Burda Open Source Sewing is the MySpace of DIY Fashion
Prefer to take your personal style into your own hands? Had enough of mass produced cheap fashion? Looking for something unique? Then Burda Style, the newest community-based online do-it-yourself style destination, is for you. According to the site’s “About Us” page,
We like to think of this website as a virtual sewing circle, an open-source hub of ideas, expertise, and amazing patterns you can download and sew at home. We want you to learn something new every time you visit BurdaStyle. We want this website to inspire you. And most importantly, we want you to get involved: We’re offering our ideas, expertise and download-able patterns to the BurdaStyle community, and we hope that you’ll contribute, too.
Though the website has been online since late January 2007, it has gained popularity in the crafty community quickly. With users uploading images of their creations, an sharing tips and tricks via the wiki-style Sewpedia and How-To sections, inspiration is only a mouse click away. Though the images in this entry feature skinny, youthful models, nearly all patterns feature a wide range of sizes. As of late, the website’s official blog has featured a number of user’s pattern customizations for pregnancy.
- » See also: Handmade Holidays: Stockings Made from Scrap Fabric
- » Get Crafting a Green World by RSS or sign up by email.
Currently, there are 35 patterns available, with new ones being uploaded at least once a week. Everything from pants and dresses to accessories and lingerie are online in PDF format, easily printable from any home printer. As with any good pattern, difficulty ratings and details on amount of fabric needed are provided for each project, as well as direct feedback from other users who have completed them.
What’s your favorite part of creating your own wardrobe?
Where do you prefer to find your stylish patterns?
I enjoy the community over at Burda. The patterns are great and make up beautifully. I must say that I look more favorably at the Burda patterns in the store now!
>What’s your favorite part of creating your own wardrobe?
Hmmm. I’d have to say the fit. I tend to choose basic fabrics/colors but because I make (and rip and make) them, they fit perfectly.
>Where do you prefer to find your stylish patterns?
Wherever. Really, I love the idea that Stacy Sews blogs about. She takes something that she likes from a catalog or store and then finds the pattern and fabric to match. Thrifty and green! It’s a fab combo.
Hi Knittlebittle,
I am still waiting for the pattern from Competition winner Mallisa Long. She won the contest in July, so I’m not sure what is taking so long for them to get the pattern together.
Fit is one of the main reasons I enjoy customizing or creating my own garments as well. Buying things off the rack does save time, but rarely (if ever) do they fit ‘just right.’
VE
[...] to add some spice to your Spring wardrobe? Need a new creative project to work on? We introduced you to Burda Style during the early days of our blog. Now its time to share the details for their first mini-challenge [...]