I haven't done a giveaway before, partly because I'm a hoarder and partly because those blogs that used to have interesting content about the writer and their life but now are all just giveaways and sponsored reviews annoy me and I never want my blog to get like that. Oh ok, it's mostly because I am a hoarder and usually can't bear to get rid of anything.....
Since I'm still basking in the happiness that are my newly finished red pants, and the surprise that a pair of pants could just be one of my favourite sewn garments, I'd like you to leave a comment telling me what the best thing is you've sewn. If you've already got the May issue please feel free to leave a comment anyway sharing your fave.
I'll post the issue anywhere, so it's open to all - the more the merrier. Leave me a comment before midnight Sunday 1 July, and I'll do an old fashioned, random pull a name out of a hat draw on Monday.
Thank you all for your lovely comments on the red pants from the last post - as I said above they are fast becoming a favourite garment in my wardrobe. I've worn them a few times, and even bought a pair of leopard print ballet shoes to wear with them! The only problem is that the fabric stretches with wear, so by the end of the day they are about a size too big so I do need to wash after each wear just to shrink them back to normal, which is a bit annoying.
My July issue arrived in today's mail too - those Burda style people are efficient aren't they? So now I must really get on with making the skirts from April and May issue, so I can do the jacket from the June issue so I can make something from the July issue to keep to my self set challenge! SarahP I wish I could say I've finished with the nappy sewing, but I've only replaced the elastic on about half of them, so still have about 10 to go - it's just soooo boring!
I already have this issue and think that it is the best one of the year so far (for me). In all the other 2012 issues there is virtually nothing I want to sew - but May had lots that I want to make. I've made two versions of the simple cowl-neck t-shirt so far and have a third cut out. I hope whoever wins this likes it as much as I do. (Obviously, I'm not entering the giveaway.)
ReplyDeleteWell, thanks for the giveaway. (And I'm glad you don't intend to turn your blog into a giveaway/sponsored review free-for-all!) My favorite thing that I've made was a little red taffeta party dress I made for a Christmas semi-formal party. It's the most complicated thing I've ever made, but it was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteSo far, the best thing I've sewn is a gray tropical weight wool dress suit. The jacket is a fully lined Vogue pattern and the dress is my TNT. I intend to make another suit for a semi-formal event. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be in the running to win this issue if you're willing to ship it to the US! :) The best thing I've sewn so far is probably a red sequined circus ringleader jacket - it was made for a friend's Halloween costume. I always tend to sew better when I'm not making the garment for myself!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristy,
ReplyDeleteI am a long time reader of your blog. You have the cutest kids and your sewing projects are inspiring.
I recently made myself a bag that I can't seem to get enough of, in a red linen thrifted from a second hand dress with black piping.
I know what you mean about blogs and advertising. Off to Paunet's blog to read her review..
Njeri
cutekipepeo@gmail.com
I would love to be included in the giveaway. I've let my subscription lapse, but I can see a few things I'd sew in the May issue. Thank you for being so generous! Oh, and I love your style - it's very similar to mine, and we have very similar body types as well. I recently also sewed a pair of red pants, and then bought leopard ballet flats to wear with them. I love my red pants, but hubby doesn't, and always gives me a 'look' when I wear them, but that's OK. I wear them anyway!
ReplyDeleteThanks foe the giveaway! I have never tried a Burda magazine pattern. They do not carry the magazine where I live. I love to hear the stories about your very cute kids and I love that you sew them such nice outfits.
ReplyDeleteJulie
It's probably a toss-up. When I'd only been sewing a few years, and mostly children's clothes, I had a nice party invitation and zero money. I bought a Vogue pattern designed by Galitizine and some inexpensive green brocade fabric. The skirt and shell were fairly straight-forward. The jacket collar stymied me. I remember calling my mother and reading the directions out loud. Once I'd done that the penny dropped. Taught me a valuable lesson and you will still hear me read them out loud occasionally. The outfit turned out well considering my lack of skills!
