Last week I completed the BurdaStyle Teacher Certification course. It is an online course where you watch videos on their core techniques to use when teaching others using the Burda patterns. There were 4 assignments to complete using these core techniques and I was required to take pictures of each project to upload for grading. Each project had various photos to show the skills and techniques used. The course began in September and closed in January. That’s plenty of time to complete — right in the middle of the holidays and my temporary/part time job and the classes and private lessons that I already teach. Absolutely! I’ve got this.

I was determined to complete this. It was a bit of a crunch for me. But, I really wanted that piece of paper and the recognition that I am certified to instruct others in the BurdaStyle way. Many of these techniques I have used before and many I have learned some ways to be a bit sloppy with to get by. So, it was good to take the course and work through all the projects. I did learn quite a few valuable skills.

The projects were specific. A pair of bermuda shorts, inserting in seam pockets, a zipper placket and waist band.  A sweatshirt using knit fabric and inserting front pocket and a style feature of gusset-like panels on the side and adding the neck band. The dress had a side seam invisible zipper, bust darts and skirt darts and a peter pan-style collar. And finally the short jacket had set-in sleeves and a lining. Hand stitch was used in each project for hemming. The sizes for the projects were not within my size range with the exception of the sweatshirt. I made the largest size in each project. There were plus size patterns included in the course to use for practice and I plan to sew some of them up soon.

Here are the shorts. I am please with how they turned out.

BurdaStyle Teacher’s Certification short

Here is the sweatshirt. This one was made from a sweatshirt material.

BurdaStyle Teacher’s Certification Sweatshirt.

I enjoyed it so much I made a second using a sweater knit and french terry. Both garments are very warm and cozy. Perfect for our weather here this year as it’s been a bit cold during December and part of January. You can see some of the angles of the side gussets in the contrast version.

Loved this so much I had to make another.

I really like the style of the dress. I wish I could wear it. It would be fun to wear. Now I guess I need to practice my resizing skills….

BurdaStyle Dress Assignment

The jacket was made using a wool blend and a poly lining that I found in my stash. Yay for stash busting. I love the way the lining looks.

BurdaStyle Jacket Assignment and final project.

BurdaStyle Jacket Assignment. Check out the lining.

I am still running my kids neighborhood group through The American Sewing Guild. We call it Kids Sew Too. We had our monthly meeting yesterday and these are two of the gals in attendance showing off their Emoji Pillows that we worked on. This project involved hand and machine sewing. They each had a choice of which “expression” to create. Most picked the “heart eyes”.  Maybe because they love sewing as much as I do!

The ASG Kids Sew Too Emoji Pillows

I’m so “in love” with these kids

I am looking forward to getting back to sewing up some more of the Burda patterns once things with my part time job settle down a bit. My sewing classes and private lessons of teaching others is continuing to grow and I am loving every minute of that.

I’m also loving reading all the other sewing blogs on the ‘net and following how all of you are getting along. There is so (sew) much sewing fun all around.

Cheers and Happy Sewing/Creating New Year!