Monday, December 22, 2014

Reappearing briefly ... and a Giveaway

First, before we get into this post click this link and enter the CSC giveaway running in connection with my review there of the Hot Patterns Uptown/Downtown Knit dress. It ends at midnight EST tonight. HURRY!

Then, leave a comment on this post to double your chances because Trudy and Jeremy have also generously gifted a second copy of this great pattern for a giveaway here. I will do the drawing sometime this weekend. Probably Saturday, but with Christmas and all, I'm not promising. As long as the comments are still open on this post, the giveaway is still open.

OK, back to this post.

I am SO behind on everything. The Marine (Tyler) arrived last week, unexpectedly, and I kind of just threw my hands up and decided to have fun with him instead of honoring obligations. He changed bases and is now 8 hours closer for the next 3 years. Yay! He left Thursday but he'll be here again this Wednesday for the long Christmas weekend. Double yay! It had been 9 months since I had seen him and it was such a treat to have so many days with him. Plus, Alex was at his dad's in Virginia last weekend which gave Tyler and I some alone time. We did lots of stuff, none of which involved my sewing room. Hah.

But I did reacquaint myself in there this weekend and with my old BWOFs, and traced a couple of patterns to make a "track suit" for weekend wear. I'm sorely lacking in casual clothes at the moment.


Even before starting, I didn't forget what a Royal PITA it is to trace BWOFs, which made me procrastinate throughout the whole process, but both patterns are now traced. And that's all the "sewing" I've done lately. I would MUCH RATHER tape together a hundred PDFs. But, as I was looking through the magazine inserts, I saw so many patterns I want to make. Even TEN YEARS later, many of these BWOFs are fashionable and so much more interesting than most of what's out there in printed or PDF patterns. Sigh. No pain, no gain, right? Looks like I'll need to invest in some Swedish Tracing Paper.

Here's what I'm making, hopefully.





And proof that BWOF/BS loves to recycle ... does this one look familiar? Actually, I think this pattern is older and the one I did trace is the "newer" version. I may get some motivation to lay out my tracing over this pattern sheet and really compare.


Now, go enter the giveaways! I'm hoping to be back here briefly before Christmas, but if not, Merry Merry to everyone!!

43 comments:

  1. I agree that tracing those patterns is a huge PITA. I do like their style options. It seems like BWOF and Ottobre for kids are worth the effort simply because of the styles available.

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  2. I quite like tracing Burda patterns. For me they have a trance inducing complexity. I really do have to pay attention to them and just focus on nothing else. Even though you get a few repeats, they are so well put together you can forgive them. Anyway, fashion is cyclical. :) Thanks for the giveaway. X

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  3. Merry Christmas to you! I prefer tracing to taping, we should trade! The older BWOFS are much easier to trace than the newer ones and I agree there are great patterns in the older magazines.

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  4. But wait! That's back when the BWOF were "easy" to trace!

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  5. I'm the opposite, tracing doesn't bother me at all (heck, I even trace Big 4 patterns), but I HATE printing and taping. Of course, it's all moot right now as I barely spend any time in my sewing area. Need to change that for 2015!

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  6. Tracing gives me a headache but I do it anyway. I too would rather tape PDFs. I would love to give Hot Patterns a try. Your dress looks very nice on you. Have a lovely holiday.

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  7. very cool that you got to spend some time with the marine....I think the HP you modelled on CC would make a great casual and warm dress for winter..it was cold and wet here in VA today....

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  8. This is the exact reason why I can't throw out a WOF. I've tried. There's always something in there that looks interesting, even 10-12 years later.

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  9. I'd rather trace than print & tape.
    I like Swedish tracing paper because it has some drape to it and I can do a tissue fit before cutting fabric. Taped paper doe not behave well for me.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    You are rockin' the gray sweater dress. I really like how you styled it with the houndstooth scarf in the very last photo.

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  10. How exciting the Marine is closer, I am so happy for you! I am with you, I will tape PDF's all day long. I have just a few Burda magazines left in my collection and cannot remember the last time I sewed from them. Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy family and sewing time.

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  11. You are so great, Debbie! So excited to see all the amazing creations. Love HP!

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  12. That outfit looks awesome! I entered there, too, so maybe..... I've THE PERFECT sweater knit to use also. Merry Christmas!

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  13. I like the lines of the jacket. Tracing Burdas has gotten very challenging.

    Rose in SV

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  14. You look FANTASTIC in this dress!! All of them! I really like the lines of this dress and now that I see it on you would LOVE the pattern!

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  15. Thanks for the giveaway, it looks like a great pattern. Have a great. Christmas with your boys.

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  16. Great to hear that your son is stationed closer to home. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.

