Fall in the south- time to wear sleeves until the afternoon. The seasonal transition wardrobe is a killer. You want to bring out all the sweaters, corduroy and wool ,but after rooting thru the bins for 10 minutes you are heat rashy and want a frosty. The closet is bursting with 2 competing seasons- duking it out like street gangs for prime space. Jets! Sharks! Paunchos! Its getting real in there.
So I’m looking at all 3/4 sleeve patterns with new interest as bridge builders. I love Burda envelope patterns. I’m too lazy for the magazine. It’s tooooo hard……
I always feel so proud of my Burdas- they used to scare me so much-
‘WHY IS THAT DART THERE???? PULL THE SLEEVE THRU THE FLANGING FOLD THING???? AARGH!!!!!’
Now I totally embrace them and it may be because Burda is German for ‘Tunic’ now in my mind.
First up is a dandy little number: 6863- I’ve been looking at this one for about a year- something about the dress version feels kind of maternity-ish. I was more drawn to the tunic. The tunic is unlined and has neck facings, the dress is fully lined. No midseason lined dress for South Carolina, thank you! It needed a little spark tho- the spark of a gaudy polyester border print!!! Why yes, don’t mind if I do!
This photo shoot was hampered by a bit of wind and overcast weather, but hey- this is the best we’ve had in quite a while!! I matched my print on the hem and the center panel is overlapped by the vented hem of said matched hem. Its really cute when it isn’t blowing away!
When I looked at the pictures I realized the fun little side darts on the tunic version really create a gnarly nip thing. Like I can’t do a princess seam or was distracted by the Dateline rerun I was watching about the lady who dismembered her husband and threw him off the pier in 3 pieces of matched Vuitton. I was horrified, yet impressed with her class.
Ready for number 2? Too bad- in for a penny, you know……
I shied away from this at first- smock and schmatta are but a lisp apart, you know? Also, elastic cuffs? Yech. Too kiddy for me. Also the neckline-self ties you leave open? Just make a V-neck if you want one. Self ties are hospital gown couture to me. Also-
elastic cuffs + self tie neck=
Evil clown suit. So what did I do? I made it in a polka dot. I’m not as clever as I don’t look sometimes.
I enjoyed sewing this- the weird little ‘x marks the bust’ dart business, the flowy waist. I did my usual adjustments- I set the front pleats in a more flattering way and took about 5 inches out of the back skirt bulk.
The sleeves I narrowed down to just a basic 3/4 sleeve and I added a bit of chain across the neckline- which went over my lollipop head without having to open it. Ready for a full length shot of this glorious and un-appreciated pattern? Too bad.
Damn flash.
photo credits: pattern review, little me, google images, icanhazcheezburger.com
Pretty Grievances 
Looking swish ma’am. X
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Why thank you!
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The first tunic needs some small shoulder pads to perk up that area since the shoulders look sort of wider than normal and can droop.They even look wide on the model.The second one is so very very nice! Love the chain! You look great in polka dots!
That clown photo…is that the scariest thing ever! Holy Crap!
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You are wise about the shoulder pads- I have 1 shoulder higher than the other and this sort of highlights it!
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Me too, so add a little extra to the low shoulder side and no one will know…you’ll be balanced…ok, maybe not BE balanced, but you will look like you are…ha ha
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I gave up trying to be balanced- I just keep moving and hope no one notices!
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Pattern enabler alert! That 6972 is calling my name! Where were you during the summer when I was pining for a flowy, boho, geriatric hippy peasant top? Well, better late than never. If history is any guide, it might take me until next summer to get around to making it! Thanks for the heads up. And I think the polka dots are da bomb!
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Add toddler styling and geriatric hippy is my total look!!!
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You sassy tunica-ed minx! Is it weird that when I see you in not animal print i am not sure who it is? 😉 Version One is fun and sassy but Version Two is fierce!
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I have a black linen with fez’d up cymbal monkeys I’m planning a jacket in with a cheetah sheath dress- it’s really quite tasteful!
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Nooooooo! I want that full-length shot. It looks great and definitely inspires me. Just today I saw a woman-much-younger-and-thinner-than-me wearing a long dress with a high waist like that. I felt sad because I cannot wear that look anymore. But you have revived me. Maybe I will give it try! Thanks.
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I think it’s all about the bulk of the fabric- Me thinks- I need less gathers over my gathered bits….
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Love the chain – it adds a bit of steampunkiness! I think you are totally set for transseasonal dressing with these two. Your lollipop head comment made me laugh btw. I am with you on the Burda patterns. Don’t get the mag fetish at all…
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I want to sew with fabric- not paper mache projects!!
