Stripe Up the Bands and Welcoming 2013

Here is a Burda Style pattern I made a few months ago. My construction details are somewhat "cloudy".  I would describe it as a cowl top with long sleeves and side-ruching.  

I made this top three months ago and was not too thrilled about it that I left it literally and technically "unfinished" (at the sleeve and lower hems).  The type of fabric, fit, and my job with the neckline made me hide it in my "not certain" section of my wardrobe.  I found a "scrap" of this top's fabric in my sewing area which prompted me to "rediscover" this top and wear it today.


The pattern came in a ,isses' 34-36-38-40-42.  I traced and sewed a 38 at the shoulders and a 40 elsewhere.

The fabric I used seems like a sheer cotton/poly blend knit, purchased from EOS.

If I recall correctly, I did not experience too much difficulty with the directions and the overall construction.  The back of the neckline was questionably clear, and I used what I felt was the most convenient method at the time.

I sewed a strip of store-bought bias binding to the back edge of the neckline and turned it to the inside with the front facing.  For the side ruching, I stretched and stitched and  a 7" long of 1/4" wide elastic along the lower right side.

Likes/Dislikes
I like the modest depth of the cowl neckline and that there were only three main pattern pieces to work with, the front, back, and sleeve.

But less relevant to the pattern was I was not satisfied with my questionable results.  I was not impressed with my quality of sewing with this top.  But I will give myself an excuse that this was my first attempt with the pattern.


Alterations/Modifiations
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 did not "ruch" the sleeves and instead stitched a tiny hem at their ends. I might have shortened their lengths before stitching (my memory is hazy).

I did not hem the lower edge (which I usually do as a force of habit), which had a tendency to "curl" anyway (just like one the Burda Style model wore), and accept it as a "style feature".

Other Thoughts
I am not sure if I will sew another top from this pattern, however,  I still would recommend this pattern for Burda Style magazine "newbies" or as a simple gratification project.  It would be helpful to make a muslin or first-time version with "cheaper" fabric to get an idea how the top fits.   It also is an ideal pattern to showcase a distinctive print of a knit.

Thank you for visiting, have a happy new year and happy sewing!

 "Test driving" a 2013 Mazda convertible

Heather on a BMW scooter and her father nearby

Peace from the KIA Hamster and Heather at the San Diego Auto Car Show for 2013
 

Some Sewing, Sympathies, and Sunshine

I purchased this Burda pattern (#7742) last week after seeing it on the Burda fashion  website:

 

No description was provided on the pattern envelope. Here's my translation from the French website of Burda Style: "A form fitting top ideal for skirts and slacks. The top comes in a choice of long sleeves with gathered sleeve heads or sleeveless. The sleeveless has an option for back enclosures. For the neckline, you have a choice of a turtleneck or a round neckline..." The patterns calls for the use of 2-way stretch knits.

Pattern Sizing:
Misses' 36 38 40 42 44 46. I sewed a "40".

Something to be aware of are the 2" hem at the lower edge of the top and at the lower edge of the sleeves. After my typical petite adjustments and the 2" hem, I found the top still exorbitantly long, which did not work well with its form-fitting or body hugging style on me. I used a belt to interrupt the length or to add some aesthetic balance.

This is the first time that I tried a Burda "Young Fashion". I should have gone up a size from my typical Burda "40" to a "42" at the bust and sides for this pattern due to it being more fitted. I did not decrease to a "38" at the neck and shoulders as I usually do with standard Burda Style magazine patterns.


I used a foxes-print rayon jersey from emmaonesock.com

Pattern Directions

Although I did not use them after sewing a Burda Style turtleneck from the September 2012 issue, the directions of Burda patterns from the envelopes are usually better than the very brief or less explicit directions encountered in the Burda Style magazines.


Favorite and Not-So Favorite Features

I liked the simplicity of construction with only 4 pattern pieces: the front, back, sleeve, and turtleneck piece (rectangular). I also liked the depth of the turtleneck, neither constrictive nor low enough to qualify to be a "cowl". MNBarb's description in her review is much better: "It's somewhere between chokey and cowl." The neckline would seem simple to adjust to make it look more like a standard turtleneck.

The only thing that I least liked is the sizing does not seem to correlate with misses' Burda. Going up a size or two would have seemed to work better for me.

Modifications/Alterations:
*My typical 1" petite adjustment at the waistline.

*Due to a fabric deficit, I shortened the sleeves 5 1/2", which landed nearly an inch above my wrists. To give you an idea of the sleeve length, if I had used the original length of the sleeves and the 2" inch hem, I estimate that the resulting length would surpass my wrists by an inch.

*I sewed in the sleeve heads to armscyes flat (before stitching side seams) instead of "setting them in".

I plan sew this again due to its comfort, versatility of style, and its simple construction. I definitely recommend this pattern for the same reasons.

This pattern is a nice staple of any wardrobe. Maybe that is one reason why it has been around for several years.


More thoughts
My heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the departed children and adults, the survivors, and their families of Newtown, Connecticut. It hurts to think of what happened to our innocent brothers and sisters.  I hope and pray for peace, harmony, safety, and love in today's world. 

Yesterday, we watched our community of young dancers/performers participate in their dance company's yearly holiday recital.  The children again delighted us with a wonderful show.  Their presence not only lights up the stage, but all of our lives.  They represent not only our hope, but also the hope of families of Newtown and those all over the world for a promising future.