Miss Celie

Burda Magazine 9/2012 #104: Superlong Turtleneck

I may never be able to leave my job if I lose Liz as my new photographer. Or I’ll have to take her with me.

Are you ready for some basics? I saw this Burda Magazine turleneck on Sew Skate Read  from September 2012   in an awesome stripey knit and decided I needed a few in my life. So, into  the ye-old-stash I went for my two versions (one black and and a stripey grey and black).

I wanted these tunic-style turtlenecks for transitioning my clothes into winter and comfy weekends in leggings. Plus, I’m visiting Ann Arbor, Michigan in February and am already DREADING the ten degree temp difference from Baltimore. I need all the layers I can get!

Alterations: Dartless FBA (One inch width, 3/4 inch length)  and a swayback adjustment. I have *got* to start shortening my shoulders on a regular basis. These are both too long by 1/2 inch in the shoulder.

These are so simple I’m really just showing them to keep a record for myself of what I’ve made and to show you the difference fabric can make.

This grey is another sweater knit that feels the same as my Purple Friday side gather top. Oh! I now know where the fabric comes from!! I bought it in Montreal during PR Weekend three years ago. I didn’t remember it because I was over my weight limit baggage wise and sent it home with my mother. From my post back then,

I bought so much, that I had to split the haul with the Colonel. I sent her back to Tampa with several sweater knits that I know I won’t be working with this summer

I didn’t get it back for another two years 🙂 So, I’d kind of forgotten about it. That purple and these two knits are all from Montreal.

Because the grey has a lot of stretch and a loose weave, it’s super scrunchy in the neck. The sleeves as drafted are supposed to be 1 1/4 inch longer than usual.


I never wear all black. I felt like a mime or a beatnik, LOL.

The black is a sturdy rayon double knit. I think I planned some kind of form fitting dress originally. But, as I was sewing, I regretted not using the material for leggings. It would have been perfect!

I’ve got a little pooling at the back waist. While I did slice and dice my way to a swayback adjustment, I decided to still cut on the fold to see the difference it made. Better than RTW, but more fitted with a center back seam.

While long, the turtlenecks work well both on their own and layered under other garments.  The other pattern version in the September issue is three inches shorter. I would make that version if you don’t see yourself wearing these over skinny pants.

Here’s how I layered them this week:

This dress has been worn like three times since I made it. I was sewn in 2011 from Burda Magazine 10/2009 #119. I was never really happy with it. I hate the way it flares out on the sides. My first version was much better.

My trusty tuxedo pants! These get worn weekly when the temps drop. The blazer was (funnily enough) also purchased in Montreal during PR Weekend from H&M.

First posted project of 2013 🙂

27 comments

  1. What a fun place for your pictures. The tops look great. I’m not sure there is a more practical workhorse of a clothing than black. I can see not wanting to wear it all together, but it just works with so many things.

  2. I’ve made this one too (with more to come). It’s such an easy and basic piece and I like that it’s not a tight-necked turtle, but kind of a half cowl. Looks really cute under the dress.

  3. I made this one too and love it! I used a burn out knit animal print thing from my fave half price part o the fabric store and I get compliments every time I wear it. You’ve got me thinking about making another seeing your lovely versions.

  6. Love these tops! I have no leggings, unfortunately – and consequently feel very not-with-it – time to fix this with some quick sewing of both leggings, and tops that go with this. Also, Ann Arbor is awesome – I used to live there! (And I still have fabric from PR Montreal, so you aren’t the only one at all.)

  8. Love both of your versions! I bet you will get a ton of use from them. I wear mine all the time – it’s a great top. And thanks for the shout out!

  11. Excellent tops and very versatile. Your photographer is doing a great job. We should all have us one of those!

  16. Great top and pics….I have to do some serious cajoloing to get decent pics of me wearing my creations…sigh. Thanks for Dartless FBA details…will try that on my Burda cut-on-sleeve turtle neck (09-2010) next winter.

  20. I wear turtlenecks all winter long, but have yet to make one. You may have inspired me to do so. I don’t like all black either, but with color, I love it. You look terrific in both of these, and I like the dress. I think you will be wearing these a lot. Score!

  21. These are both great tops that I am sure you will get tons of wear out of. Love the photos, I can see why you wouldn’t want to lose your photographer!

  22. Both of them are great looking on you! I especially like the outfit with the short jacket and the tuxedo pants.

  24. You are so cute! I came across a million of your photos looking for burda pattern pics. You are obviously an excellent sewist, but more than that you look like you love doing it. Always smiling. I am trying to take my mind off a minor tragedy in my life and your blog actually cheered me up. So thanks.

  25. this is really great – seeing how you work your pieces into your wardrobe. Your styling skillz deserve appreciation. I love the idea that a tuxedo can function as a wardrobe staple. I am in the planning stages of a tux jacket and I think it will be just as useful. Go you!

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