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I like these patterns, although I usually shy away from Burda…don’t these come without seam allowances? Like, I have to WORK and add my own? **Gasp**
Aside from the wide shoulders on the first one (what IS up with that??) these look like great transitional pieces for the Carolinas, which is always a challenge! Enjoy them!
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The envelopes are great- all the crazy details- half the confused taping and swearing!
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Really love the 2nd one, the brown polka dot number. The colours are perfect on you. I too hate trying to trace Burdas, sometimes I just try to do something similar with patterns that I already have and just use them for an inspiration. Love the ready made patterns, though. Great for us larger sizes. Take care and happy Thanksgiving (It’s ours in Canada, not sure when yours is) take care.
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They are great inspiration, but you’re right- we can find similar big4 patterns in bigger sizes. Happy thanksgiving to you!
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I love BOTH of your tops! Pretty, clever and you look totally smart! 🙂
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Aw thanks! These really suit my work style- who can’t use more tops?
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You can’t go wrong with purple! it’s a law. Plus the border print is so nice, good job with all the construction bits and bobs. Now, I love the second pattern, right up my alley, and I’ve never even noticed it. TFS! (I really hate all the acronyms on the web. Just learned what this one means. Did you know pattern review has a list of them with definitions? I always think someone is cursing at me when I find them on my blog comments, but talk about smug…I used one 🙂 Hope the weather has been kind to you…
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We were lucky in our area- just annoying rain- my best friend was visiting and couldn’t get back to her home near Charleston- so we got a longer visit!
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‘Gnarly nip’ love it. Best sewing description ever.
I love the second top… I want the pattern now… is it possible to reach saturation point in pattern collection? When is too many pattern really too many patterns? Is there such a thing?
I love it when I get home from the beach and ask my husband ‘why didn’t you take a photo of my bum??’ which pre-blog would have horrified me if he had!
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Sometimes I cull the herd, but you need all that variety for spontaneous gaudy makes!
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One also needs a monster pattern stash to combat the monster fabric mountain!
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Yes!!
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Knew you’d understand. You have a very rational approach to hoarding… like me.
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It’s about adoption!
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Tunics for the win! And that smug smile… it made my day.
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We Fokine our tunics, don’t we!
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I like both tunic versions.I too like Burda envelope patterns though I don’t seem to make many.
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They are lovely to look at, but love to throw a weird dart at you now and again!
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They are lovely. I especially like the first one. I have a bit of a thing… no, a huge thing for paisley.
There must be something in the air I recently started thinking about tunics and ordered three patterns this week. No Burda though. Maybe someday.
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What did you order?
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Neue Mode 23347, Neue Mode 50797, and McCalls 7095. I actually don’t even like the McCall’s. I’m just buying it for the yoke because I wanted a yoke like that but I’m too lazy to draft my own.
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If the pattern sale is good enough- I’ll buy a pattern for less than a good yoke!
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Wow! You’ve really outdone yourself with these, especially that second one! Major 💖!! Now if only I needed more patterns….
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The struggle!
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those both look fantastic! definite pattern keepers. and I know what you mean about those Burda instructions – crazy.
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I’m very happy you’ve taken the bag off of your head and are smiling!
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I’m winging my photo shoots myself now!
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Ooh, these are lovely! I like what you did with that neckline on the second one, very nice. I can never get Burda patterns to fit me very well, all those darts turn me into a befuddled kittie, for sure, so I’m dead impressed!
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Nicely done with the border print placement. I’ll have to try that myself someday. Not with a Burda pattern though, they scare me!
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Well I am glad you did the tunics, not the dresses! Especially the first “maternity” – actually I was thinking – it comes in then flares out. Into pleats! WTF (and I never say that). The orange frock is not much better with a skirt drawn by a six year old. I like both these tops on you, but especially the dotty one – amazing fit, especially in the bosom area. Great work. Well done you!
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Thank you Ma’am- I do love chopping a dress off at the tunic length!
That strangely bubbling shape screamed fertile to me, too!
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Ahahahaha oh man, that last pic had me laughing out loud! Great transitional pieces!!
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Thank you- you can’t have too many tops!
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Honey, you are witty, funny, entertaining, but your pics are awful. Many pounds weight loss would make you feel and look so much better. I know, I lost 150lbs by low carbing. I am a sylph. look and feel absolutely gorgeous. Go on, go on, go on!
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Ah Liz- welcome. I am aware of my larger than waif sizing and believe that while we fatties are supposed to remain in our caves like unsightly trolls, when we venture out- to buy food (lots of it of course) and make the glorious thin people feel smug, our clothing should fit and be well made. That’s where I come in.
Congratulations on your weight loss- I’m sure you are perfectly happy now.
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Really love 6863…and that hat! Getting dressed here has also been confusing lately: it was 80 on Sunday and is currently 50. What the what?
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But by 4pm it’s too toasty! Aargh!!!
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