ReplyDeleteI subscribed briefly, but I let my subscription go because I think that the Burda patterns are bit advanced for me. In any case, please throw my name in the hat if you're shipping over the pond. Some of those patterns are really nice & might be the incentive I need to push my sewing skills beyond my comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteI too had a subcription to Burda that I let go about a year ago. I sometimes miss the little piece of happiness that would show up in my mailbox each month (it was like a gift from a friend that really knows me LOL). I made a simple knit cowl neck top (think it was a McCall's pattern), it's so easy to wear I grab it all the time.
ReplyDeleteI made a beautiful red crepe cotton cocktail baby doll dress with lace bodice from a pattern I borrowed from a friend in about 1990?? I still have the pattern actually. I loved it and I got plenty of complements for it. I tried for weeks to get red lace and couldn't believe I could get it in every colour except one of the primary colours. I got the red crepe cotton from the designer place I still go to for their sell offs and it was a remnant for $2. What made it sweeter was my sister bought a dress nearly identical (mine had a round neck and hers had a v neck) in a gold synthetic that she paid a bomb for (over $200) and when we wore our dresses to a wedding someone commented how beautiful our dresses were and did we buy them at the same place! I'd love a Burda to call my own - thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway! I try to keep it light on the giveaway front too - for the same reasons. Particularly that hoarder one. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I can pin down just one favorite thing, although I do have red pants that I love and wear at least weekly.
Wow, I like the pics of Burda mags for inspiration, there are way too many lines to trace for the actual pattern. I usually recreate my version of the pattern using my Wildginger pattern software. Love to have this edition though. Not sure about best thing I've made, but very close to the top would be my wedding gown! Pics are posted on my August 7, 2009 blog post. www.dressed2atee.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI haven't subscribed to Burda but always pick it up when I find it on a newsstand (which is practically never). I think I did some of my best sewing before I knew very much - I just fearlessly put things together in whatever way I thought would work! Now I have a tendency to get paralyzed by the desire to get it "right" - I'm trying to get past that by just digging into my stash and sewing things quickly. This month, I made a Sorbetto top which I really like, and I sewed a dress for my teenage daughter which she immediately rejected. :-)
ReplyDeleteI commend you for thinking of content over giveaways in your blog. I know what you mean about that in some of the sewing blogs. I read yours and others because of the ideas shared...well and those cute kid photos too, even if I will never meet you in person. In the 70's I made a long, of course, dress that had a pieced yoke. The fabric was kettle cloth and had a border print. I got creative with fussy cutting and used that border print to really add interest to the yoke at the neck. So it is between that dress and a Gunne Sax dress I made for my daughter not too many years later. Would be fun to see the Burda Magazine, have to admit I have never looked at one.
ReplyDeleteI thinkmthat I've done pretty well making dresses for little girls. My nieces keep me busy and I love it because the dresses either fit or they don't because I've made them a little to big - perfect for them to grow into. Totally unlike most things I've made for myself - I think I have a lot more lumps and bumps compared to the patterns I'm trying to make up! ;)
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the giveaway! I occasionally by Burdas from a little deli by my house, but I haven't in a while. I really like the skirt patterns in this May issue though. My favorite thing I ever made is a sheath dress I made a while back. It was the first fitted non-knit garment that fit me!
ReplyDeleteIf you ship to America, please enter me in the giveaway! My favorite garment right now is a cool, blue sundress that I made by combining patterns. I love that the skirt is gathered, and it is so cool to walk in around Ohio. Also, the knee-length is so flattering. I love sewing!
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I've ever sewn was a christening gown I made for my daughter who will be turning seven next month. I should probably make something fancy for myself so I can update my best-thing-sewn resume.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for a couple of months now and I'm crazy-impressed at how much sewing you manage to get through with two small children. Brava, Mamma!! And congrats on the new baby!
Oh, that duplicate thing happens to me too. I'd love to take the extra copy off your hands.
DeleteThe best thing I ever sewed was a Prom gown for my 17year old daughter. We saw a much-too-expensive dress in a bridal shop and drew a piture of the design lines. I then franken-patterened and self drafted a copy and sewed it up in her favorite color (raspberry-burgundy), much better than the pastel lilac in the shop. The neck line was beaded front and back in a pattern mimicking wysteria blossoms. She looked beautiful and felt comfortable. I made FOUR muslins before the design and fit were right. Worth every minute!
