I made up a muslin of the Jenny skirt from Burdastyle. I can usually make a skirt without a muslin, but I’ve never made a European sized pattern before. I made a size 36, which is the size the chart says I should, based on hip measurement (35.5″) And guess what?
Yes, that’s right… it totally fits! And I didn’t have to go down 3 sizes from the recommendation. I may remove just a smidge from the waistband, but other than that it’s just as I want it (it is not hemmed, so it will be a bit shorter.) I used my leftover gingham for the muslin, and my actual fabric is a bit stiffer. I hope to finish the actual skirt by the weekend – it’s a super quick sew, even with a lining.
The instructions are… um… strange, but I can sew a skirt without them. I hope it works out, because there are some other Burdastyle items I would really like to sew (I’d like a Heidi dress and a few others.)
My new Kim Hargreaves book has finally arrived from the UK, and I’ve decided that Petal will be my first knit from the book.
Interestingly, this sweater was first released as a kit on her website a few years ago, and at the time I rejected it for being beaded. This version has a texture pattern instead of beads. I adore the little decorative buttons! I bought the yarn it calls for, Rowan Fine Milk Cotton. I bought lagoon, a pretty blue-green. I do love Rowan’s yarns, which I find to be very high quality, but I wish they had better colors sometimes… there are too many wishy-washy pastels for my taste! This was one of only a few acceptable colors for me in this yarn.
I’m interested in the milk cotton because I find that fingering weight cotton tends to knit unevenly for me, and I hear that the milk yarn is softer. I ordered it from the UK because I got a good deal – about 7 dollars a ball including shipping, as opposed to 13 in the US… imported yarn is pricey! So that probably won’t be here for a week or two, but when it arrives I will get started.
That’s all for today – thanks for the get-well wishes! I pulled off a miraculous recovery and was able to sing my two solos in the concert on Sunday, thank goodness! The concert was wonderful, and my season with that group is over, though I have others ongoing. I’m thinking it might be time for me to see an allergist, as this is the 3rd allergy-related problem I’ve had this year, but I am horrible about going to the doctor… we will see!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
Glad you’re feeling better AND that your skirt fits like a dream!
PS. tomorrow’s post on my blog is going to be about Vogue 9668, you can see the ‘uninspiringly illustrated dress’ in real life!
Great fitting skirt!
I think you really suit this shape 🙂
Skirt looks great! That sweater looks gorgeous, I want to knit it now! I haven’t tried milk cotton, currently I’m knitting with Calmer and that’s brilliant because it’s actually got a bit of stretch to it.
Every version I’ve seen of this skirt is great, and yours is no exception (even as a muslin!). The fit is fantastic, and I do agree that Burda patterns are much more realistically sized than the other companies. I’ve made several patterns from Burdastyle (and am currently working on Burda 7658, a nice summery shirt dress) and have had a lot of success (unlike Simplicity, where everything has to be graded down and fitted for hours, ugh)
The skirt looks great!
I know singers who have had surgery for chronic sinus problems, though I’m not sure if they had allergy issues as well (probably). I hope you get this resolved soon!
Also, it’s so good to know that Burda patterns fit the way they are supposed to. I have a few Burda patterns and I’ve been hesitant to cut anything out because I’ve had such lousy luck with American patterns fitting properly. Even Vogue, which I used to think was better.
So glad you are feeling better!
I also have good luck with Burda patterns. I broke down this week and ordered a subscription to Burda Style and can hardly wait for the first one to arrive!
I’m glad you were well and that you had a lovely concert. Sometimes I wonder if I should take up singing, it does sound like fun. Is it something that you get too old to start?
I think petal is an adorable sweater! It looks like it will be fun to knit.
I’m glad you’re into knitting again! That pattern looks cute! You always inspire me with your many sweaters!
I’d love for you to write a post about your knitting style, how often you knit, how many hours a day, etc. 🙂
i love that skirt…can’t wait to see your final product!
