A boxy Burda fleece

When I was compiling my 2019 year in review post I was surprised and a bit saddened that I didn't actually sew any Burda magazine patterns last year despite buying it every month and liking quite a few patterns in every issue. So I resolved to try and sew more from my magazines, and when January's contained this wonderful, boxy sweatshirt I just knew I had to sew it up!

When I was compiling my 2019 year in review post I was surprised and a bit saddened that I didn’t actually sew any Burda magazine patterns last year despite buying it every month and liking quite a few patterns in every issue. So I resolved to try and sew more from my magazines, and when January’s contained this wonderful, boxy sweatshirt I just knew I had to sew it up!

Burda Jan 2020 #116 (not that it’s available on the English-laguage abomination of a site yet, but here it is on the German version) is a drop-shoulder boxy sweatshirt with no shoulder seam – there’s a shaped panel that runs along the shoulder line instead and up into the funnel collar (which has an integral, folded over facing).

So it’s a pretty straightforward, easy make, not that you would know it from Burda’s overly wordy and frankly, terrible instructions. I mean, I expect nothing less from Burda! Is it even a Burda review at all if you didn’t complain about their terrible instructions?? 😂

I knew I had a tech fleece from Maldon Mills that’s been in my stash for a while and I thought it would make a nice pairing for this since I didn’t really have any other heavyweight knits lying around (I don’t tend to keep many on hand since they take up so much room). Unfortunately, though, when I got it out I realised it was a LOT thinner than I remembered.

This was my first mistake – this pattern really needs something hefty to keep the structure.

I’m going to count this overall as a fail – first and foremost because I chose the wrong fabric (and I kinda knew that as I was cutting it, but I don’t have enough of anything heavier in my stash and I was already in the mindset to make this). So I haven’t bothered to dress this up with a real photoshoot, just some self-timer shots in my little sewing room. The tech fleece tends to stick to everything, which is why it’s wrinkling up everywhere, even if it’s just to my jeans!

The funnel neck looks messy in real life even though the stitching is fine and I took care when stitching in the ditch of the neck seams to affix the folded-over facing in place…

But the main Fail for me on this jumper is that the proportions feel really off on this – it’s really short in the body (brrr) and overly long in the sleeves, which are also way too wide! I wasn’t the only person to say this, too, mind!

I’ll wear this for layering on runs and rides, but I don’t feel I’ll be making it again… but I do have another Burda magazine pattern in my “end of winter” plans which I made last weekend, and it’s as big of a Win as this one was a Fail!


You can’t win them all!

9 Comments

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  1. 1
    djaktief

    sometimes it’s good to have failures because then you appreciate it more if something fits and fits nicely. It is also good as a professional to show that not everything works out properly.

  2. 3
    Karey

    Love Burda fitted patterns, but gave up on their boxy designs years ago. Their kids boxy designs sort of work, but kids are closer to the cylinders with sticks they’re designed for. If you have any curves they’re pretty much hopeless.

    • 6
      melissa

      Yup – perhaps you missed the part where I explained that the fabric was too lightweight? You’re right though, Martina’s version is perfect! Though I wonder if it’s because she literally fixed all the things I said were wrong/unexpected with the pattern – body too short, sleeves too long and sleeves too wide!

  3. 7
    Alex

    Hmm, such a shame this didn’t work out! I can see what you mean about the proportions! I especially bought the Jan issue for this pattern… But good thing I saw yours before I cut it out. Thanks for reviewing it ,Melissa!

  4. 8
    Kathy

    You can rescue it! The shoulder and neck is great and will work to keep you warm. Use another pattern such as Jalie Dolman top #3352 to reshape the sleeve and bodice. Add length to the 3/4 sleeve on the pattern to make it long sleeved for cool weather warmth. Then add a band at the bottom – either single layer or double to add the length you desire. You will have revived the top and made it into a wearable one that you will hopefully get much use out of.

  5. 9
    MultiVroon

    Yes, fabric is off, but also the sizing I believe. The body is too long and to tight to be boxy on you? And yes, the sleeves, too long, maybe to wide as well for your proportions?

    Boxy can be great I believe, but you need contrast in the total appearance? So a boxy top should be obviously wider then the part below it. Waist, pants: as slim/smooth as can be. Wide sleeves, then a slim piece of arm needs to be seen. Just thinking out loud. 😉

    For warmth I use a slim fitting undergarment with something that’s wide at the waist.

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