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy of May's BurdaStyle. Thanks for the offer, regardless of the winner.
I love to lurk and see the pictures of your beautiful family.
Beckyc
thanks for the giveaway! I would love to try some garment sewing again, all I've been sewing is costumes and quilts. The best thing I've ever sewn is a costume, for the kids from a different class in my daughter's recent dance recital. It was a little lion hood and vest, and I was working with material given to me and no pattern. I cut the hoods on the bias which allowed me to use a woven and still have them be snug. they turned out awesome and did not fall off the kids heads!
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks like this Burda Style has at least two items I'd love to sew, the shorter skirt (probably without that weird horizontal seam ...), and the blouse looks pretty awesome, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering this as a giveaway - and I share your sentiments, the hoarding as well as the slight bore I feel when seeing the over-use of give aways these days :D
What a tough question! I've had a few wins this year with Cynthia Rowley's Simplicity 2406 made up using gorgeous Milly fabric. I think the two jackets I've sewn have been very fulfilling personally because they have so many different components to the project. That said, the two dresses I made using Japanese cottons always get me lots of nice comments which is always a lovely feeling.
ReplyDeleteI completely share your feelings regarding great blogs that turn annoying after they go commercial.
The best thing I have ever made was a version of simplicity 3503. I have actually made 3 versions but my favorite is my pink version. It fits perfectly and is so very comfortable!!
ReplyDeleteThe best thing that I've ever sewn was my daughter's wedding gown. It is strapless, made of Alecon lace and bridal satin with Sawarski crystals and pearls on the lace skirt.
ReplyDeleteOoh me please! The best thing I ever sewed was at least 20 years ago. It was a sapphire blue woollen winter coat for my 7 year old daughter, made from a now out of print Vogue pattern. It had a deep pleat in the back and a hood. I lined the coat with regular lining but used a soft printed viyella in the hood. My daughter wore it until it couldn't be buttoned up, then passed it onto her cousin. Her Mum passed it onto a very sick little girl who couldn't keep warm even in midsummer and she loved it until the end of her little life. I often look at my gorgeous great nieces and think maybe I should make a new coat for the next generation. But it wouldn't be the same. I've made lots of stuff since, but nothing that has been loved like that garment.
ReplyDeleteThe best piece of clothing I've done are some pants I made for my second son. I used a bargain tan denim weave from Walmart (back when they had more than just pre-cuts). I can't remember which pattern I used, but I made some major modifications. I used a size to fit my son's hips, and lengthened the rise and pant length. The front had decorative stitching to look like it had a zipper and pockets. I changed the front to be ungathered, added a zipper, and gave it real pockets. 3 of my boys got to wear these pants, and it has held up well except for the stains.
ReplyDeleteI really want to make something for *me* that I love just as much!
I would love to win the Burda magazine - I have never had a chance to even thumb through one. To have one as my own would be a special treat!
The best thing I've sewn was my daughter's year 12 formal dress. She attended a very fancy Sydney school and my daughter stood out in her purple silk chiffon with the intricately hand pleated bodice. Unlike the other girls her dress cost only hundreds of mother loving hours, not hundreds of dollars.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite make so far is a recent one - moleskin pants. They fit properly (yay!), they feature the best fly front I have executed to date and the moleskin means they are toasty warm. Yes, I would love to win a Burda magazine.
ReplyDeleteHmmm hard to decide, I made a grey white and green stiped dress from a 1950 sundress pattern, I made my own piping to out around the armholes and neckline, fully lined it and did a fancy thing on the lining hem that peeks through, it's a delight to wear fits well and gets lots of comments, however I'm 27 weeks pregnant with a much longed for 3rd child so the dress is on loan to someone who will be able to love it, I figure itlll be a long time before my girth and breastfeeding boobs fit back into it.... Hopefully they will sometime in the next 2 years.
