Etsy's Handmade Blog
Oktoberfest Memories With BurdaStyle
Story by BurdaStyle
Published on September 23, 2009 in This Handmade Life 		Photo by

Nora and Beni modeling BurdaStyle's Wiesn Dirndl

Open source sewing company BurdaStyle is a longtime friend of Etsy's (and a German one at that!), and when we saw their über-cute dirndl pattern on BurdaStyle, we had to let you know about it. "Based on the historical dress of Alpine peasants, the dirndl is the traditional dress of southern Germany and Austria. In Munich, wearing a dirndl is still a normal way to dress." If you use the dirndl pattern, make sure to show BurdaStyle your interpretation of it!

To get you in the mood, we asked Munich-native Benedikta von Karaisl to share some of her memories of Oktoberfest, both in German and English. 

Die online Nähplattform BurdaStyle ist ein langjähriger Freund von Etsy (und zudem noch deutsch!). Nachdem wir diese übersüßen Drindlmuster bei BurdaStyle gesehen haben, müssen wir euch davon erzählen. "Basierend auf der historischen Tracht der Alpenbauern, ist das Drindl die traditionelle Bekleidung in Süddeutschland und Österreich. In München ist es beispielsweise immer noch normal sich so zu kleiden." Falls ihr das Drindlmuster benutzt, müsst ihr eure Interpretationen davon unbedingt BurdaStyle zeigen!

Um euch in Stimmung zu bringen haben wir die aus München stammende Benedikta von Karaisl gefragt mit euch in Englisch und Deutsch einige ihrer Erinnerungen ans Oktoberfest zu teilen.

My name is Benedikta, and I run BurdaStyle.com with my partner in crime, Nora Abousteit. On BurdaStyle, you can find open source sewing patterns, lots of inspiration and sewing tips, and over 250,000 sewing obsessed ladies to mingle with. A true Bavarian, I am excited to share a bit about the two weeks in September that make my hometown of Munich, Germany world famous.

Hi, ich bin Benedikta und leite zusammen mit Nora Abousteit BurdaStyle.com in Brooklyn. Auf unserer Seite findet man alles ums Naehen herum, und mehr: Open-Source Schnittmuster, Inspiration und Naehtipps wie auch ueber 250.000 naehbegeisterter Mitglieder. Als waschechte Bayerin bin ich natuerlich sofort dabei ein bisschen was ueber das Oktoberfest zu erzaehlen, insbesondere da es das erste ist was den meisten ueber die Stadt bekannt ist.

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[Oktoberfest Hearts — Photo by Mark Briola on Flickr]

Growing up in the city of Munich is as peaceful as growing up in the countryside, with its picturesque neighborhoods and friendly residents. However, all of that changes during the last two weeks of September, when Bavaria’s breweries gather for its yearly Oktoberfest, the “Wiesn." Originally celebrated in honor of Ludwig I's wedding in 1810, it is now the world's largest fair with some 6 million people in attendance.

Wer in Muenchen aufgewachsen ist, kann bestaetigen: die malerische Innenstadt mit seinen freundlich grummeligen Bayern wirkt eher wie eine laendliche Idylle als eine Grossstadt. Damit ist’s allerdings dahin in den letzten zwei Septemberwochen, in denen in der Weltstadt mit Herz die Oktoberfestmusi den Ton angeben. Erstmalig veranstaltet als Pferderennen zu Ehren des Koenig Ludwig I in 1810, ist es mit seinen ueber sechs Millionen Besuchern heute das groesste Volksfest weltweit.

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[Wiesn Rides by schmollmolch on Flickr]

Besides rides and attractions, the main focus is traditional food and Bavaria’s beer. The fact that about 7 million liters of beer and 520,000 chickens are consumed illustrate Munich's festive spirit during those two weeks.

Nebst Wilder Maus und Schichtl ist natuerlich das Bier mit passenden Schmankerln die Hauptattraktion. Fakt ist, dass waehrend der Wiesn an die 520.000 Brathendl und knapp sieben Millionen Liter Bier und konsumiert werden. Das letztere liegt offensichtlich der allgemeinen Festeslaune zu Grunde.