Wow! Love that skirt, and that sweater pattern is too sweet! I love Kim Hargreaves, she has such a great aesthetic. I have a question for you on your Burda Style patterns – what size of paper did you print them out on? In the US it’s nearly impossible to find A4 and I am worried all my patterns will be mis-sized. Any advice on printing those PDF’s is appreciated 🙂
Your skirt is darling and I love the Petal sweater. I like your yarn color much better, too.
I love that sweater! ok, what do you think about the instructions included in the book if there are any? I would love to give it a try, but with only mitten knitting experience im leary to try 🙂
I have had terrible allergies too this spring and was finally diagnosed with asthma….no fun. I hate taking the meds and have found that mine, prob stemming from sinus issues, is GREATLY helped by using a netti pot daily. If you dont have one, they are cheap and i notice a difference from using it. 🙂 good luck!
You are really doing fantastic in your sewing. That skirt is fabulous!!! I have found that Burda fits me well too. I have a question. Have you ever fallen out of love with knitting for any length of time? I started learning to knit in Feb 2009 and knitted for about a year. Then I just stopped. I had gotten pretty good at it, and I don’t want to lose my skill, but I just can’t seem to get back into it. It is frustrating because I want to knit, but I can’t seem to make my hands pick up my needles. Part of the reason is that it is expensive.
I have two burdastyle patterns and have made numerous burda magazine patterns. I think the fit is much more on target compared to the Big 4 patterns. You skirt, even in the muslin fabric is amazing. The fit is amazing, too.
So glad to hear of your quick recovery. The skirt looks great – a perfect fit! About the yarn, I am curious as to wear you bought it that had such reasonable shipping. Any other good sites for purchasing yarns you could recommend? I know about knitpicks, that’s about it. And I always knit short sleeve or sleeveless sweaters since yarn is so pricey. It’s a gorgeous sweater, and I love the blue color you picked out. Can’t wait to see it all knit up.
Your skirt looks awesome! I can’t wait to see it in the fabric you chose. I too am also excited to see you knit again. 🙂
About allergies, mine are usually much worse in fall than in spring, but this year has been terrible. I went to an allergist a few years ago who did the skin test but nothing came up. He said there are so many plants, trees, etc, that it’s difficult to know for sure what people are allergic to. So now I have a nasal spray (which I loathe, but it helps) in addition to a prescription Claritin-like pill. They still don’t ward off the semi-annual cold that makes me sound as if I have pneumonia or TB along with a sore throat…I guess my point is that allergists can help you only so far, but there are no miracle cures for the really high pollen or mold seasons. If you don’t need surgery for, say, a deviated septum, or asthma medications, you may have to accept that you’ll be able to feel somewhat better, but will still be battling the colds. It’s very frustrating.
That skirt is awesome! Kim Hargreaves’ makes me swoon…I’m having several designs from Nectar and Breeze made up for me and I can’t wait!
Sarah 🙂
so glad to hear that it is a perfect fit. i have been wanting to make this skirt for awhile but have been apprehensive as it is my first burda pattern.
great job as always.
Welcome to the world of “correct sizing”! 😀
Burda’s instructions take a while getting used to… knowing how to sew without instruction definitely helps.
It looks great, btw… I have this one in my cart for months, might give in and get it.
ooh… I’ve been eyeing Petal too. Can’t wait to see the finished product. You knit and sew beautifully.
If you’re every looking to try fingering weight cotton again, I highly recommend SandnesGarn Mandarin. It’s lovely to work with.
Oooo, that’s a pretty sweater! Love the color you chose.
So classy! Really suits you. Will you share your good deal source for milk cotton in UK?
What a cute sweater pattern!
Crystal,
I’m in the U.S. and I print out BurdaStyle patterns on regular old 8.5 by 11 printer paper. The important thing is to use the test square on one of the pattern pieces. Print that sheet out first and measure to make sure the square is the measurement listed. Adjust the percentages accordingly and everything should print out fine.
I love checking your blog to see what you are knitting and sewing. I do not sew but knit. I love Rowan yarn and I would love a recommendations for purchasing Rowan yarn on-line.
Thanks.
Karin