ReplyDeleteI also made a Chong Sam top with a traditional brocade covered buttons and mandarin collar my only problem was its a little short for my long body. Sad
I'd love to give Burda a go... I've been getting ottobre kids for a year or so now and I'm starting to think about making something for my self, instead of the kids.
ReplyDeleteThe best-favourite thing I've made so far would be our hats, my kids have such large heads from their Dad that I was able to make my 2 year old a hat with the same pattern that fitted me!
My favourite so far is the red Burda skirt I made recently. Like your red pants, I've been surprised just how much I can pair with it. I'm even thinking of making red pants soon, too, after seeing yours
ReplyDeleteIt's tricky to pin my favourite down to just one thing - the extremely plain zip fronted black cardigan I'm wearing right now would have to be close second fave based on frequency of wearing. That being said, I made a rather vibrant (possibly lairy) coloured raincoat earlier in the year and it makes me giggle to wear it amongst all the other grey and black coats now that winter has started. Lovely idea to turn the the German efficiency into a generous giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I think my favorite thing ever that I've sewn was a beautiful dupioni silk dress with silk organza bodice overlay and neck halter ties, for my daughter. It is white with a light blue beaded trim at the empire waistline. She looked beautiful in it!
ReplyDeleteSo awesome that you love your pants. They do look nice on you.
Thanks for the chance to win the magazine. I gave up my subscription, but I am somewhat remorseful ...
I'm the same, I don't like seeing too many sponsored posts etc. but I'm having a Stuck on You kids labels giveaway at www.allthingsmum.blogspot.com so check it out!
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I've sewn is probably the Amy Butler Sling bag. I love the pattern and have given both my bags to my sisters.
My favorite is a dress i made by sewing a denim panel to a store-bought blouse. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I've sewn is a multi-coloured satin halter dress I made for my little sister to wear to a party. I drafted the pattern myself and was very proud of it because it was my first time working with satin and my first time installing an invisible zipper.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen inside a Burda mag so I would love this. Oh nappy sewing I can't imagine loving that :-)
ReplyDeleteI feel the nappy pain ... mine have adjustable leg elastics = 30 snaps per nappy. Awful!
ReplyDeleteMy fav thing I have made so far have to be a recently finished pair of high waisted work pants. The fit came out awesome, there will be more in my future.
Well, I've never won anything and I have been wanting to tell you how much I enjoy your blog and am jealous you have a girl to sew for--I have 3 sons. I used to say small, medium, large but they are all large now. I would drool over all the cute girl clothes and pine away at the patterns until it dawned on me I could sew girls clothes! I just "borrowed" an adorable little girl at church whose mom I adored and just went to town. For about 3 years, she was the best dressed little girl in our church. My favorite was a natural color kettle cloth Laura Ashley dress with a sailors collar and tie with navy blue checked trim and piping with matching bloomers and sailor-type cap. A-dor-a-ble! I probably made her about 50 dresses--smocked, french sewn, appliqued, you name it but that was my all time favorite. I'm starting to sew for my grand neices so love the inspiration you provide--thanks a million!
ReplyDeleteBurda patterns are always so good with their detailing.
ReplyDeleteOh, I would love the May issue. I JUST subscribed to Burda, so this would be a nice beginning. I think my favorite garment I've made would be a sundress for my daughter that I just finished. I finally got the courage to start altering patterns and did a SBA. It fits her so well, and since RTW never fits her correctly, I am so proud! I've now got the confidence to realize that patterns are a guide, not a Bible. My mother taught me to sew, but she NEVER ever altered a pattern, so this is a new and welcome experience. My sweet mother would make things for me but too many times they didn't fit well at all because of my long-waist.
ReplyDeleteHard to say what the best thing was that I've ever sewn, because each thing brings me to a better stage in my development, one garment at a time. So really, the best thing I've ever sewn is the thing I just finished sewing, at least until I move on to the next one. Now I'm off to read your post about the red pants - I must have missed that one somehow!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite garment that I made is a white bias cut blouse made from a bamboo rayon. I agree that it would be annoying to have to wash my pants after every wearing, I like to go about three days before washing my pants lol.
