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Wednesday 23 May 2012

Burda Style 03/2012 - 108 Twist Maxi Dress

Technically the long version of this pattern was for a wedding dress, but I thought it would make a good holiday maxi dress made up in a cotton print.

Burda Style magazine 03/2012 - 108C

Continuing (unintentionally) on my animal print theme this is made from a purple and black cotton print.  The bodice is self lined - one thing I didn't like about the construction is that you line the bodice and then put facings on top, I suppose this helps stop the facings showing through on fine fabrics, but it would look neater on the inside if the facing and lining piece were combined.






This dress was the illustrated sewing course for a month which makes it pretty easy to make, even if you have not made a twist top or dress before.  The problem was the pattern came in tall sizes (5ft 9) whereas I am a average-ish 5ft 6 so the pattern needed shortening.  Now you can do this the proper way and take out length in the bodice and skirt or you can do it the cheater way as I did and just take a huge seam allowance at the shoulder and chop a good 12 inches off the hem.  This did end up with the neckline being not too low, but also took the above waist seam towards empire line territory which is not the best look for me.

The Selfish Seamstress made a fabulous version of this dress without altering the bodice at all so if you can get away with that then your waist seam will be in a more flattering place I think.  On me however the neckline was too low and too open and at this stage in the construction the only possible fix was to take up the shoulder seams.

The problem with the now empire seam is that you do get an excess of fabric from the twist right where you don't really want it.  Even my dressform which has flatter than humanly possible abs has a bit of a tummy in this dress.  For some occasions - like lazing about on holiday - this is fine, for others - say a wedding - well then you might want to do your alterations properly.











31 comments:

  1. This looks so lovely on you.What an excellent informal version of Burda's wedding dress!

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  2. I was tempted by this dress, but then decided I was too lazy to attempt the alterations!
    It looks just about perfect poolside on you though! Any little niggles really don't show. But, I do agree with you that if an average sized woman wanted to use this pattern for a formal event, she would have to be more serious about the alterations.
    Sometimes, it seems like all the best Burda patterns are for petites, talls, or plus sizes!

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  3. Me gusta mucho como te ha quedado el vestido. Por cierto, se parece mucho al verde que te hiciste hace poco,verdad?.

    Besitos

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  4. what a beautiful dress!
    It looks pretty good on location, too.

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  5. The dress looks wonderful!

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  6. LOVE LOVE LOVE your version of the dress! You're genious!!!

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  7. That dress is lovely on you!

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  8. That looks lovely on you. Thank you for the words of warning. I'm planning to try this pattern, and think you've saved me a lot of time!

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  9. Oh my gosh I love that, now I really want to try it. Looks perfect for a vacation maxi dress.

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  10. beautiful, I love it looks on you

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  11. Your version is really pretty! I like the fabric you used, and how it fits. I finished mine some days ago and there was no need for adjustment in the bodice either!

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  12. Love it! I made a short version earlier this year and did the same thing - I took out all the extra length in the shoulder seams, and I agree - having the facing outside of the lining seemed messy and odd to me as well. But your version is fabulous, and now I *really* want to make another one in a lovely cotton print like yours!

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  13. Hi! You have a little blog award in my blog that i have given to sewing blogs that I love! Congratulaions!
    http://miprimeramaquinadecoser.blogspot.com.es/

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  14. You have made a beautiful dress which you wear very well! At 5'2", you've talked me out of trying this pattern which I appreciate too :)

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  15. I love this. I've been searching for inspiration for a maxi dress for a piece of fabric that I was gifted and haven't been inspired...until now. I think I may have to give this a go!

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  16. You have reminded me that I really want to make this dress--it's so fab on you. A great twist on the maxi dress (har har) that is not just an elongated tank top.

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  17. Great choice of pattern for a maxi summer dress. Looks very nice on you.

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  18. The dress is perfect for holiday which I hope you are really enjoying!

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  19. You look great. The dress is very flattering.

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  20. Yet another beautiful dress.

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  21. The dress looks great. If you figure out how to raise the neckline let me know!

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  22. I love this dress! Great fabric choice. I really liked this style when I saw it in the magazine, but going from tall to petite would involve significant alterations, so I never attempted it. Love your version!

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  23. Perfect summer dress. I have seen so many maxi dresses this season but have been on the fence. Your lovely creation has convinced me that I need one!

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  24. The dress looks very beautiful on you! I was looking for a pattern for a maxi summer dress, and maybe this could be the one for me too...

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  25. I really like your version of this dress. Very pretty.

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  26. You look stunning in this dress! Beautiful work!

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