How to Trace BURDASTYLE Magazine SEWING PATTERN

[@rhonddalesley]

I’m one of the strange breed who actually enjoy tracing these patterns! I don’t enjoy that all the patterns aren’t in all the sizes and that the magazine cover claims to have 100+ patterns when they don’t in terms of what we’d expect, I asked about this on another video and someone said that they think that Burda count each pattern size as a pattern in itself so I suppose it’s technically true 🤷🏻‍♀️ Really helpful info for those who haven’t encountered this before, it can appear very daunting but you’ve explained it really clearly Sharon!

[@SharonSews]

I'm right there with you! I don't mind tracing them at all (of course I also like to iron 😃) I wasn't sure why they say 100+ patterns, but it's not the best marketing IMHO. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@wadenyoost1796]

Excellent!! Thanks for this explanation. I've always wondered how to use the Burda magazine patterns. Now I know, after 26 years. Bless you.

[@SharonSews]

I’m so happy you found this helpful!

[@cecenelson2194]

Thankyou for this. I might try Burda magazine now

[@SharonSews]

You’re welcome Ce Ce!

[@scormeny]

Hiya! This seems like such a great intro to Burda pattern tracing, it definitely has tips I wish I knew when I got started. I would add: 1. you mention it, but I would underscore that the pattern illustration has all the notches and other markings pretty clearly shown on it. Before removing my tracing paper, I ALWAYS glance back at the pattern illustration to make sure I've captured all the marks. 2. you also mention that on each piece you include basic pattern info, but I feel like you would rate it a "nice to have." I would rate it a "must have," and am pretty religious now about including the pattern info on each piece (ie, "BSMag 05/2010 115A shirt, size 42, 7. sleeve, cut two on fold"). Another dear friend taught me this useful tip: trace the small line illustration from the pattern instructions onto each piece (that's large enough -- facings and collars are sometimes too small for that). It is so useful! Sometimes I'll also add a title for the project I'm working on (ie, "pink dots with white collar" or whatever shorthand I am using to describe the project to myself). 3. I bought a package of 100 plymor 10 x 12" ziplock style plastic bags, and use those to store individual patterns. For my BSMag patterns, I scan and include a copy of the model photo; a copy of the pattern instructions; and printed copies of any other inspiration photos or tutorials/blog entries that I have found online that are useful for that particular pattern. 4. This is a broader tip for sewing room organization that I got on a roll with after typing the three above: For any pattern I'm working on, I also keep a sort of log with notes about where I currently stand with the project and what I think the next steps are in the plastic bag. I am a very slow sewer, and with life getting in the way it can be easy to forget what you last did with a project if a few weeks (months? election seasons?) go by. Once I've got the pattern, the fabric, and any notions assembled, I grab an accordion-bottomed folder and put everything in it, that becomes my project box that I keep using until the project is done. I try to have no more than five project boxes sitting around at a time -- more than that and my sewing life gets confusing and I get discouraged. But having five projects with "balls in the air" at a time is a good number for me. Only one or two are active, but it's a way to keep projects that are "in the queue" close by and inspiring me. Maybe I need more pinspo photos, or more time, or a refresher on a technique, or a special kind of interfacing or machine foot, to actually kick it off, so seeing the project box waiting for me is a reminder to take care of those tasks too when I am not in the mood or the space or whatever for actually sewing.

[@SharonSews]

These are great additional tips! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@kathydailey782]

❤️Burda! I discovered it when I took a Summer course in Germany. In 1974. No Sharon on You Tube then to help me but I powered thru😅

[@SharonSews]

Ooooo! They must have been really fabulous then! I didn’t discover them until 1996, and I was hooked immediately!

[@lisamoore5699]

This was so good! I’ve not been brave enough to buy a Burda magazine. Thanks for the introduction.

[@SharonSews]

Do it! 😂 I honestly believe once you try it it’s not as difficult as you might believe.

[@janetlink9756]

Thankyou for taking the time to demonstrate this. You make it look so easy. Thankyou for sharing your knowledge.

[@SharonSews]

My pleasure Janet!

