maternity dress. I’ll hold my opinion on the Plus size version until that is released.
Mar 23, 2009, 05.53 PMby Arete
Guys!This is just great!I love the dress!Great style,very modern!
I think that it is a suitable pattern for big and small sizes.You can add sash or belt or use soft silk for flow effect.I will make this dress for myself for sure!
Mar 23, 2009, 04.06 PMby DitaVee
Disagree about this not being suitable for a plus size. It’s fitted at the back and with a belt under the bust and a pair of leggings, this would be great! A nice short fitted shrug would cover the arms if you wanted. it’s heading into winter here so I’m really looking forward to adding it to my own wardrobe.
Mar 23, 2009, 03.30 PMby nikkishell
I love this dress and can see me wearing it through winter with thick tights and a long sleeve tee underneath!
Mar 23, 2009, 02.58 PMby dianacirne
Love at first look! Can´t stop looking at this beautiful and simple dress! This is just my face!!!!
Mar 23, 2009, 02.15 PMby sewdelightful
I am a plus size and I think that this dress might work for me. The back is fitted so the front flows, and for me, it is my stomach I’d like to hide. With the fitted back, it’s not exactly a “tent”. As long as it isn’t made overly large, I think it could look nice made to the smallest size without it being tight :)