Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Finally, Burda 7396, with bonus hack!

The most beloved Burda 7396.

 
Here it is at last! Those of you who have watched my Youtube video about making crackers have seen this baby live in action. I bought the fabric, which is a stretch cotton sateen, at Arthur Toyes in Wellington. I am absolutely unable to pass up painterly rose anything, and even though this fabric is unusually neutral for my taste, in this pattern I just love it.I teamed it up with some contrast pinstriped linen.
My first outing of this pattern early last year, was a black, striped number, remember? It has since been gussied up to be my go-to Steampunk top:

In the original I missed out the faux pocket flaps, but I like them against the rose fabric. (Goodness me, photos can change a person can't they! I look like I've been yoyo dieting and taking my clothes in and out!)
Because I had cut the latest version out very soon after making the first, I remembered all the adjustments I needed to make. So even though it took me a year to get around to finishing it, it went together like a dream.
I LOVE this top. It has been way too hot to wear it, however - anything with a sleeve is too hot right now.

And so to The Hack.
I want to love this but I don't. I hacked the pattern by taking out the front closure and making it into a tunic, and using the one piece, shorter, sleeve option. The first time I put it together it was so ugly, I pulled it apart. The bust seam was too far over, the sleeves too full in the top, and the bodice too long. And yet, same pattern, same stretch cotton sateen. Weird! Oh yes, and the neckline was too high.
So, after cutting the neckline lower, cutting heaps out of it everywhere and reassembling, I found that the neckline was too low and showed the top of my new bras. Grrrr. So, I added a drape of lace on each side.
I don't like this and it annoys me that I made such a newb mistake.
I think my issue with this top is that I want to love this red rose fabric, because it is red painterly roses on a black background. So of course I love it right? But I just don't care for the lined up roses all the same size, they look blobby.
But it is done at least. And when I add a little clear elastic to the lace insets so they sit better, I will like it more. But it kind of reminds me of the trouble it has caused and I am not convinced it was worth it.
What I do like though is that the hack is very different from the original. And I will use this pattern again, never fear! Today I fell for some black linen with huge gold roses on it that I want to make into a short peplum jacket, and I'll use the bodice pattern for it.
Yes, yes, yes, I know that there are fabrics out there that do not feature large roses on them. Otherwise what would everyone else wear? ;-)





21 comments:

  1. (...cough... Butterick...cough...)

    Did the tunic turn out wrong because something went wrong in the hacking, or is it just one of those mysterious not-working-whatever-you-do instances?
    I don't think it looks so bad in the end, but yes, the roses all in one size are a bit boring, at least on this type of garment - they'd probably look better as a 50s style dress, or something. Not that such an advice is much good to you now. As we say in Czech, after a battle, everyone is a general... The lace is a very nice save, though!

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    1. I don't know, Hana - I think it is that this fabric is much softer and has more elastane in it. I gree, 1950's style or wiggle dress or some such. But not for me!
      And good tip off about the name of the post - what WAS I thinking!! Fixed now!

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  2. You are such a 'rose' fan - they are one of the best flowers! I do think the neutral rose fabric has more interest and life to it than the red, like you say it is all about the rose placement. But the red fabric is more vibrant...that's roses for you!!!

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    1. In't it funny, for years I had no time for roses, either as a motif or as a real flower. But I think it was getting married and having roses that did it. Now I can hardly walk past them, especially my 'wedding' roses, and home grown ones that actually smell like roses!

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  3. I must admit the striped version is my favourite,i even keep the picture on my phone to remind me to make one :)
    As for the roses,lifes too short not to wear what you love so if roses is your thing so e it .

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    1. In many ways the black is my favourite too. But I can't wear it on the telly, stripes behave badly, and life is too short to only have one Burda 7396 you know :)

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  4. I've coveted this pattern for so long- now you have 3- I cannot live in denial anymore- its going to the top of he queue!

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  5. I like seeing the three variations and the different details that show depending on the fabric. I do love the stripey version, but also like the big roses. It would be a shame not to wear that fab red tunic, I like it, no actually, I love it. I hope that your final fix sorts it out, otherwise please promise me you'll turn the fabric into something else you'll enjoy.....

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    1. You know, wise one, I think I will end up loving it too. I just need to forgive it for being such a lightning rod for trouble... :)

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  6. Well you know I like the red roses as I have the same fabric ready to roll! And the colours are gorgeous on you. I hope you make friends!

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    1. We can go out on Rose Garment dates in matching clothes like tweenies hehehe

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  7. Loving the taupe rose one with the contrast collar and flaps - beautiful - Liking the red rose one too. The black stripe one is definitely a classic.

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    1. I can definitely see you in the taupe version, BeaJay! And as Burda patterns are really cut from women with more up top, I suspect it may just be a winner for you right out of the envelope. :-).

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  8. You're such a pro that the garments you're disappointed about still look fabulous! lol!
    Oh and I love the roses, they really suit you :)

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  9. Ooh you are a rose fan! It's nice to see the three versions of the top and I love how you used the striped one as part of your Steampunk outfit as it looks perfect!

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    1. Thank you! :) I can still wear it as a normal garment too which is great. It makes my steampunk more Georgian than Victorian, but I can live with that more than I can corsets! :)

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  10. I liked this when I saw it on YouTube so its nice to see the three versions all lined up, as they say. I do like the roses and you have to do what you have to do, I say.

    BTW the red roses don't look blobby? Not sure what you mean but I think they're fine, not lined up or placed strangely. LOL about the newb mistake ..... sounds like something I'd do cos I have several times. Sigh.

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  11. I saw this pattern in the shops and never bought it but when I saw you in the taupe roses, you looked so good in it I had to have one, what a struggle to get a OOP pattern but have just finished a Grey one as a raincoat. The pattern needed no adjustment, I love Burda patterns and wish there were more patterns to choose from.

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    1. Such a pity it went out of print as I think it is a timeless winner! I love the idea of it as a raincoat too, very clever :)

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