The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook.
15 creative projects and 5 master patterns
This section is sponsored by
Get a glimpse of the 10 step by step pattern variations and over 70 project interpretations.
"The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook" is a comprehensive guide to DIY sewing, from novice to beginner. In this video, discover the inspiration, history and mission behind it.
By Nora Abousteit
and Creative Director and co-author Alison Dahl Kelly.
Play
BurdaStyle member elegantmusings shows us how to alter the front skirt pattern piece on her pattern variation, as featured in the "BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook."
Play
BurdaStyle member elegantmusings shows us how to draft a pocket on her pattern variation, as featured in the "BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook."
Play
BurdaStyle member sunnilj9 shows us how to read fabric, as featured in the "BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook."
Play
BurdaStyle member sunnilj9 shows us how to read a sewing pattern, as featured in the "BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook."
Play
BurdaStyle member sunnilj9 shows us how to thread a sewing machine, as featured in the "BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook."
Play
BurdaStyle member elegantmusings shows us how to attach a patch pocket on her pattern variation, as featured in the "BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook."
Play
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For ebook customers, download your patterns as PDFs here, using a code found in your ebook. For hard copy customers, the 5 master patterns come fully printed with book purchase.
Add a Project Add a project based on a pattern from the Book.
See what everyone's been saying about The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook.
Pattern of the Week
This fitted jacket will keep you warm and stylish on those cool summer nights!
Retro Pattern
Dive back into 1956 with this stylish two in one pant suit pattern!
Member Project of the Week
Get inspired by printed floral bustier dress with flounce! It is so summery.
Editors' Pick
The style is cool and sporty beach wear that can be worn anywhere!
DIY to Try
Make yourself a lovely hair band this spring!
BurdaStyle is a DIY fashion and sewing community. Our aim is to bring the craft of sewing to a new generation of fashion designers, hobbyists, DIY'ers, and inspire fashion enthusiasts. We offer downloadable PDF sewing patterns, project ideas, tutorials and a community passionate about fashion. Press coverage on BurdaStyle can be found here.
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Nov 20, 2011, 11.57 AMby ladidoh
The book looks great – very exciting, well done :) Are there any plans for plus size patterns to be made available? I would love to buy the book but likely to put it off if there is too much pattern grading involved :(
Nov 19, 2011, 09.55 PMby giabelsi
Ordered it yesterday fro, Amazon. Can’t wait!
Nov 17, 2011, 01.49 AMby melyssa
Sweet I have been to the library to borrow others books which are a lot of fun…can’t wait to get my hands on this one!
Nov 16, 2011, 08.15 PMby mirela
I just got my copy in the mail today together with my coat. The book is great, I need to learn how to do alterations and really liked the ones presented. I have to say I would really like to see everyone’s sketches too, since it was a big secret we could not reveal, now that the book is out, I would love to see them. It would be great if BurdaStyle could post a slideshow with the sketches. I had hoped to see my coat on a model too, plus some details about all the contributors. Did BurdaStyle have any behind the scenes photos that did not make it in the book? It would be fun to share. I like the book a lot and thanks for the opportunity! I can’t wait for the weather to get cold enough to wear the coat :)
4 Replies
Nov 17, 2011, 01.23 AMby carottesauvage
So yes, it would be nice to present each creation as the project of the week- like Mena Trott’s today-, publishing those posts throughout the year. This way, each contributor would reveal the process, alteration, details etc…It will also keep the buzz going until the next book is published.
Nov 17, 2011, 02.06 AMby anajan
Hi guys! I just wanted to let you know that I pointed out the same thing on a yesterday’s BurdaStyle meeting. David is looking for a way to introduce all the contributors’ variations in details on the website – either as a photo gallery, or as an individual project that links to the book or as a project of the week, as Helene suggested. I’ll do my best to highlight the importance of this to the team, since I feel the same way about my blouse and my work as a contributor.
Nov 17, 2011, 07.02 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi Mirela,
Great suggestions! I think it would be wonderful to show some of the contributor sketches. I’ll look into how we could go about doing this.
Once all of the contributors have their garments (we’re still processing shipments), we hope to do more with featuring all of the amazing creations that were made.
Dec 21, 2011, 02.44 PMby gedwoods
I agree, sketches, sketches, sketches! We need more of these throughout the site as well as in the book!
Nov 16, 2011, 02.47 AMby Christianne DeHart
I have been a Burda fan for 30 years, at least. I am looking forward to viewing the alterations and change section.
Nov 12, 2011, 04.37 PMby mlssfshn
I hope to pick a copy up soon! Didn’t know about page 42! Thanks, for the mention!
Nov 9, 2011, 10.17 PMby gedwoods
Good luck with the book launch tomorrow! I’m envious of all those who can be present! (Someday soon I’m going to come to New York and surprise all the BurdaStyle folks!)
1 Reply
Nov 14, 2011, 12.09 PMby sew4my3
You need to let me know when you go so I can fly in at the same time. Maybe some of the other members would like to get together at the same time.
Nov 9, 2011, 03.48 PMby Megan Richards
Can’t wait to check this out! What great inspiration to see the incredible talent of BurdaStyle members brought together like this.
