BurdaStyle 04/2018 - 108 Blouse

I like a lot of things in the April issue of BurdaStyle, but I always like to start things off with something easy.  This is #108, the ruffle sleeved blouse.  The magazine refers to view A and B, but the only difference is the fabric, which is kind of cheating a bit if you ask me!

http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/ruffle-sleeve-top-042018

No one can ever say I am an early adopter of trends, but it seems that eventually they grow on me, or perhaps just become unavoidable and wear me down!  Now it is the turn of ruffles although I'm really only dipping my toes as I left off the ruffles at the shoulder and the sleeve ones are quite subtle.  The instructions say to leave the edges of the ruffles raw, but I'm not quite ready to go that far yet so mine are finished with a narrow hem.

As you can see from the line drawing it is very boxy - in fact it is practically a square and when I went to sew the side seams I ended up sewing the front and back hems together instead - doh!! 

I thought the neckline bias facing would be difficult at the V, but the instructions have a really good  method and you just fold the ends at that point and clip after sewing. 

I cut the neckline at the smallest size and it still has a tendency to slip off the shoulder a bit so I will probably go back and add some shoulder stays to stop that so I'm not fussing with it when I wear it.

It is pretty quick and easy to make and I used a remnant of this soft cotton print so I think it will be great for the summer.  

I didn't intend for it to be worn with the skirt I made recently from the same fabric, but it works so I might use these pieces as a jumping off point for a mini summer wardrobe.

BurdaStyle 01/2018 - 121 Skirt

I completely overlooked this skirt (121) in the January 2018 issue of BurdaStyle, the magazine photo is completely uninspiring, although now that I have made it I can see that it would make a nice winter skirt - oh well, next year!

http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/winter-skirt-012018

It was only when browsing through my instagram feed that I came across a gorgeous skirt by Lone Star Couture - you can see it on her blog here -http://lonestarcouture.blogspot.hk/2018/03/my-easter-confection.html.  I didn't recognise the skirt pattern at all and had to go and dig out my magazine.

What I love about this pattern is that it has a full front, with the pleats stitched down to control the fullness at the waist and a plain aline back.  Now I know this isn't really groundbreaking, but I haven't come across it before.  Full skirts can be a bit...too full on my hips, although I love the look so this seems like a perfect solution.

Construction is very straightforward although I did get a bit confused putting in the pockets.  They are shaped so they go right up to the waist seam which is good as it keeps them in place.  I'm not sure I set them in the correct way.  Still, they work and look OK so that will do.  I'll see how much I use the pockets.  I know some people go mad for pockets and I admit they are good for posing in, but I don't think I'd ever put anything in them.  Without the pockets this will be even quicker and easier to sew and I can see a few of these in my summer wardrobe this year.  

So, don't be put off by Burda's magazine photo or the description of a winter skirt - this is a great basic pattern that will work in a variety of fabrics.

I'm wearing it here with Style Arc Madeleine ponte top