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Burda Magazine: 03-2009-101 (Tunic) thumbsup - Type:Dresses    printable version
Viewed 920 times 6 more reviews
Review rated Helpful by 6 people    Very Helpful by 12 people   
Reviewed by:cabinbaby
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About cabinbabystarstarstarstar
AK USA
Member since: 4/8/07
Reviews written: 140
Sewing skills:Intermediate
Favored by: 115 people
patterns reviewed: 138
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Posted on:5/8/09 1:12 AM
Last Updated:9/20/09 3:57 PM
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Pattern Info provided by cabinbaby

Pattern Rating:Highly Recommend
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09/20/2009 Update
I made the tunic length version out of purple wool challis my husband picked up at High Fashion Fabrics in Houston. He's a great fabric picker. This went together smoothly seeing as I have already worked my way through the construction once before. I changed it slightly by pressing the pleats down all the way to the hem. Wool challis, which I have never worked with before, is kind of an oddly-behaving fabric. It's lightweight with a looser weave but it has quite a bit of body too. It is certainly not a supple, drapey fabric like charmeuse or RPL. It reminds me more of a stretch sateen or a stretch poplin. Here's the front, back, front unbelted, back unbelted, details drawn on, and showing the amount of flare in the back. This is one of the patterns for my wardrobe contest entry.


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Pattern Description:
What an enchanting design! A brush-stroke print in black, blue and violet, and the casual cut, will certainly make you choose this light summer dress as your absolute favourite. A plunging V-neckline and extended dolman sleeves ensure comfort in hot weather. A self-fabric tie-belt can accentuate your waist if you wish.

Pattern Sizing:
36-44. I graded down to a size 34.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
It looks a lot like the model photo when it's tied and it looks a lot like the line drawing when it is not tied.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions were actually pretty clear. I understood the overlap mainly because I just made four versions of Jalie 2911 which has a similar neck treatment.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I wanted a loose dress to use with my silk. I loved the model photo the minute it came out and have been looking for the right fabric. This silk is perfect I think. There is nothing to dislike if you like this sort of loose shape. I don't normally go for loose, flowy dresses like this but I like this one.

Fabric Used:
This is a silk duppioni that my husband bought the last time he was in Houston. It's got red running from selvage to selvage (weft?) and blue running down the fabric (warp?). It's an irridescent fabric and ranges from a purple-y color (like in the picture) to a berry pink.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I did my standard 1/2" shoulder to bust adjustment. I shortened the hem by a couple of inches.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I'm not sure if I'll make it again. It's pretty distinctive. I do like it and recommend it to others. I think it'll be a great spring go-to-a-wedding dress. There seem to be a lot of weddings that pop up in the spring and summer.

Conclusion:
This is the first item for my spring 2009 mini-swap. I plan to make a jacket to go over this. We'll see though, I often can't plan ahead when it comes to coordinating collars.

Pictures
Front, another front, and back.

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Reader Comments
redroserach 5/8/09I was wondering about this pattern and you have tipped it toward the yes, the fabric looks great and the colour really suits you.
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peaudane 5/8/09This looks amazing! I love the choice of a casual pattern for a dressy fabric!
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Sew4Fun 5/8/09Beautiful! The perfect marriage of fabric, colour and style to make a very flattering dress for you.
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fuzzygalore 5/8/09Really cute! I wouldn't have though of such a crisp fabric for this pattern, but it works perfectly. Fabulous color, congratulate the husband..
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FreyaStark 5/8/09A really gorgeous dress. Well done.
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donna mel 5/8/09i never gave that one a second look in the magazine...'i love lucy' on the 4th of july just didn't work for me! yours is gorgeous!
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Lori V 5/8/09Gorgeous dress and fabric, you look wonderful.
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wendlesue 5/8/09Wow, that color! brilliant choice your husband made there!
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Elke 5/8/09Very pretty dress!
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Karen6790 5/8/09The man can buy fabric, and you know what to do with it when he brings it home. I call that a perfect combination. I also call this a much better result than that . . . object they showed in the magazine. I didn't even look at the line drawing. Bravo.
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eugenia123 5/8/09Stunning dress. It looks so elegant and beautifully made.
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michellep74 5/8/09Gorgeous dress!
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Mahogany Stylist 5/8/09Outstanding! Looking good, lady!
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Izzie 5/8/09Love it!
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SG1 5/8/09Awesome dress! Where does your husband buy fabric in Houston? High Fashion Fabrics, or someplace else?
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Cidell 5/8/09Beautiful color. I noticed this pattern too and couldn't figure out how it was so boxy in the line drawing but so adorable on the model. Now, you've gone and done it too!
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Annieq 5/8/09Excellent choice of fabric to pattern for a distinctive spring outfit. Kudos!
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chacha45 5/8/09Whew! Gorgeous!
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nellc 5/8/09Really lovely dress.
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KristenI 5/8/09What timing huh?! It's very pretty in dupioni, and looks great on you. Enjoy your dress.
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angie.a 5/8/09Really pretty Dawn! I totally missed this one.
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leanmeansewingmachine 5/8/09Great looking dress - love the color, it looks really nice on you!
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Sar 5/8/09Such a pretty dress! You've done a great job, it will be perfect for weddings or in winter with a short black jacket!
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Birgitte 5/8/09So stunning, you look so chic, fabulous!
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Patzee 5/9/09What a cute dress. It looks really good on you. Nice job!
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calminatrix 5/9/09awesome color, and i love love love the red and white print on ur blog. GORGEOUS! i can't wait to show this to my husband! ur dress is eally something!
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kerrynw 5/9/09Cute dress, beautiful colour!
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shaggy 5/9/09Smashing dress. Just beautiful. Keep that husband!
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gatorgirl4325 5/10/09Beautiful fabric - that dress is just perfect for it! LOVE your shoes too!!!
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CypGrl 5/27/09Missed this earlier. It is so pretty on your.
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CarolynGM 5/28/09Your husband has great taste in fabric. I love the pattern, and it works well in duppioni.
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AnneM 6/7/09Love that fabric! Nice dress also. Don't suppose your husband wants to get me some of that fabric next time he travels?
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Carolyn C 9/20/09Wowie-zowie! Triple crown there: 1)great interpretation of the design, 2)looks beautiful on you, and 3)your fabric-buying hubby is a keeper.
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FreyaStark 9/20/09A fabulous and distinctive tunic. The fabric's delicious.
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Karen6790 9/20/09The man knows how to pick some fabric. Beautiful.
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Elke 9/20/09Great looking tunic...the fabric is perfect for this design!
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CTBarb 9/21/09Love the print and the details.
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