A challenge without rules and a pattern tracing tip

On Pattern Review there’s a thread with a challenge to use your (Burda) magazines more. In 2017 this challenge is held for the 3rd time and this time I will try it too. Especially as there are no fixed rules. Some want to make a garment from each issue that will be published next year, some want to make 6 garments, some using older issues as well. It’s your own challenge. I’m in the last group. I have so many issues of pattern magazines, not only Burda. Many patterns marked to make some day, but you all know what happens.

Even though I make more of my own patterns now, it’s still nice to have a pattern as a starting point sometimes, or even just use a pattern. Therefor I will try to make at least 12 garments next year using Burda patterns, either from 2017 issues or older issues I have. I made a good start by tracing and cutting a dress today. Whether it’s finished before Christmas remains to be seen.

Have you ever tried Burda magazine patterns? Here’s a tip for those of you who find the pattern sheets intimidating and have difficulty to find the pieces in all the lines.

First you start with the sheet (A, B, C etc) you need and find out what color lines you have to trace. This information you can find with the pattern instructions in the center of the magazine.

The numbers are not only printed next to a line of the pattern piece, but also in the margin of the sheet. The easiest way to find a pattern piece that isn’t too obvious is locate the number in the margin, in the color you need, and trace a (mental) line perpendicular to that number over the sheet. Somewhere along that line will be the pattern piece number you are looking for. Sometimes it’s close to the number in the margin, sometimes on the other side of the sheet, but always in a straight line from the number in the margin.

Tracing paper

A quick in between post on tracing/wax/carbon paper. Karin said she found it difficult to find wax paper and asked what I used for it.
I use Burda copying paper and am not aware of any other brand available. I can buy it in a notions store. It’s available in a package with white and yellow and a package with blue and red marking paper. The sheets are large (82x57 cm), not as large as the one Susan Khalje uses in her class probably, but I usually only have to reposition for very long or wide pattern pieces (think trousers, wide skirt panels). A set of paper lasts for a very long time. Last year I bought a new set with the red sheet, the one I used till then had lasted a couple of years. In the end it was torn by folding and using a lot, but I still have that piece too, held together by tape on the back, as it doesn’t give too thick wax dots any more, and in some cases (thinner fabric) I still prefer to use the old sheet!
I use it for “real” fabric as well, not only for muslins, depending on the fabric of course! I wouldn’t use the coloured ones on a white fabric, but have used white on white, and surprisingly usually that is just visible enough.
In English it’s called Carbon paper, and if you google for Burda carbon paper you might find a shop that sells it. This way I found out it’s also sold by several vendors on Ebay. Make sure you buy “Kopierpapier” (I indicated it on the screenshot).