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[Inside the tent by pokpok13 on Flickr]


My high school was so close to Oktoberfest that we would hear the Bavarian Umtata band sing from morning 'til evening. Hungry tourists and traditionally clothed Bavarians streamed by on their way to the Wiesn, only to return hours later with large Bretzn and a swing in their step. Since hotels are booked to the max, campers liked to park their vans on our school parking lot. As we would be late for first period, we would spot them getting ready in front of their campers to join the Wiesn. Those school days seemed to never end until the bell finally set us free to join the madness.

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[Oktobercouple by Cladia H, come back?? on Flickr]


Ich hatte das Glueck dass meine Schule so nah an der Festwiese lag, dass wir die Blasmusik den gesamten Tag bis in unsere Klassenzimmer schallen hoerten. Touristen wie Bayern geschmueckt in Dirndl und Lederhosn stroemten unter unseren Fenstern vorbei Richtung Oktoberfest nur um Stunden spaeter mit Brezn, singend oder tanzend wieder aufzutauchen. Da Hotels waehrend der Wiesn grundsaetzlich ueberbucht sind, hatten wir die Ehre hartnaeckigen Touristen mit ihren Campingwaegen auf unserem Schulparkplatz ein vorlaeufiges Zuhause bieten zu koennen. Das fuehrte hin und wieder zu dem Vergnuegen als Zuspaetkommer die Camper bei der Morgentoilette zu erwischen.
Schultage waehrend der Wiesn wirkten endlos, bis wir uns endlich unter die Festgaeste mischen und uns geniessen konnten dass es unsere Heimatstadt war, die waehrend zwei Wochen im Herbst Schauplatz des wohl ausgelassensten Festes der Erde ist.

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[Enjoying the festivities by ragingwire on Flickr]

Have you experienced Oktoberfest? Are you doing anything to celebrate this September? Leave it in the comments!

More Oktoberfest Posts | More Bilingual Posts | Shop Local Germany

Tags autumn, Bavaria, beer, bilingual, BurdaStyle, Burda Style, celebrations, culture, Deutschland, dirndl, Etsy International, Etsy World Tour, fall, German, Germany, holidays, lifestyle, Munich, Oktoberfest, party, patterns, seasonal, This Handmade Life, THIS HANDMADE LIFE, Wiesn
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82 comments     Login to add your own!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. lilworkerb

Amazing story! Love the pictures too.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. bylynnkrestel

i love burda! i used their pattern for my wedding gown!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:19 p.m. VixVintage

Terrific story, thanks so much!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. gloilocksandbody

I spent a bit of time living in Berlin as a child. Oktoberfest brings back fond memories! Fall was always a beautiful time of year in that city.

I wish I had a sexy dirndl to wear!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. BeadinBabe

What a great story! I love that sweet feather hat! :D

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. LuttrellStudio

Those tents are amazing! Looks like such fun!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. myzoetrope

Oktoberfest is so much fun!! I can't wait to go back someday.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. workingforpeanuts

I always love the posts from other countries. This one makes me crave a cold beer, though, and it's a little early for that. Thank you!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. LadyLuLus

So cool! I love that dress!

Great picks :)

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. chinadoodle

I think etsy should sell beer.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. tiemee

Thank you for sharing!! I found an outfit for my daughter!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. spacejam

Greetings to Germany!! =) I will drink some beer for Etsy fellows=)

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. BabbidgePatch

great article. I have not experienced Oktoberfest! Sounds like a fun time!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. spacejam

i love those Dirndl dresses..so cute

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. spacejam

und PROST!!!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. JellyfishJunk

chinadoodle, I second that! Homemade micro-brews are the best!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. RunLoriRun

Great article, inspiring photos. Thanks!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. TheCottageCheese

Adorable dirndl dresses! Happy Oktoberfest!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. blueskyclouds

These photos are just charming!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. Radness

Looks like fun! thanks for sharing :)

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. WiseOwlArt

I dig micro brews.

