burda style: free sewing patterns on the web
burda, the german-based sewing pattern company is behind what i think is an extremely clever idea: FREE sewing patterns one can download off the web! open-source sewing!
no need to constantly strategically plan trips to one’s local fabric store, or shell out piles of cash for patterns if you don’t wanna…burda makes these select and stylishly modern patterns (and more) available via their burda style website. you simply download the pdf’s of the pattern, print them and the provided instructions, assemble the pattern as needed, and sew!
want to make it green, too? you could always use recycled fabric or linens from the local thrift store/charity shop or your closet as the source for the fabric for these fashionable frocks!
perfect for those of you out there who like to take fashion into your own hands…and not always leave it in the hands of major corporations.
i’m loving the marie skirt, myself (that’s the one second row down, second photo from left in the grid of photos shown above). it kind of reminds me of the peg skirt portion of the dress i made as one of my final garments while studying at parsons! i think it would be quite sassy (and more than a little sexy!) in a metallic (perhaps brightly colored?) lamè, perfect for hitting the town and probably pretty with one of my favored cocktail hats! i may have to swing by the discount fabrics later today and see what i can see. hmmm!!
(via nikkishell, of wardrobe refashion fame!)
July 12 2007 | Posted in check this out!, crafty cool., fashion musing, make it yourself!, this inspires me!
July 12 2007 at 1:13 pm
SWow–that skirt for your thesis is fantastic. Where did you find the gold linen? I am having a tough time finding lame in a natural fabric like linen or cotton I live in NYC–did you get it here?
July 12 2007 at 1:21 pm
tricias: i found the gold linen fabric at a place on w.40th street, half a block west of the parsons’s building on the opposite/south side of the street. for some reason, the name of the place escapes me! arg! but it’s big, big, big. it’s NOT paron fabrics or whatever…
http://www.fashioncenter.com/Mapzone2.html
that map seems to have it on there, perhaps it’s the one @ 218 w. 40? if not, it’s very, very close to there. it was over a year ago, so there’s no guarantee they’ll still have it, but check anyway, you never know.
they are sort of expensive but they have a TON of very nice fabric and it’s well organized.
man, i miss NYC…and the garment district is but one of many reasons why.
July 12 2007 at 2:38 pm
jenniferi heard that burda had free online patterns… i love that same skirt that you love, along with a few other garments in there (and a few i think i could alter to fit my fancy).
you know, after the whole searching for personal style conversation we had on this blog earlier in the week (last week?), i’ve been collecting inspiration of garments i love and looks that i love from flickr, and then creating a wishlist of items i think would be good (wearable, wonderful, lovable, beautiful) additions to my closet.
and then i went to my favorite secondhand shop and took some risks with clothing, and bought two dresses and a scarf! i’ll have to do some refashioning for both, but i’m really excited about the garments.
yay! so i guess that was a pretty inspiring discussion we had.
July 12 2007 at 2:40 pm
triciayay jennifer, so happy to hear that!
July 12 2007 at 4:45 pm
ashleyTricia,
THANK YOU! I almost bought a Simplicity pattern like the Burda Maria skirt you mentioned, but since I was at Hobby Lobby, $8 seemed like a lot (especially since Joann’s is having a 1.99 Simplicity pattern sale this weekend). I’m also loving the pink frock top in the upper left corner. This is a wonderful tidbit, and a bit more extra inspiration that I need.
Too bad I have barely enough for the dress I want to make, otherwise I’d be glad to part with some of my pink lame that I got on sale for $1.20 a yard last Christmas!
July 12 2007 at 6:15 pm
EileenI’ve made the Marie skirt and I love it! It was also extremely easy to make, only taking about 3 hours (including finding fabric from the stash and running about looking for a zipper)
July 12 2007 at 8:20 pm
SadieHey there! Loyal bitsandbobbins/pintuck lurker here…We share a love for vintage, vibrant colours and quirky items.
Just thought I’d pass along that I saw one of your pics on the decor8 blog this week.
Keep on keepin’ on!
PS: Go Burda!
July 12 2007 at 8:54 pm
triciasadie: hey, thanks! i knew about the decor8 thing…pretty cool! holly’s got herself a wonderful blog, so inspiring.
July 12 2007 at 9:30 pm
RebeccaThat’s awesome!
I have been really thinking recently about doing some sewing. I just have to disconnect myself from the keyboard long enough to do it. lol
July 13 2007 at 4:10 am
red_swirl/ginevraHehe! I keep seeing Marie in fake leather … unfortunately, I haven’t found a source of fake leather yet
July 13 2007 at 9:27 am
Free sewing patterns - yay! « Fashion Dummy[...] Jul 13th, 2007 by Fashion Dummy On doing my daily surf of different blogs, I came across this posting on Bits and Bobbins. “burda, the german-based sewing pattern company is behind what i think is an extremely clever idea: FREE sewing patterns one can download off the web! open-source sewing!” [...]
July 13 2007 at 6:46 pm
SusanYou always find the neatest links and coolest pics. I’m learning to sew and these Burda patterns are right up my alley. Thanks for that!
February 10 2008 at 5:29 pm
bits and bobbins » archives » haute picks from burdastyle.com[...] i’ve raved about burdastyle before, but i’ll blab on about it again, in the event you’re just joining me…as i’ve been taking a look at their site again recently. i’m totally grooving on it! burdastyle.com is a website created by the german-based sewing pattern company, burda, and it’s essentially a great open-source resource of super stylish sewing patterns, available for free via the web. said patterns are accompanied by how-tos, a bustling little community of fashionable makers who discuss making and altering clothing and such in the burdastyle forums, and a cool little blog that keeps the interested updated on associated contests, tips, and the latest pattern offerings on the site. you can use the patterns for your own use, and unbelievably, can also use some the patterns to make clothing to sell in small collections (hence the open-source description). armed with some semblance of sewing skill and flair for fabrics, i believe that a savvy fashionista could, in theory (and in practice!) cobble together a mighty fine wardrobe of completely au courant, on-trend clothing, without shelling out any cash for patterns. the only necessary items to attain said patterns? adhesive tape, a printer, and printer paper. genius! *** [...]
October 31 2008 at 5:02 am
irinaindiraBurda fashion is the best!