My Burda Easy Shirt in Viscose 04/2022

Let me share a recent creation of mine from the Burda Easy magazine April 2022 - a shirt I previously made in teal cotton lawn that I wear often. It's from the magazine on the right.

The shirt just looks like any other collared shirt - but this pattern is far easier to get a neat finish than most of the other collar types I've sewn - and as you know - I've tried a few different types.

The fit is so comfortable - perfect for the office or a barbeque. The collar also sits flat and even - sometimes difficult to achieve on more complicated patterns.

See how flat the collar sits at the back - no rolling or lifting.

When comparing cotton lawn and viscose versions of the same shirt, I noticed that cotton lawn wrinkles less in the closet, while viscose wrinkles less when worn.

Using the Burdastyle magazine, you need to check your measurements to the pattern, as store-bought clothes sizes may not match the magazine's pattern size.

In Burda Easy, instructions are clearer and more detailed compared to the original Burda Style magazine. The Burda Easy version provides step-by-step guidance and visuals, unlike the original, which assumes prior experience and only lists the instructions. Sometimes they show a detailed lesson- but it may not be for the pattern you want to try.

Burda Easy patterns are easier to pick out from the pattern sheets - Burdastyle has multiple patterns in multiple colours printed on the same sheet and it can be confusing.

Sewing a project like this shirt again helps improve my understanding of the process and efficiency. I made a small error in the first attempt but corrected it in the second, resulting in a better finish, especially on the collar.

I used the same fabric as the rest of the shirt to make bias-binding to finish the collar, which concealed the raw edge and gave a neat look. This technique can be applied to hide seams in other garments as well. I would recommend making your own bias binding - it almost disappears. Bought bias binding sticks out like a sore thumb. 

To secure interfacing using bias binding, it's okay to have multiple joins in the bias binding as long as they are pressed flat and stitched carefully to prevent gaps or open seams when sewn into the garment.

I bought the viscose fabric at my local sewing shop and found they sell quality fabric with a good range of brands and prints. Don't forget to support your local fabric shop, or they won't be around for long.

Small businesses are also feeling the pinch.

As you can see, the bias binding I made almost disappears. It's a bit of extra work - but definitely well worth the result.

Finding matching bias binding is almost impossible - the fabric is unlikely to wash out the same. Using bought bias binding - although very neat in my Teal shirt - sticks out like a sore thumb. In future I will try to make my own.

To help maintain the shirt's shape, I top-stitched over the seams on the front, back and shoulders, similar to jeans construction, giving a crisp finish and enhancing comfort in warm weather. The seams tend to lay flat over the top of the shoulder.

I am considering sewing a shorter sleeve or longer-waisted version for different seasons, I find cotton lawn perfect for warm weather and viscose suitable for colder temperatures. The viscose gives a more formal finish than the cotton lawn which gives a very casual look.

If you want to buy cheaper fabric, buying in one metre length precuts often works out cheaper and depending on the sleeve length you choose, this shirt can be made from precuts without having seams in odd places.

Let me know if you sewed this pattern and show me on Facebook. Find me at @sewandeverything

I will post a youtube video soon.