Well hi! Look at me, participating in a challenge, and ON TIME! (I think?) Meg from Cookin’ and Craftin’ proposed the Sew Twists and Ties challenge at the end of December, and it has taken the sewing world by storm! I love it when someone comes up with just the right idea at the right time. If you aren’t following the tag on Instagram, you should – it’s a lovely selection of styles and fashion inspiration on every age and body shape!
Speaking of Meg… I GOT TO MEET HER!!! Meg and I worked for years as Curvy Sewing Collective Editors, and (clever me) I’ve now recruited her to be a Sewcialists editor! Meg is so nice, so smart, so hard working, and my constand style inspiration! She drove up from Vermont for Ottawa Frocktails, and my awesome sister Anne (in the floral velvet wrap dress I made last year) drove me up so we could all party! In the black Cashmerette Washington dress on the far right is Kate (@cookkat62) who is an instant kindred spirit. The sewing community is pretty damn great.
Now back to my twist and tie dress!
During the Christmas holidays, I treated myself to three Burda paper patterns, so that I could just cut them out and start sewing. (I wasn’t seeing well at the time, so it was a treat to skip printing and taping!) I’m really coming to love Burda patterns – they fit me really well if I do a petite adjustment above the bust, and I like that the styles are often a step above basic. This is Burda 6442. I’m just slightly out of the size range, so I cut an extra bit of width on front and back from the waist down.
Now, the pattern does say it has a deep v-neckline… see where I’m poking one finger into the knot on the lefthand picture? That’s where the V came down to as drafted!!!!! Nearly to my belly button. Luckily, the neckline has fabric folded back to make a built-in facing, so I sewed it up 8″ to make it decent for work!
I like to keep some cheap fabric in my stash for making muslins, and this is a perfect example. The print is kinda bonkers, but close enough to my style that I’ll wear it since it worked out! I might make this again in a classier fabric… It certainly looked lovely on my sister when she tried it on, but she would never wear this in her conservative office!
Finally, I’m loving my “sewist” necklace from Closet Case Patterns! Although now I kinda want a silver one that will match my new glasses better… Can I justify that?
Have you made a twist dress like this before? I’m always curious to see what the pattern pieces look like for different designs, and I’m happy to report this one was surprisingly easy to sew!
Crafting A Rainbow 
This style dress on you is so flattering!! Make it again!!
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Thank you! I’ve got a fabric in mind for another version soon!
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It looks like playing with the stripe placement was fun on this one! And though it’s been a little while since I’ve sewn a Burda (I need to revisit my stacks of their magazine sometime!), I do remember that their necklines overall tend to be ridiculously low. Definitely not bra-friendly as drafted! So I always raise them to a more comfortable height.
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One funny thing i noticed about all three patterns I bought is that they have super fun fronts and really boring backs! Gotta remember to pay attention to that when I shop!
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Wow! This dress looks AMAZING on you! Well done with the stripe play.
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I have to shameless admit that I did absolutely no pattern placement on this – I had barely enough fabric! But it was fun to see how the vertical and horizontal stripes played out.
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The dress looks lovely on you!
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❤ Thank you!
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You can totally justify the other necklace. It’s not even a stretch!! You’re supporting your own cuteness and small business. It all works. And OMG – this is FANTASTIC. I love this dress. I cannot bring myself to deal with the tracing insanity that is Burda but this garment is awesome. Moreover, the fabric pattern is perfectly positioned to make the boobs SHINE! Make this in every colour. You look amazing.
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It totally a boob-tastic dress! Also, I think I had my camera a few inches lower than normal, cause I can see my underbust more clearly and I feel like that changes proportions. LOL – I guess that’s how my students see me, too! 😛 For what it’s worth, this is a Burda paper pattern, so no tracing! 😉
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Great style for you! And I say after what you’ve been through lately, you DESERVE a silver Sewist!
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I like your logic!!!! ❤
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Fits you perfectly. I like the print on you. It is young and flattering. Not so much on me.
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Thank you! It’s rather a lot, but in a fun way!
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very pretty dress – and Yay! for Burda patterns – I realize they might be a tad difficult for beginning stitchers but I find the range of styles is so good and the fit/shaping are very nice
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I”m definitely hooked! But i notice that all three patterns I bought have really fun fronts and really boring backs – do you ever find that too? I just need to look at the line drawings a bit more carefully, or plan some detail as I sew!
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This is gorgeous – the stripes are so fun. The style is fantastic – very flattering on you. Well done!!
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Thank you! I’m excited this one turned out!
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This is such a fun dress. It’s still totally boobalicious with the more conservative neckline – I’m not sure what the point of the plunging option would be? Layering? I have the Papercut Aomori and def wear it as a layer. The way the stripe placement came out, it almost looks like a bolero-shrug over the top. Really fun!
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Anne thought it had a bolero when she first saw it on insta! Total fluke, cause I barely had enough fabric. 😉
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The dress is lovely (I have had good luck with Burda, too) even with that ‘scandalous’ neckline. I LOVE the fabric patterning, especially how it runs diagonally on the bust.
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Really like this dress but the one I love is the blue one you are wearing in the group photo. May I ask what pattern that is?
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It’s a Burda pattern from the August plus size range this year! I can’t remember the number right now, but I will put it up on my blog soon!
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I adore the stripe directions and how everything came together-you look fabulous!
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❤ Thank you!
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I’m feeling pretty hypnotized by the stripes. It’s a whirlpool! The fit is great, too, you should definitely make another if you like wearing it. 🙂
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Great dress and love the blue one on you in the group photo, too; it looks a very comfortable silhouette.
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Super cute! I love twist fronts!!!
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Va va voom! i was going to compliment you on your pattern placement, but I see it was unintentional – amazing! I can totally picture you rocking this dress in a less wild pattern, but this really works for you. Glad to see you’re back to sewing!
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Love this dress on you! The crazy print totally works! It looks fantastic.
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