Burda Pattern 7053 - the Hourglass dress

Well I’ve been obsessed with sewing lately. This time I decided to work on some purchased patterns.

First is Burda 7053.  About a year ago I saw a maxi dress with an hourglass inset (I believe it was on “Prettytallstyle” blog; but can’t seem to find the link now).  It looked very similar to the dress below.  From the reviews on this dress, the fabric is WAY-Y-Y-Y too thin.  Also, I’m not sure if I like how the shoulders are cut in so far (maybe next summer I’ll give it a try with a similar neckline).

When I saw this Burda pattern I knew I wanted it and had to make it.  

I chose to make a fitted version just below the knee with a red/black striped inset.

It was time for me to dust off my serger (Lately I’ve been using my standard machine with a tiny

zigzag to sew knits; primarily because I am too lazy to switch machines).  I'm glad I did, it just gave it a polished look on the inside:

Finished inside seam (4 thread overlock serged seam)

Most of the construction of the dress was done using the a 4 thread overlock on the serger.  

Inside seems of front panel

The facing at the neck and sleeve openings were basted in place first and then topstitched with 1/4 inch topstitching.  The hem was done using a twin needle:

The finished dress: 

Front View

Burda 7053:

Pattern Descripton: Women's knit dress with "hourglass" insert in front, View A

Pattern Sizing: size 6 to 18 (sewed size 14 with alteration at hip)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The pattern was very easy to sew.

Fabric Used: red/black stripe ponte knit and solid black ponte knit from Hancock Fabric (part of my stash)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I did chose to make the dress

into a midi rather than a maxi or short version.  In addition I started with a size 14; then I did my standard alterations of 6” to length,

and altered at hip line to size 18.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, this dress was very easy to sew,

it only took about 2 hours for me to complete (experienced sewer) using my serger.

Conclusion: The fit of this dress is exquisite, and is just right (not too tight, not too loose). And of course because I made it, I could get the length to the appropriate size.  I’m going to make this again, but alter the neckline for a turtle neck and add inset sleeves.  I’m also going to use a solid for the inset (I’m prepping for fall/winter).

The fact that this is essentially a princess seam knit dress means its much easier to make fitting alterations.

Happying Sewing . . .