Nov 8, 2011, 08.32 PMby brisehuus
Will there be a German version one day?
1 Reply
Nov 17, 2011, 08.41 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi brisehuus,
The book will be available internationally on January 2012, but international members can still purchase it through U.S. retailers. Unfortunately, a German-language version is not available at this time.
Nov 8, 2011, 05.05 AMby Joanne alcindor
Hello, will the European version have metric measurements?
1 Reply
Nov 17, 2011, 08.35 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi Joanne,
Unfortunately, the international book version will not contain metric measurements. I apologize for this inconvenience.
Nov 6, 2011, 09.48 PMby nouvellegamine
i just had a chance to look at it in a bookstore. really fun & i love the patterns, esp the coat pattern- lovely! i’m putting it on my christmas wish list!
Nov 5, 2011, 10.19 PMby sewnknitmom
I just got this book yesterday. I am so excited to start sewing the patterns!
Nov 5, 2011, 04.31 PMby fauxstepfordwife
I just got the book. The projects look great! I’m excited to start doing them. Are patterns available here on the website for the member variations?
Nov 5, 2011, 01.34 AMby jaims
Too bad all of the patterns stop at 46…
Nov 3, 2011, 09.35 AMby Ruth Brown
Bought a copy at Barnes & Noble yesterday. Love it!
1 Reply
Nov 5, 2011, 11.26 AMby Ruth Brown
I am really enjoying the book. My only beef is that there is no pattern for or chapter on pants.
Nov 2, 2011, 08.52 PMby amandala
What sizes will the patterns come in?
1 Reply
Nov 17, 2011, 07.29 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi Amanda,
The sizes are 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, and 46.
Nov 2, 2011, 12.53 AMby sewtessuti
Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! It looks fabulous
Nov 1, 2011, 07.10 PMby Delphine C.
I just got it in the mail, I can’t wait to see some more details about the members projects !!
Oct 23, 2011, 03.33 PMby katesy
yummy, can’t wait!!!
Oct 22, 2011, 11.14 AMby hdiamond
It looks awesome!
I’d like to add a suggestion for this book and perhaps future patterns: don’t forget us kinesthetic learners! I find pictures easier to follow than lines and lines of instructions. I’m not stupid honest, it’s just I learn and understand better by doing than reading, for example in the Ehren jacket pattern it said to “stitch the upper collar accordingly” with no further reference to what or how. I had to wrack my brain for a while before I gave up and just fiddled about with the pattern pieces – then I got it.
2 Replies
Oct 22, 2011, 08.44 PMby nouvellegamine
me too, that’s one of the things i love about japanese pattern books. i can’t read the instructions, but i can still figure out how to sew an item :)
Nov 1, 2011, 09.08 PMby cur-jargon
me too :)
Oct 21, 2011, 12.56 PMby squirrellypoo
This is so exciting! The preview is the first time I’ve peeped my dress on a model! :D Thanks for the book badges, too – I’ve been wanting one to fit in my sidebar ever since the old-school version went offline, so it’s now on my site already!
Oct 21, 2011, 11.56 AMby sibeli
So exciting!! I wish I could come to New York to meet everybody who made this book happen! Good luck with the launch and thanks to the burdastyle team for such a great opportunity :-)
Oct 19, 2011, 06.50 PMby janul
Oh, I like the coat and skirt pattern a lot… looks like a great book!
Oct 19, 2011, 06.20 AMby luxihere
Oh i am so excited! Best wishes for the launch, though i can’t be there in person as i live in India.
Can’t wait to get my hands on the book! waiting for my contributor copy!
Oct 19, 2011, 03.36 AMby sandrasews
Beautiful. I can’t believe it’s finally going to launch. Can’t wait to try out all the patterns.
Oct 18, 2011, 09.51 PMby miasu
How much will the Ebook cost? Also, what if I want a hard copy of the book, but would rather have the patterns in PDF? Can the patterns be available for purchase alone or codes included in the hard copy as well?
1 Reply
Oct 19, 2011, 12.22 PMby rachelnyc
Hi miasu,
We’ll be linking to ebook pre order as soon as it’s available. The hard copy does not include the code for the patterns since it comes with printed patterns. The PDF patterns above are only retrievable by the code found in the ebook.
-Rachel @ BurdaStyle
Oct 18, 2011, 07.57 PMby denise2003
I don’t see any hint of sizes here. How will we know if the patterns are appropriate for us?
1 Reply
Oct 20, 2011, 12.27 PMby rachelnyc
Hi denise2003,
Great question, we’ll update that shortly. The sizes are 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, and 46.
-Rachel @ BurdaStyle
Oct 18, 2011, 07.07 PMby suribabe
I want one too.. I’m looking forward to this.. Will this be available in the UK?
1 Reply
Oct 18, 2011, 07.48 PMby suribabe
Never mind.. Looked at Amazon UK an can pre-order it… :o)
Oct 18, 2011, 05.53 PMby gray
Simply… want!
Oct 18, 2011, 05.42 PMby jadedwish
I am so excited for you all at BurdaStyle. I am curious what the size range are for the patterns.
1 Reply
Nov 4, 2011, 02.21 PMby sew4my3