:D

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. paramountvintage

i LOVE drindl dresses.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. paramountvintage

p.s. thanks for featuring my 60's embroidered mini dress!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. 1AEON

Burda is awesome!!!!!!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. LuminousDreamDesigns

Love the pictures! Looks like a ton of fun!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. bythewayside

I celebrated Octubafest once with 100 tubas! That was fun, too :)

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:35 p.m. sineminugur

Love the pictures

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. baconsquarefarm

Enjoyed all the pictures and story about oktoberfest. We live near New Ulm Mn and they still have a celebration-Octoberfest each year~ Schells brewery is located there. Like your shop too~!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. beautifulbridget

Yay, I love this time of year!!!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. handyhandscorner

When I arrived to Munich some two years ago, just at the end of September, I didn't know about Oktoberfest, or to be more exact, I didn't realize it was the time of Oktoberfest. (We live pretty close, although in Czech Republic). Almost EVERYBODY was dressed either in dirndl or Lederhosen (leather shorts) and for serious few minutes I was perplexed and I thought people really love their folk costumes there.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4 p.m. lovelygifts

Great story.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. poppyswickedgarden

Oh this is so cool! I love all of the great photos! We are planning on going to Oktoberfest this year to get in tough with our German roots and possibly drink some yummy German beer;)

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4:06 p.m. aBreathofFrenchair

Love the beer soap!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. Morado

I always love the posts from other countries!!!!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. pinkytoeclothing

Thanks for this article! The dirndls are amazing!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4:22 p.m. recycledwares

great article and love the multi languages.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4:23 p.m. MyMoms

Great article, love the picks!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. DalkullanJewelry

It would be such fun to go to Munich for Oktoberfest! Thanks for a great article BurdaStyle!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. ArtDecoDame

lovin' the picks!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. GlassArtByMargot

I was born in Germany but raised in N.Y.C. You wouldn't believe it, but in my teens and early 20's I belonged to a Schuhplattler Club. We performed traditional Bavarian dances for Oktoberfests all over NY. Even competed in national competitions and performed on cruise ships. I met my husband in that club! We are in TX now, but we still celebrate Oktoberfest. This year we're planning a big party with bratwurst, potato salad, spaetzle, maybe even some goulash. Unfortunately, my dirndls no longer fit. :)

Prosit!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. PoleStar

I have spent time in Germany, waiting tables and having a lot of fun. I miss it greatly and had a lot of fun at the festivals. That one looks fantastic.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. ChloesRuffleButt

Very cool story!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. emilybidwell

Great article! I can't wait to have our own oktoberfest here in NY! Thanks for sharing.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 5:38 p.m. OffTheHooks

oh, such good memories at the Hofbräuhaus...

Sept. 23, 2009 at 6 p.m. livelovemaria

Thanks for this great story. I will be going to a couple local Oktoberfest events. I also want to make the download-able Burda pattern of the Dirndl (traditional German dress) for Halloween.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 6:26 p.m. bananastrudel

Da dies auf Deutsch und Englisch geschrieben wurde, muss ich auch 'mal so schreiben! Vielen Dank fuer den netten Artikel. Was waere Muenchen ohne Oktoberfest und Dirndl? Und vielen Dank, dass Sie meinen Stadtplan v. Muenchen auch erwaehnt haben!
-------
Since this was written in German and English, I must do the same! Thank you for the nice article. What would Munich be without the Oktoberfest and Dirndls? And thank you very much, too, for mentioning my Munich city map!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 6:37 p.m. poppyfox

I love that blue vintage dress, I stumbled upon it the other day!

Sept. 23, 2009 at 6:47 p.m. florigander

This is great! I visited Munich a few months ago and it was truly beautiful. I want to go back. The people were all so nice, the food was great, and the beer was magical. The Hofbrauhaus was one of the most fun places that I have ever been - people from all over the world sitting down to have a beer and a chat with eachother.

Sept. 23, 2009 at 7:08 p.m. BLUERAINBOW

great happy article! love those pictures..

Sept. 23, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. JoyandWhimsy

Happy Oktoberfest to all!

DRINKING THE OLD FASHIONED WAY….FROM A STEERHORN! Vintage print for Oktoberfest:
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Other German and Germanic, vintage, Fashion prints:
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http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Sept. 23, 2009 at 9:33 p.m. wristielove

burda or bust! i just had to snag 'lady of the house' by pequod. the dog looks identical to my dog phoebe. thanks for the awesome picks :)

Sept. 23, 2009 at 9:57 p.m. thirtyonedesigns

How fun! I've never been to an Oktoberfest, but now I want to go :)

Sept. 23, 2009 at 10:04 p.m. girltuesdayjewelry

Great story! I would LOVE to go to Oktoberfest! Looks like a fun time. I'm intrigued by the Octoberfest hearts in one of the photos. Can you eat them? (can you tell I'm hungry?!!)