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  17. Sounds like you have your priorities right! Merry Christmas :)

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  18. I love my BWOF magazined, have almost all the issues from the last 20 years ,i dont mind tracing it takes me less time than massing with the PDFs the designs are beautiful and the cost is the most affordable

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  19. I like many of BWOF patterns and their sizing is quite close to my bodytype but tracing puts me off very often - sometimes I just want to grab something that will be fast and easy to trace. By the way, could you tell us which issue of BWOF the jacket pattern comes from? Happy Christmas!

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  20. I have some old BWOF mags and have never traced a pattern as I will need to enlarge them. Maybe I should give it a try.

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  21. I still love Burda pattern styles too! Tracing is kinda crazy but I still do it - once in a while. I don't think my sewing skills are strong enough with the kind of instructions given to do many of the patterns - but I am getting there! I still prefer paper patterns over PDF.

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  22. I have yet to make a Hot Pattern but I love your reviews and your gorgeous outfit!

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  23. Great that you had time to spend with your son.

    I do not mind tracing patterns. I have one roll of Swedish Tracing Paper left from when you used to sell it. I 'save' it for patterns I think I will make again. I use exam table paper for other patterns.

    The dress looks great on you, thank you for a great review.

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  24. Thanks Debbie -loving that your are back to posting & sewing ! Thanks for the giveaway
    MaryEllen Pendleton

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  25. I haven't found the 'perfect' tracing paper yet! This dress looks nice. Thanks for the giveaway - I'd love to win!

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  26. Good project. I am so lacking in casual clothes too, maybe that will be my holiday project. I'm used to the tracing, but it still takes some time and hard-found space (small apt) to get that done!

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  27. Thank you for the giveaway. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  28. I love your pattern reviews, and this one is no exception. The dress looks great on you! Thanks for the giveaway opportunities.

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  29. I have not used a Hot Pattern as of yet. Please enter me in the giveaway!!

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  30. Would love my own copy of that pattern, it looks so nice on you - and looks comfortable! Tracing? If I love the pattern enough I do it. . .but I'm grumbling the whole time, lol. Hope that you have a wonderful holiday with your boys.

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  31. Either one for me, though it depends a little on the pattern company. Some tape together easily, others just don't fit together that well. Merry Christmas!!

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  32. Merry Christmas! Sadly, I've only had one BWOF in all my sewing years and I don't know what happened to it. I guess I need to start trolling ebay!

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  33. I guess it depends what you are used to. As long as I have adequate lighting, I usually enjoy tracing. I find it interesting with the recycling patterns. I'd love to win! Then I'd have to learn to print an adult pattern.

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  34. Thanks for the giveaway! Please enter me!

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  35. I have used medical examine table paper for year. It last a long time. I paid around $20.00 for my roll but that was ten plus years ago. Most medical supply stores should carry it.

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  36. Of course I missed the PR deadline -sigh-. I really love this dress! i hate tracing, too.

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  37. Merry Christmas! I trace almost every pattern I cut out...I always want to preserve the original, just in case I mess something up in the alterations...so even if I print and tape, I still trace. Yeah, it's tedious and sometimes procrastination-inducing, but, well, ya gotta do what you gotta do. ;-)

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  38. Debbie- So glad your Marine will be closer! Thanks for sharing, and count me in!

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  39. I have yet to trace a BWOF pattern…I just can't bring myself up to doing it! Bravo to you! I look forward to seeing your creations.

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  40. I am the complete opposite! I would rather trace 100 Burdas than printing and taping together a PDF. Old BWOF are treasures; those garments never go out of style.

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  41. Mrs Cook,

    About 2 years or so ago you made a Marine purse for my wife. I requested the baseball lining.

    To make a long story as short as possible, about a year and half ago, we lost him to PTSD.

    Our youngest son is also a Marine. Would you be interested in making another purse? Please... My wife stopped carrying the one you made when our son passed. I can not find your email and your "Made by Mom" site is down. This is the only way I know to contact you. If you'd rather send an email it is "Our3sonsrock@yahoo.com"

    Thank you in advance. I look forward to your reply.

    Wes

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  42. DD#2 is dating a (former/retired at 24?) marine. I appreciate their service. I guess I don't really like to trace or tape, but I DO prefer tissue (or something soft that I can get a pin through) when pinning to fabric. the HP dress is VERY Cute!
    A VERY (belated) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!
    designdreamer
    Did you mean you're going to wear that tank backwards? I could see that working on someone (like me) that HAS no chest, but that's not you so I'm confused how that could work on you

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  43. Wow! Comments are still open so I can enter the giveaway. There are many BWOF (yes, I have a great collection of old magazines, too) that I would like to make. The tracing does lead to procrastination for me. Hope you had a great Christmas. Happy New Year!

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