ReplyDeleteI gave up my Burda subscription when I had to give up work, occasionaly I see one that makes me wish I hadn't, like this one.
ReplyDeletelinda in Melb.
Thank you so much for mentioning me! I have lots of fun reviewing Burda! :)
ReplyDeleteWow just one. I'm 53, there have been so many. I guess my daughters wedding dress.
ReplyDeleteI haven't sewn a lot of things but I've only just started sewing. I've almost finished a pair of Simplicity 3688 trousers which are going to be gorgeous. I just need to get the motivation to hand stitch the waist band and the hems.
ReplyDeleteYay, sign me up for the giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI'm a beginner sewist, so the best thing I've sewn is the first thing I completed and can wear - an apron. :-) Thanks for doing this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteOwwww, hard to choose which item is my favorite; hmmm, I suppose that the most recent item that I've made for myself is the last mole skin print jumper I made... it's soo soft and comfy and fits so nice that I'm thinking why not make another... I'm sure that I can find a pretty cord to make it out of. Isn't it great how you find something like that that can just tickle you cause you can say... yep I made it! Sure can wow people sometimes... Funny how people just don't think anyone sews any more!
ReplyDeleteHurry up and get those nappies done... There is fun sewing waiting for you!
My favourite garment I have made is Sofie's formal dress with sequin bodice and chiffon skirt. Unfortunately it has only been worn once.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win. I usually buy the May issue, but every year I have to remember to go to the newsagent in August(ish) to get it. Getting hold of it less than 3 months after it came out would be great!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been sewing long, but the best thing I've sewn so far is a dress that fits me perfectly. It is light for the summer, sleeveless and fitted in the bodice with a loose skirt. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I've sewn so far is a blouse # 128 from the 9/2011 Burda Style magazine. No alterations needed, it fit just perfect. I'm a beginner and this pattern was fairly easy.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree on not wanting to turn into a giveaway clearinghouse. I also hear you on the hoarding thing. I just picked up more fabric because it was free. Sight unseen. No clue what I'm going to do with it, but you never know! I haven't had a chance to check out the Burda magazine yet, so crossing my fingers, hehe.
ReplyDeleteMy latest and the best by far that I've sewn is a Burda dress for my daughter - the collar was perfect. She even said she wants me to sew more - so that means she loves it!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Sharon
I let my subscription to Burda lapse a little over a year ago. Thanks for an opportunity to get reacquainted! Mary mdeeter at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I ever made was a Blue Indian style outfit (salwar-kameez which is tunic and pants)when I was still living in India. The color was gorgeous on me and I was practically glowing every time I wore. Unfortunately after a couple of wearings and quick washes and drying it in shade, I once ended up hanging it in the sun and it faded out!! :( I'm still miffed! But I do have a nice picture of that outfit and I feel proud every time I see it.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win a copy of Burda 05/12 issue - there's a cute cowl neck top I'd love to sew from that issue. And a couple of gorgeous dresses.
misskayosis AT gmail DOT com
Back in 1986 I made a beautiful sundress that had a low cut square back, crisscross straps and a very full gathered skirt. The McCall's pattern is somewhere in my stash.
ReplyDeleteI remember the sewing was tedious because it was the first project that I underlined. As well, it had lots of small white, heart shaped buttons to hand-sew on the skirt back. I used the softest cotton batiste in a light blue.
It turned out perfectly and I remember feeling so completely confident when I wore it to a BBQ where I met my boyfriend's (at the time!) family.
Winning your extra copy of May Burda would give me some summer reading (and dreaming) at the cottage.....where I cannot sew (no electricity!). Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
geelizc AT gmail DOT com
I think the best thing I ever sewed was a sky blue pantsuit with loads of top-stitching that turned out just perfect, never mind that it was 30 years ago!
ReplyDeletesorry, forgot the e-mail address: cyclone76133 AT yahoo DOT com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this issue... I am in love with one of the dresses ( yellow and white). Best thing this year is the couture dress with lace inset... Though sleeves are to be improved. Thank you!
ReplyDelete