Learning to sew can be life changing. Not only do you suddenly have the ultimate choice in colors, shapes and textures, but you can build the perfect set of classic wardrobe staples that make your friends and family look to you as the one to watch for style. This week’s Look Book collaboration with BurdaStyle
is just such a wardrobe builder. When would this come in handy? You’ve just put in a solid 8 hours of work with daily tasks including but not limited to, 4 hour long meetings, trying to ignore the gossip about one coworker failing to deliver a project once again, listening to another coworker’s new diet fad (she’s lost 2 pounds in a week!) and who could forget the hundreds of emails you just knocked out of your inbox. Now, you’ve just gotten home and realize you’ve forgotten about Lisa’s 30th wedding anniversary celebration tonight as panic sets in!
“I’m so tired, don’t feel like dressing up, and don’t feel like going out. Should I cancel? No. But, WHAT DO I WEAR!” What is that go-to outfit that says I still look put together after working a full day? Here’s a suggestion: A causal yet edgy shirt, pair of leggings, with those sleek pumps and a statement necklace that adds a dressy element leaving everyone asking how you do it all and still look so great! The Raglan Sleeve Shirt featured in our BurdaStyle and Brother Runway to Reality Look Book(Opens in a new tab)
is one of my favorites as it's the perfect transitional piece for your wardrobe. Jersey fabric is a great textile as it’s stretchy, drapes beautifully and most importantly, is so comfortable. The folks at BurdaStyle chose a novelty eyelash knit for the sleeves to mimic the runway and add a textural dimension to the sleeves that gave this basic shape a POP. When you make this yourself, you can choose any texture of your choice! How fun! The inspiration for this shirt came from a look seen at New York Fashion Week that the folks at BurdaStyle just couldn’t resist. I think the color is particularly appealing as it’s the perfect summer shade of red to go with your newly sun-tanned skin. There are only 3 pattern pieces for this shirt, so construction is quite basic and it could be a good project for someone who is just starting to work with knits. We’ve used one of our beloved Project Runway combination sewing and quilting machines, the Brother Innov-is NQ1300PRW
and paired it with our Brother 3034D Serger
. You could also finish the edges with one of the overlock stitches on the sewing machine if you don’t have a serger, but for a more professional look, we’d suggest the use of a serger. For instructions on how BurdaStyle’s Denise Wild pattern hacked the Raglan Shirt Pattern for the hi-low look shown in the BurdaStyle and Brother Runway to Reality Look Book, please click here to read all about it
! For step-by-step construction instructions for this Raglan Shirt, download the Runway to Reality Look Book PDF(Opens in a new tab)
. Download the FREE BurdaStyle Plus Size PDF pattern in European sizes 44-52 here(Opens in a new tab)
(for the European to US size chart click here(Opens in a new tab)
). Please note the model usually wears a size 38 but the garment she is wearing is a 44. Also note, NO SEAM ALLOWANCES are included on this pattern. You must add your own seam allowances before cutting your pattern. There is no greater sense of accomplishment than recreating something that inspired you. We would love to see your renditions of the Raglan Shirt, please be sure to share your photos with us on social media by tagging us at #Brothersews!