burda style 09/2010-121 again and again

I REALLY love this turtleneck pattern.

So I made it a few more times!  The pattern is burdastyle 09/2010-121, a 3 piece turtleneck with a cut on collar and long sleeves (for scrunching).  This version is made of a super thin rib knit that I got at Walmart.  This stuff has zero recovery, so it really isn't good for much, but it actually works quite well in this pattern.

This version is made from a medium weight interlock given to me by a good friend.  It is super soft and cuddly, but definitely firmer and heavier than the rib knit.  Still, it works beautifully with this pattern.  I am really impressed with the breadth of fabric weights and stretch factor that really works with this.  I have so far used slinky, rib knit and interlock, but I have another cut out of ITY, and I've seen out there in blogland and on PR every kind of knit fabric imaginable.  While I have been a bit disappointed with burdastyle lately, this one is a clear winner, and worth tracking down the September issue for.

And lest you should think that I gave birth and then headed straight for my sewing machine, I made these and Myra's top last week.  Now I think that I am all caught up on posting projects, so it may be a little quiet around here for a bit.  At least until after Christmas, then I have a few fun things to show you!

burda style 09/2010-121 and self-drafted skirt

I made an entire outfit in one day!!  I love instant gratification sewing!

Doesn't it look fancy?  The top is burda style (BWOF, whatevs) 09/2010-121.  I think everyone in blogland has sewn this turtleneck, and I can totally see why!  (Here's Dawn's, Cidell's, Karen's - I know I'm missing a couple!)  It went together so easily, which isn't a total surprise since it is only 3 pattern pieces.

The turtleneck is cut on in one piece with the body, so there is no seam at the neckline.  Very nice!  It has a self-facing that you stitch together at the side seams, which makes the attachment invisible.  Burda's instructions even actually made sense for this one.  The only changes I made were to remove the ease from the sleeve cap, and to sew the sleeve in flat.  I also added an inch to the length to cover the baby bump.

Here is the back - so sleek!  The fabric is a Chico's slinky from Buttons and Bolts.  I really love wearing slinky, but it sure is a pain to sew.  I used the Sandra Betzina hemming method that she publishes with her Today's Fit knit patterns - fusing the hem with steam a seam before twin needle stitching.  It did help stabilize that slippery, stretchy slinky and made my experience much better.  I also have recently started using wooly nylon thread in the bobbin when I twin needle.  It makes a HUGE difference in how stretchy my hems are!  I have had problems in the past with my twin needle hems popping, and they just dissolve away.  The wooly nylon really helps them stretch a ton, which the slinky requires.

The skirt is "self-drafted", which I put in quotes because it is really just two squares.  The waistband is a yoga style fold-over waistband.  No elastic so it is comfortable to wear, even as I get bigger by the minute.  I used a poly knit for the waistband as well as lining.  The slinky was a bit sheer.

The only thing that saves it from being a giant tube is a knee high slit at center back.  As an outfit it is a bit blah, although it should be fun to accessorize.  I'm looking forward to the mix and match potential...

But does it fit at 30 weeks of pregnancy??

Why yes, yes it does!  So, how would you accessorize this very blank palette?