Mare-all Streeped with Burda Style's Turtleneck Dress

The September 2012 issue really impressed me.  I wish I had the time to trace and sew the styles I like.  With many non-Burda patterns in my stash waiting to be sewn, I selected what seemed to be 2 of the simplest patterns, very suitable for beginners and the first-time Burda user.  Obviously, these two patterns will not "improve" my current sewing level.  At least they will quickly add more basic and practical pieces to my current wardrobe.

I sewed pattern 104 B (longer version), knit turtleneck top with long sleeves.

Trend alert: turtleneck dresses and dresses with horse print.  

ABS Turtleneck dress from Saks Fifth Avenue $188

Sizes: Burda misses' 36, 38, 40, 42, 44.  I sewed a 38 at the shoulders and a 40 elsewhere.

Fabric used: rayon jersey with horse print

Another trend alert: A shirt dress with horse print by ASOS

Although I am not a fan of the Kardashians, here's Kourtney looking fashionable in the ASOS shirt dress and a pair of animal print pumps:

Now, returning to the topic of Burda Style's turtlenecks:

 

Favorite features of Burda Style pattern 104, turtleneck tops:
I cannot complain but rave about this pattern for being very easy to sew,  having a timeless style paired with a skirt and/or slacks, and being an ideal under layer piece.  The depth of the neckline is fine and the collar is not constricting.  I was not surprised at the top being form-fitting and curvature revealing.   With just a few more inches, the longer version can easily be transformed into a turtleneck dress, which would look wonderful with boots for the autumn and winter season.  I traced and cut the "longer" version, so that I can later cut and hem to my desired length.  But that plan changed after I figured out what to do with the remnants, instead of leaving them in a some bag for in indeterminate amount of time that I call "future projects with scraps of fabric in a bag".


Directions:
They are typical Burda Style: brief, right to the point, with possibly a few sentences that can be rewritten for a better understanding (maybe due to translation to English) such as "stitch narrow collar edges together (centre back seam)" to "stitch, right sides together, the center back seam (of the rectangular piece for the collar) along the lengthwise grain".   If you have sewn basic tops with a front, back, and sleeves, and especially turtleneck tops, you can rely on your experience and skill to sew the top.  One module I heed is the "cutting out" module specifying the  pattern pieces and the amount of each to be cut.  The collar is cut from a rectangular piece with lengths and widths that correspond to the sizes 36-44.

Modifications:
I performed my typical 1" petite adjustment above the waist  and narrowing of the upper center back  (3/8" taken out from the upper center back, tapering to 0" just past the lower armscye.).

I shortened the sleeves 1" from the bottom so that they land above my wrists.

The remnant of fabric in the form of a nearly perfect rectangle with width a little over one foot appeared "tempted" to be transformed into something other than a tie belt.  Maybe I was having a fashion flashback from 1980's: I decided to transform the longer version of the top into a dress with a banded bottom, while envisioning its horse print running perpendicular to the horizontal horse print of the top/dress, for a special geometric effect.  What "creative" way to evade top-stitching the lower hem by substituting it with some "spur-of-the-moment design feature". To create the banded "tube", I stitched the center back seam, right sides together, of a rectangular piece whose circumference ended up being 1 1/4" shorter than that of the lower edge of the top, folded the band in half, and sewed it (while stretching a little) to the lower edge of the top.

The Necks Time
I was pleasantly surprised to discover how flattering and fuss-free this turtleneck top is!    I plan to sew more with variations in sleeve and neckline types.  If you have this issue, give this pattern a try. It can easily be one of those "sew-in-the-morning-wear-it-in-the-afternoon" projects.

Next on the sewing queue,  top #130 (muslin version already done):