[@cathyswope5174]

Perfect timing, I am planning on sewing a burda blouse for summer

[@SharonSews]

Hi Cathy! You mean you plan on sewing a Burda blouse IF summer ever arrives in Minnesota 😂 I’ve been in contact with family, and they have informed me what a terrible spring it has been there weatherwise.

[@cathyswope5174]

@@SharonSews sadly you are oh so correct. Went to Art In Bloom today at MIA in a turtleneck with a sweater over it. And corduroy pants 😭

[@SharonSews]

@@cathyswope5174 Oh that is just sad. It reminds me of that year it snowed into May. Not that it’s going to happen this year! But come on, summers are short enough as it is, let the warm weather arrive!

[@jodieroundtree488]

Thank you Sharon! I bought one of these magazines at my local German deli, got it home, so excited and folded pages of what I wanted to make....then looked at the pattern page and 0o0!!!! No way! Mk, you gave me hope. Hahahaaha

[@SharonSews]

Now you can do it! 😂 Look at Rachel’s tip - she highlights the lines she will trace to make it even easier for tracing. Be sure to come back and let me know your progress!

[@rachelevans1899]

I use a highlighter pen to highlight the pattern pieces I want before tracing them. It makes it easier to see the correct line through the tracing paper .

[@SharonSews]

That’s a great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@tammymasson2343]

This was incredibly awesome and super helpful! I really love how you covered all the details and actually demonstrated. The hand tracing first was so cool! It made the pattern pieces pop out so I could really see it! You’re amazing, Sharon! Thank you for this tutorial!

[@SharonSews]

Thank you Tammy! I’m so happy you found it helpful. I discovered that if I trace it with my finger first it’s easier for my eye to find it when I put the tracing paper over it.

[@carmensalome]

Great Great video Sharon! Very informative!!

[@SharonSews]

Thank you Carmen!

[@sunflowersammee1994]

Sharon... that was so good! I have to admit, I looked at a Burda magazine and saw the pattern sheets and said "oh no" that's not for me. Thank you for taking the guess work out of it. I'll have to revisit Burda again. 🌻

[@SharonSews]

Yay! I hope you try a Burda Magazine in the future and discover it's pretty easy once you try it a few times. Let me know if you have questions!

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

Great instructions! I still find that whole pattern sheet daunting - I have a tendency to lose the line I'm tracing. But you sure make it look easy!

[@SharonSews]

Jen, it really does get easier the more you use the patterns! Try Rachel’s tip and highlight the line you want to trace.

[@brendaseavey6284]

Thank you for this wonderful video. I have several Burda Magazines. I am looking forward to tracing a pattern.

[@SharonSews]

I hope you find sewing Burda designs as enjoyable as I do!

[@judisewnsew6514]

Excellent video as always! Thank you!

[@brendajefferson5984]

Great video and tips! I have traced Burda patterns with ease for years and also all my big 4 patterns. I too use Bienfang paper and never had a bleed through. For pencils I use a #4 art pencil.

[@SharonSews]

Thanks Brenda! Great tip on the #4 art pencil - I never thought of using an art pencil 😃

[@mardine9931]

Thanks, that was very helpful!

[@carineckes1290]

I still haven't tried a Burda magazine pattern. I have to drive a bit to find one as my local Joanns doesn't sell them. I have a Clover double tracing wheel for adding seam allowances which works well, just another option.

[@SharonSews]

That's a great tip! I don't have that tool but I may need to try it and see if I like it better than my green ruler 😀 I have seen the magazine for sale in the past by a few independent online fabric stores; I've also seen them for sale on Etsy before. Maybe you could find one that way!

[@carineckes1290]

Etsy would be a great place to look for Burda mags, I'll have to try that.

[@bluegrassdreams2seams510]

I’ve copied many of these patterns. I find the adult patterns more useful than the children. Some people say the directions are minimal. Do you feel that way about the directions? I never have; maybe someone with little experience might. I did read a tip once by a reader of Burda patterns. She took her pattern sheets to a copier that used colored ink. Then she requested so many copies so she’d have each piece of every patterns to file in envelopes with her magazine. I never tried this but it’s tempting😊 Cheryl

[@SharonSews]

Hi Cheryl I don't use the children's patterns, never have, but I don't have any little ones around 😀 I do think the instructions are minimal, and if I had never sewn before I might have trouble with some of the techniques. As an experienced sewist I use the instructions as a general guideline. That's a great tip, thanks for sharing!

