Burda WOF/BurdaStyle 1/13 #115 + 116 women's skirt

Pattern for women's "sweat skirts" with slight a-line shape, sizes 36-44

Pattern #115 is for an above-knee-length skirt with a separate waistband and drawstring, #116 is for a maxi-skirt with a yoga-style waistband. Both use the same main pattern piece. The pattern instructions include directions for cutting the waistband - these are not included in the pattern pieces.

Link to website.

I combined the length from #116 with the waistband from #115 in size 36. My waist and hip measurements put me between sizes 36 and 38, and the skirt is still enormous through the waist:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psd47c536c.jpg

But, the drawstring does its job:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps12486083.jpg

Waistband detail:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps58c7d718.jpg

Overall, I am pleased with the fit. I am planning to make a knee-length version soon, and will take some of the width out of the waistband next time.

Full view, front:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps138aca18.jpg

Back:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps5d1d6c90.jpg

I used a fairly stretchy synthetic (blend?) jersey rather than the recommended sweatshirt fabric, which could have contributed to the larger-than-expected waist. The pattern also calls for washed silk for the waistband, which looks nice in the photos, but I didn't have any! I did use a matching satin I happened to have for the drawstring.

This skirt is easy to put together, but the instructions aren't great. This has been my experience with Burda magazine patterns in general. The skirt is easy, but the instructions make it more complicated than necessary. A beginner would probably have trouble with what is really a simple project. For example, I can see now from examining the photo on the website that perhaps the raw edge of the skirt piece is supposed to be left exposed? But that is not made clear in the instructions. I certainly didn't do mine that way!

I would recommend this pattern provided you are a confident beginner and/or already have some experience with basic waistband construction.