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From: Aussie sewer
Date: 07-19-2005, 03:08 AM (1 of 13)
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I saw an advertisement for a sewing course (for all grades) at our local technical college in Sydney. They said beginners please don't bring a Burda pattern, choose another type. This led me to thinking that they must be quite difficult to use. It has scared me off a little - any comments? Maree |
User: Aussie sewer
Member since: 06-02-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: Skye
Date: 07-19-2005, 04:27 AM (2 of 13)
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No they are not. In fact they actually tell you whether or not they are easy, intermediate or hard on the front of the pattern and in the pattern catalogue and their easy are very easy. In fact I like the style of alot of their patterns, however, the instructions can sometimes be sparse so having some sewing knowlege helps with the more difficult ones. Many years ago Burda patterns didn't have the seam allowances added so that was a nuisance. The other bonus is that they are usually multisized, and they seem to be drafted for my C cup "girls" so I dont have to do a full bust alteration when using Burda (or New Look for that matter). I would check out the credentials of the sewing teacher or ask why not Burda seems odd to me. My 2 cents worth Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-20-2005, 06:32 AM (3 of 13)
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I love Burda, they fit better than most other patterns. Burda does use different methods, maybe they want you to learn the basic ones first before anything else. I dunno. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: fronno
Date: 07-20-2005, 06:53 AM (4 of 13)
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I would check out the credentials of the sewing teacher or ask why not Burda seems odd to me. My 2 cents worth Skye Skye make this a 10 dollar thought!! With kind regards,
François |
User: fronno
Member since: 04-26-2004 Total posts: 79 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-20-2005, 05:34 PM (5 of 13)
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Skye said it.. The pattern instructions are somewhat sparse sometimes.. That is a GOOD reason for beginners not to bring that pattern to class to learn on.. How can you teach a beginner to use a pattern that has little or no instructions to learn???
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Magot
Date: 07-21-2005, 02:23 PM (6 of 13)
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I've just cut out a Burda pattern to amke a t shirt for myself - it had no seam allowance added and I can understand it would not be great with no experience. I'm still reading my way through the fairly minimalist instructions they give you and working out what they mean, but I'm fairly sure it will work OK. How used are you to sewing? love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: fronno
Date: 07-21-2005, 05:39 PM (7 of 13)
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How used are you to sewing? hello Magot, probably isn't it fair to say so, but I'm sewing for about 36 years, since I was 12. And the last 15 years as fashioner and owner of a line for childrens clothes and still sewing and still learning every day. 
With kind regards,
François |
User: fronno
Member since: 04-26-2004 Total posts: 79
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From: Magot
Date: 07-21-2005, 09:39 PM (8 of 13)
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hello Francois (can't get that cedilla) - I think I was asking Maree as she started the thread. I've been at this game some years myself and I'm still puzzling out the instructions - we are all still learning, that's why this site is so fab. I spent some time puzzling over which pattern pieces I needed from one of the magazine patterns - perhaps that was why they didn't like them - huge sheets of multiprinted paper can get confusing. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: Skye
Date: 07-22-2005, 12:19 AM (9 of 13)
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Maggot the Burda magazine patterns are different to the catalogue ones in that the patterns that come with the magazine you have to trace off and they do not have seam allowances however, the Burda patterns that you buy as per their catalogue are just like the other big 4 and have the seam allownace included, the other bonus is that they have several sizes = value for $.I agree you definately need some experience to sew the magazine ones as the instructions are scant. I still like the style and fit of Burda and I think that their pants patterns are pretty good too - I still have to alter but not as much as for others I have tried. Regarding sewing classes - I would think that the teacher is there to explain what is required and possibly the alternative techniques that might be applied to get a more professional finish - I often dont follow the instructions because I think that the finished article would shreek home made -for example bulky facings in knit T shirts Yuk! Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: Aussie sewer
Date: 07-22-2005, 04:25 AM (10 of 13)
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Sorry eveyrone I've been busy at work and didn't get back to the thread until today. I have sewn for a long time - started out about 10 or 12 on an old singer treadle machine making dolls clothes, but I've never been "top notch" and I am very rusty at the moment but enjoying learning more. My question with the Burda patterns was genuine - often in the past people have said they were too hard and not to bother. I've made an effort to ask people this week as I've bought a few patterns on sale and they all agreed (those few who had used them) that the fit is excellent. I did buy a Burda pattern and the sizing is form size 10 to 24 which is pretty amazing and good value. I don't think I'll go to that sewing class I was only really asking about the comment on Burda. I've started going to Bernina Club classes that my dealer runs once a month and that is good. I'll also sign up for some of their workshops as they come up. There's a zipper one in August that I'm enrolled in as zippers have been a bit of a sore point for me. Also I just need to get time to put more hours in at the sewing machine. It's really funny, I used to always avoid patterns with buttons as I hated buttonholes but my new sewing machine does the automatic ones so beautifully I can't wait to make something with buttons. Thanks for your advice. Aussie sewer 
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User: Aussie sewer
Member since: 06-02-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: Laurieb2851
Date: 07-25-2005, 03:35 AM (11 of 13)
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What I like best about Burda patterns are the beautiful up-to-date styles of clothing patterns. They used to not include seam allowances which really was a shame. There were many patterns then that I would have liked but didn't get. Now they include seam allowances and the patterns are multi-sized which is nice also. Laurie |
User: Laurieb2851
Member since: 03-08-2005 Total posts: 16 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 07-25-2005, 06:29 PM (12 of 13)
I love the burda patterns, I like the instructions too, I find the magazine instructions are sparse but the regular patterns have "normal instructions' to me 
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: Magot
Date: 07-26-2005, 03:05 AM (13 of 13)
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The rather sparse sewing instruction on my Burda t pattern have led me to have a somewhat spectacular cleavage - a little tweaking here and there and I am not showing the entire world my underwear. I think I know where I went wrong so can correct it next time! I think I'll try a more basic pattern shape today.... love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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