[@maryleigh3788]

Hi, was so happy to see this video about tracing. I trace my big four patterns also. I am interested in tracing pens that will not bleed thru the tracing paper onto the pattern. After seeing what you were tracing, that is what you have. Please tell me the brand etc. I will look to see if you listed your tracing paper and source.

[@SharonSews]

Hi Mary! I trace most of my BIg 4 patterns also! The paper is Bienfang tracing paper, and I use good ole' Papermate Flair pens. Someone did mention they use artist pencils so that's a good option too!

[@claudianowakowski]

Very informative

[@debbiecarter6430]

Great stuff, thanks

[@maryleigh3788]

Thank you! Just trying to get my ducks in a roll after about Twenty years away from sewing.

[@SharonSews]

That’s a long time! Welcome back i bet you’re looking forward to having fun creating. ❤️

[@jennysspace3635]

Thank you for showing us how Burda works.I have so many of them just sitting without actually using them because,i honestly don't know what size to trace out....i will really appreciate if you can tell me what size i fall into with bust =45.5 Waist=42.5 Hips=52 Please, kindly help me.Thank you.

[@rhonddalesley]

You would be a plus size 50 bust but your waist and hips would be a size 54 which is one size bigger than the patterns go up to. That said, it wouldn’t be too difficult to grade up because it’s only one size and you could do that while tracing (if you’re confident doing that but it can be easier because you can see the reference points which help to determine how much to add and where) or trace size 52 and grade up afterwards. That said, if you measure the pattern pieces, you may find that there’s enough wearing/design ease built in that you don’t need to grade up or that you can get away with just adding an extra 1/4” seam allowance. I do feel your pain, my bust puts me in their regular size range but my hips and waist put me just in the plus size range which is okay if I’m making separates (to a point) but if I’m making a dress or jumpsuit, I have to determine whether to grade up from the bust or down from the waist/hips depending on the style of the garment. This can make things a bit tricky especially as they don’t have all of the patterns in all sizes which is the one thing I don’t like about Burda style. Long comment I know but I hope this helps!

[@jennysspace3635]

@@rhonddalesley woow!!this comment it's the best i have ever had asking about my size with Burda style patterns.Thank you so much,i really do appreciate....😊🙏😍

[@SharonSews]

Thank you for responding to Jenny's question! I appreciate it as you can tell I've been behind in in responding to comments. 😬

[@DeviousKnitter70]

Where do you buy a Burda magazine? I haven't seen them in years!

[@jillannjohnson2290]

I bought one recently at Joann Fabrics in the US

[@rhonddalesley]

In the U.K I bought one issue a while back from Tesco but Asda didn’t stock them when I went recently so I ordered it online which cost an extra couple of pounds for delivery

[@jodieroundtree488]

I live in Washington state, US. I buy them at my local German deli. They carry all sorts of magazines from Germany plus all the good food!

[@SharonSews]

Hi Marilyn, I have a subscription And information for that is in the description box. I have found individual issues on eBay, Etsy, and I think even Amazon. If you do a Google search, there are a few online fabric stores in the US that carry copies also. If I can find them I will update this comment.

[@cjane51]

Sharon I bought the tracing paper but got the yellow by mistake. Have you ever used the yellow version of this tracing paper?

[@SharonSews]

Hi Claudia I have not used the yellow, I didn’t even realize it was available in yellow. Can you see through it? Although I suppose you can’t tell without opening it 🤦🏻‍♀️ Perhaps you can return and exchange at no charge? I’m going to get yellow next time just so I will know the answer 😀

[@cjane51]

@@SharonSews thanks for replying so quickly. I haven’t opened it so will probably send it back for the while.

[@user-bn7cg5kz9p]

Wow what a hot mess these patterns are! You did a great job explaining it though!