BurdaStyle Blog

Get Inspired by Alabama Studio Style Contest

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:45:00 +0000

We are so excited to bring you a new competition. It’s perfect for every skill level, and we encourage you all to enter! This one is all about taking inspiration from Natalie Chanin’s new book, Alabama Studio Style. From her studio in Florence, Alabama, Natalie Chanin, founder and creative director of the acclaimed fashion and lifestyle company Alabama Chanin, works with local artisans to create handmade organic cotton-jersey clothing sought by connoisseurs of beauty and sustainable style worldwide. In Alabama Studio Style, a follow-up to the celebrated Alabama Stitch Book, Chanin takes her fans on another compelling journey of creativity, technique, and inspiration, this time sharing many more of her beautiful stenciling, stitching, and beading methods, and a collection of over 20 projects, including her award-winning dresses and skirts. You may remember that last year we did a two-part series on Natalie’s amazing work and philosophy, which you can read here

Vote for your Favorite Project in the Coats & Clark Pink & Red Fashion Show at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:39:00 +0000

With over 115 entries this has been our biggest competition ever! Click through both the Part 1 and the Part 2 slide show to see all the entries. You must be signed in to vote and may only vote for each creation once, though you can vote for as many different entries as you like! Voting will be open till 11:59 pm EST on the 16th of Feb so get going!

Menswear Influence

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:16:00 +0000

Today I am taking note of the alluring refinement of menswear. I have always admired a nicely dressed man. While living in Florence, Italy, I found myself at times completely awestruck of how magnificently the men were dressed- not to mention the women. In Italy, it was common for most people to own just a few high-quality designer pieces. These designer pieces would be worn and re-worn time and time again, such was protocol, and very well taken care of. How different this is from American fashion today, where many of the pieces the general public purchases are disposable? Transient. Fleeting. Cheaply made.
What I love about menswear is the simplicity. Styles and silhouettes remain very much the same over the decades, yet the newness lies in the precision of detail. A boldly printed bow tie with a fried egg pattern looks like classic paisleys from afar, but up close offers a freshness & sense of humor to fashion. Tailored coats made to be worn for years continue to be created, only changing slightly in fabric and texture. Paul Smith is a well known example of someone taking these classical elements and simply changing the details (colorful striped linings, iridescent button holes, polka dotted ties).
Do you pull inspiration from menswear? Do you ever wear mens clothing, steal cozy pieces from your boyfriend or husband? Photos from The Sartorialist

BurdaStyle Sewing Club Update: Message from a Leader

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:24:00 +0000

Highlighted as one of our most active clubs, the BSC of Brooklyn, New York is filled with super-talented creatives from all sewing skill levels who come together and share their love for all things sewing! Since it's inception last year, their club has proven to be extremely beneficial to their individual growth as sewers. The following is written by Valerie (brooklynstitch), the co-leader of their club. If you are interested in forming a club of your own, perhaps hearing a leaders' own experience will show that it certainly isn't as difficult as it my seem. In fact, it is an amazing way to have fun with fellow sewers right in your area!

Sewing Vintage: What's Your Fashion Era?

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:20:00 +0000

{image courtesy of www.fashion-era.com} There was a fashion article on Jezebel over a year ago that’s really stuck with me: “Practical Tips for Personal Style Or, Why Not to Listen To Women’s Magazines.” This post was so interesting to me as a vintage fashion lover because Sadie, the writer, posited that the key to finding your personal style was finding the right fashion era of the 20th century for your body. As she wrote, “If you go through the major fashion eras of the 20th C, you'll see that different silhouettes and body types were in vogue. Find the one that matches you . . . Skinny? 20s and 60s. Curves? Go for 50s, sexy 70s or 80s.”

Featured Member: Kszabo123

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:53:00 +0000

1. Where are you from and/or where do you live? Im an Aussie, currently living in the Nations Captial (Canberra). I've lived here almost all my life, but hope to move to Melbourne one day :) 2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing? Oh gosh. I think the first thing i ever made was a little pink jumper for my Piglet toy. This was with the help of my Grandma, who i used to make things with all the time.

Best of January

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:50:00 +0000

Hey all, Just wanted to let you know that the Best of January slideshow is up! Did your favorite creations make it in? Did your own creations make it in? Take a look!

Win a Copy of "The September Issue"!

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:16:00 +0000

Enter to win the must-have fashion accessory of the year, The September Issue!

What to Sew for Spring

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:43:00 +0000

Even though we have 8 inches of snow on the ground, I know that spring is just around the corner. For me, that means starting on a new wardrobe. With all the new patterns that have been released, tutorials on the web, and a plethora of magazines (not to mention books) that have begun stacking up, it's hard to chose. So how do you determine what to sew first? A pattern that catches your eye? The item that you need the most? The project that you have all the supplies on hand?