Sept. 24, 2009 at 4:57 a.m. Iammie

Love this fest!

Sept. 24, 2009 at 5:23 a.m. maijutzeler

Love BEER and love the FEST! CHEERSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Sept. 24, 2009 at 7:05 a.m. thedapperdarling

We are going for one night this year. Im really excited...I didnt know people dressed in the native gear...exciting...now what am I going to wear???? ahhhhhhhh

Sept. 24, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. ooty

what a lovely post. Burda is great

Sept. 24, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. beenie2847

soo pretty! too cute! always love a good beer garden girl for style inspiration!

Sept. 24, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. HazelHoney

Sounds like fun and educational too knowing the roots and meaning of Oktoberfest.

Sept. 24, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. SmallEarthVintage

Yay! I love this time of year. We're attending our local Oktoberfest this coming weekend. This article really puts me in the mood. Thanks, Etsy and BurdaStyle!

Sept. 24, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. shopgoodgrace

It looks so fabulous! Such fun, happy images. :)

Sept. 24, 2009 at 12:04 p.m. SuppliesHandcrafted

I really enjoyed this!! Thanks!

Sept. 24, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. jodieflowers

One of my favorite times of the year!

Sept. 24, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. EJPcreations

How cute! It calls to my German heritage!

Sept. 24, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. bhangtiez

Great story...thanks 4 sharing!

Sept. 24, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. odiliafu

Love the photos! Amazing!!

Sept. 24, 2009 at 8:11 p.m. anadiazarte

Nice post!

Sept. 25, 2009 at 6:55 a.m. niswanderceramics

Very beautiful, looks like so much fun!

(and I agree etsy should sell beer;)

Sept. 25, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. copperandglass

Beautiful dirndl. . . i worked in a restaurant 25 years ago that used the traditional dirndl as our waitress uniform, and it felt so festive and feminine!

Sept. 25, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. konkokto

please... that´s not everything Germany stands for. I´m from Germany and my style is different. and VEGAN. ha !

Sept. 25, 2009 at 9:32 p.m. katieanneclothing

LOVE it!!

Cheers!

Sept. 26, 2009 at 1:43 a.m. mvanhandel

My wife and I were in München for Oktoberfest 2 years ago and even at that hectic time in the city everyone we met was friendly, helpful and outgoing. The city is the true meaning of gemuchlichkeit. I cannot wait to go back.

The only problem is that I cannot get Andechser in America.

Prost!

Sept. 26, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. TheFluffyDuck

Visiting the Oktoberfest was one of the best experiences of my life and was the highlight of my year studying in Germany. I'm hoping to visit again one day...

Sept. 26, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. jbeaudet

What a fun story! Oktoberfest rocks!

Sept. 27, 2009 at 9:42 p.m. MetroGypsy

I raise my stein to this article! FUN!

Sept. 28, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. LittleWhiteDresser

Great one!!!

Sept. 28, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. cassidycay

Enchanting photos!

Sept. 28, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. moonlightbindery

I met my husband at Oktoberfest!

Oct. 1, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. konkokto

Berlin is so much cooler !
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php...

Oct. 6, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. MyArtfulThings

Love it! I miss Germany. Greetings to ALL "Etsy members" in Germany!! Liebe Gruesse

Nov. 16, 2009 at 5:11 p.m. RoyalBabyYoungblood

Ich bin Erlernen der deutschen Sprache mit Hilfe von meinen Cousinen und Tante, die das Leben in Deutschland. Dies ist ein sehr guter Artikel zum Lesen der Praxis. Ich liebe das Dirndl.

With Love ASY from the USA!

Nov. 16, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. RoyalBabyYoungblood

Ich bin Erlernen der deutschen Sprache mit Hilfe von meinen Cousinen und Tante, die das Leben in Deutschland. Dies ist ein sehr guter Artikel zum Lesen der Praxis. Ich liebe das Dirndl.

With Love ASY from the USA!

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