How to Assemble a Burda Style Pattern

 

This is a first for me - working with a Burda Pattern, but hopefully it won't be as difficult as it looks.  My daughter, Sarah, found a summer maxi dress on burdastyle.com and asked me if I would make it for her.  I love making clothes for Sarah, and thought it would be fun to tackle this Burda pattern.  I've always been game for trying new things and new challenges.  The pattern claims to be "Advanced" but we'll see how difficult it is once I dig in.

 

The first thing I did was take all of Sarah's measurements, then ...

 

I padded and adjusted my dress form to be her measurements.  I have a "Fabulous Fit" dress form.  I've had it for about 15 years.  I love it.  It doesn't fit me anymore, but it does work for Sarah's measurements.

 

We purchased some pretty fabric and so begins making this maxi dress.

 

I purchased the pattern at Burdastyle.com.

 

 

 

The Burda Pattern is for the Island Placket Dress - 04/2014 #121.

 

When you purchase a pattern from Burda, they send you a pdf file to print off on 8.5" x 11" printer paper.  In the case of this pattern, it was over 40 pages.  The pages will look like what you see above.  

 

Your goal is to piece them together like you see here.  Burda has actually made this process easy.  You will need Scotch tape and Scissors, or a rotary cutter.

 

Working from left to right, start matching the printer paper pattern together.  NOTE: Making sure the matching triangles are in line is NOT as important as making sure the pattern is aligned!!

 

When I put these two pieces together, the 5d matched up almost perfectly, as did the pattern.  This is not the case with every piece.  So, it's okay for the triangles to be off a little bit, but not the pattern.  Make sure you line up the curve, lines, etc. so the pattern looks seamless when taped together.

 

The first printed pattern piece no cutting is required.  The 2nd piece, you will cut off the left side, match it to the first pattern piece, and tape them together.  Continue until you have completed the first row of the pattern.  

 

The 2nd row will be much the same, only now you are cutting off the left side and the bottom.  

 

Tape them all together until you have completed the pattern layout.  Cut them out, tape as necessary, and you're ready to work with your Burda Pattern!

Now begins the hard part ... Next post will be on making the muslin test garment.  You NEVER want to cut into your fashion fabric until you know you have the perfect fit!  Believe me, I've done it.  It is a costly mistake.  Make the muslin test garment beforehand.  You won't regret it!

 

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