Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Personal best

Fabric, $20,

Burda Magazine subscription, $80.

Finishing a September pattern in August with fabric purchased on August 28th? Priceless.


I tried to post the patternreview last night, but the 3 month long Wardrobe Contest was ending, and it was just taking too long. Plus, I have to admit . . . I have dialup, and it doesn't deal well sometimes.

There. I said it. I have dialup. I also don't have a laptop, a phone that does anything more than make phone calls, or a serger.

It's okay, you can call me low-tech. I've been called a luddite by the really creative.

Here's the review:

Pattern Description: This turtleneck pullover with extra-long slim sleeves looks great with trousers/pants and skirts as well as underneath dresses. We suggest you sew up this simple style in several colors.

Wow, I actually agree with every word in that little blurb. That's a first.

Pattern Sizing: I used my standard BWOF size 38. I tend to make their patterns in 38 in knits and 40 in wovens. This fit true to size.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except theirs were in solid white and black. Where's the fun in that?

Were the instructions easy to follow? Surprisingly, I looked at them and they made sense. How often does BWOF do that? Of course, they still have you sew the shoulder and side seams, then ease in the sleeve. Why? What's wrong with setting sleeves in flat in knits? Which is what I did, and it worked. I mainly looked to see how they handled the turtleneck, which was to tell you to fold it on the fold line, pin it and then turn it back outwards so that the seam allowances can be sewn together so the collar doesn't roll. It makes sense when you think about it.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It's a great basic, and I thought what I wanted to do with it was make a few solid color tops for use under dresses and jackets in my very cold office. But then the fabric took over and it became something slightly different.

Fabric Used: Rayon/lycra blend from Metro Textiles, purchased during the PR NYC Shopping Day on 8/28/10. Wow, a late August fabric purchase and a September BWOF pattern, done by August 31st. This might be a personal best.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Nothing substantive. I would note that the sleeves are REALLY long on this one, longer than I would have expected given their description. I cut some excess off at the wrists and re-tapered them. I also took a little off the sleeve cap because I wanted to set it in flat instead of ease-stitching it, which always strikes me as pointless in a knit.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I'll definitely make this again - maybe next time in those practical solids I had planned to use. I like the fact that this gives the illusion of a turtleneck without actually being snug around my neck, which I find very uncomfortable, or having a seam at that point. This is actually more of a modified funnel-neck or mock-turtleneck, and I think it's more flattering than a classic turtleneck.

Conclusion: BWOF does two things well, really on-trend interesting pieces, and great basics. This would definitely go in the great basic category. I can see myself using this pattern over and over.

16 comments:

SEWN said...

Love it. Great fabric!!!

Little Hunting Creek said...

Great turtleneck - and I love that fabric :)

Elaine Finn said...

Hi Karen! The fabric is absolutely the coolest thing ever. And the speed-sewing is quite impressive too. Well done.

Rosie said...

Karen, the fabric is a great choice!

Beangirl said...

I love this. Plus, totally jealous of your speed in getting it out. Plus, totally jealous of the fabric.

Word Verification: "gerolly". Well, gerolly, I love this turtleneck!

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed! You are extraordinarily stalwart to maintain a blog with dial-up.
Thank you for sharing the lovely pictures and review. I'll definitely check out that pattern.
MNStitch.com

Gail said...

The fabric is really out there.

SewRuthie said...

Very nice! I might go trace this off now :D

Elaray said...

Wow! You are fast! The fabric looks even better now that it's a top!

meredithp said...

Looks great, and the speed at which you completed it...amazing! And to be perfectly honest, I didn't realize there was dial-up anymore. Who knew? I admire your tenacity in being online at all. ;-)

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Amazing! Amazing first because of the fabric, second because you've used a Sept BWOF pattern already and third because you came home and just did it! Amazing!

Michelle said...

Wow, that is a fantastic top! Oh, and don't feel bad about the wireless and the phone that only makes phone calls. A friend of mine asked to borrow my cell phone the other day to make a call (she couldn't find her blackberry) and when I handed my phone to her she took one look at it and said "My god....you're practically Amish."

Rose said...

Wow!! Wow to your personal best, wow to the fabric, and wow to the top. This pattern sounds like an excellent basic with TNT potential.

The Slapdash Sewist said...

That is really impressive haste! But you're killing me with the turtleneck and the long sleeves. I am not ready for cold!

tawnya said...

Hello! WOW! I love your fabric choice! It's so beautiful! I love pink and white together. I'm encouraged to seek out turtleneck"ish" patterns now. But not Burda (I'm intimidated!) LOL

I found your site on patternreview.com. I'm glad you posted it there. I just put my first pattern review up last night. I'm out to make some online sewing friends, as I am a beginner! You made it easy to find you by advertising your site at patternreview. Thanks for doing that!

Angela said...

Ooo... great top! I love the fabric!