It’s May already, can you believe it!? It’s finally getting warmer here in London, and Burda have started their summer patterns, which usually means disappointment for me – but let’s take a look inside!
I really like the tech drawing for this asymmetric cocktail dress (which also comes in a maxi-length), but all the photos of it just look rumpled and a bit wrinkly. I’m not sure if it’s their fabric choice, or what, but I prefer my cocktail dresses more on the clean lines and sleek end of the scale…
I’m kinda torn with this dress – I like what they’ve done with the seaming on the skirt, but the A-line looks a bit too accentuated to my eyes, and it feels like they should’ve carried the idea through and done some more than just the bog-standard darts on the bodice.
This is a really basic dress (or tank/vest) but I like the back neckline and I could see this being a really great, casual dress for beach holidays, or just plain ol’ summer if you live in a hotter part of the world.
I suppose this casual day dress uses a lot of the same elements as the one with the piped seams above, but here it feels more classic 60s shift dress. I’m not sure if it’s the fabric choice, or the sleeves, or the less-exaggerated skirt that does it, but this could be a great pattern to show off a fancy woven in your stash…
I’m not so big on the playsuit, but this was the only version of this bodice where they photographed the twisted back, which I love!! I’m really tempted to make the tank/vest version of this bodice, but I found it interesting that Burda give three different ways of finishing the neckline in the various instructions: One one they used facings, on another, they bound the edges, and on the third they just folded over the seam allowances and topstitched! I’d also be tempted to add an integrated shelf bra in here!
Now, onto the Plus section – I’m totally over the waterfall cardigan (yawn) but I like the “athleisure” casual trousers and especially the pop of neon at the waistband and cuffs.
And finally, it’s not the greatest fit on the model (but at least she’s within the right size range!), but I think this knit day dress looks really comfortable and versatile for summer, too.
Oh and if you’re not following me on Twitter or Instagram, you may have missed that I ran a half marathon yesterday (in the scorching heat, no less!). I’ve posted about it over on my running site, but details of a certain “genuis” item I packed in my bag for after the race!