Monday, February 2, 2009

I bit the bullet….

…. I bought my first Burda magazine!!

I have been in a sewing rut the last few weeks after project after project got tossed into the Abyss aka the Closet of No Return… the place that all the projects that I either fall out of love with somewhere in the production process or finish and try on, only to immediately pull off with my face all twisted up like something stinks!

Since there is no store we can return bad sewing projects too for refunds, they get tucked away never to be seen again...
So, me being me, I say to myself "...Self, maybe what you need is a greater challenge. Maybe something completely different that will make you feel like you're really doing something new…."

Enter Burda.
Although I have been looking at these magazines for a while now, this is the first issue that actually had enough individual pieces that made we want to fork over a 10'er and bring it home.

I love this dress!! And this top too…Part of the appeal is definitely the fabrications that they are using to make these pieces look so fresh and on point for this season…

From all that I've read, there is a pretty steep learning curve with these patterns so I'm sure I'll be reaching out to sewing blogiverse asking for answers and tips…


I think I'll start small and maybe go for this skirt… I made a BurdaStyle skirt earlier this year and used my skirt sloper to refit it… it work out pretty well….

This is the same pattern as the one above, but I'm loveing knee length right now...



Something else that has been tickling my fancy latest is… ((inhale))……((exhale))…

Quilting.

Once upon a time I looked a quilting as something my Nana (grandmother) would do in the back room, tucked up in her comfort chair, glasses perched at the edge of her nose, splitting time watching the needle and the soaps on the TV…

It just wasn't something that I was ever really interested in. I felt like it was so… 'Old timey' and shabby (BEFORE it was chic.)

But! since I started sewing again and opening up to more and more craft arts, I have seen some really fantastic creations that I would love to be able to try…

I found a few new sites this weekend that totally had me entranced….

Lazy Gal Quilting



A Stitch in Dye




Quilt While Your Ahead


I guess its really about seeing shapes and color combinations differently than I had previously given a chance.




Holla!

8 comments:

Antoinette said...

I must confess that I bought my first BWOF a few months ago... haven't traced a thing from it... but I won't buy another till I've used this one, I promise! LOL Quilting is AOK for me. Sometimes I'm in that zone. The Denyse Schmidt book is always a big inspiration for me. Can't wait to see what you put together next!

SEWING SHAY said...

Cool, you picked some nice garments. I am preparing to take a beginners quilting course. I am looking forward to your blog about your BWOF garments.

Tonya Ricucci said...

I'm glad to have inspired you. Now I want to see a quilt from you!

MsMica said...

Hi Ms. A!! I think I'm going to try and tackle that Burda skirt starting this weekend. I'm not going to stress myself out and try to get it all done quickly though... I think I'll concentrate on the pattern this weekend, and maybe sew it up next week, if all goes well.

Hey Shay... Did you see that the Sewing Meetup's next meeting is about working with Burda Patterns? I think it's for the 22nd of this month. I already RSVP's so I wouldn't get shut out of this one like I did last time. Maybe I'll see you there?

Hi again, Tonya!... I've already started digging through my scrap bag for leftover cuts that I might be able to do something with. But the very next item on the agenda is finding a good beginner quilting book to help me... if you have any suggestions, I would be most appreciative!

Thanks for visiting y'all!.... MsM

Anonymous said...

That "Love" quilt would be perfect for your baby!!

MsMica said...

HEY PENNY!!!! HHIIIII!!!!
As much as Love likes the 'fight' with any scrap of fabric and/or piece of paper left on the floor... I have completely sacrificed plenty a sarong to her... She and I would be BOXING like Tyson and Meriwether if she started tearing up a quilt I slaved over... a straight HEAVY WEIGHT MATCH!!

Anonymous said...

Firstly - we all make "wadders" - even when we've been sewing for YEARS!! Don't be embarrassed, save the fabric if you can, or send them off to a new home at the charity shops. (Remember that some charities shred cotton and wool for rags to sell, too!)

Secondly - the Burda WOF "sewing course" patterns in each issue are well worth trying first. Don't forget to add your seam allowances when you trace the patterns! And there are lots of helpful people participating in each month's Burda "Sew Along" topic over on the Pattern Review Message Boards.

I always hope that someone else will review the BWOF pattern I want t try first - been saved from some duds and found some gems that way!

All the best - and once you've sewn from Burda WOF, you'll want to at least try and get your hands on Patrones (Spanish) or perhaps Knip Mode (Dutch) or even Ottobre Woman (also available in English, like the Bura WOF - phew!)

Antoinette said...

My dear, there is a blog award for you at:
http://www.clevergirl.org/2009/03/119-sisterhood-award.html

xoxo