December 1, 2016

#FAYE'S SEWING LIFE - A Turtle or A Zebra?...

...i've been wanting to make a few turtleneck knit tops to fill a wardrobe gap.  I made the first one (here) using oop Kwik Sew 1287 that fits perfectly.  However,  I wanted to use a different pattern for the second top - this time I wanted a funnel neck instead of a turtle neck.  I toyed with the idea of trying to redraft the Kwik Sew pattern making it into a funnel, but couldn't wrap my brain around doing that.  A little research lead me to StyleArc's Debra Zebra top.  I've never worked with StyleArc patterns before but went ahead and downloaded it anyway. 

The jury's still out about me liking PDF patterns, but with a strong cup of coffee and lots of scotch tape I was able to make it through.  I choose my size range based on my bust measurement, but afterwards wondered if I should have used my high bust measurement instead.  Hind sight!  I choose a colorful ITY knit to use as a muslin.  The results:  I'm in Love with my muslin and the neck is really comfortable.  I'm sure that this will not be my last StyleArc pattern.
I didn't realize that the paisleys were so large until after the top was finished.

My wearable muslin adds a much needed pop of color.
Have you ever made a funnel neck garment???

29 comments:

  1. Cute top Faye! I haven't made a funnel neck but I do need more tops in my closet. I'm with you on PDF's...I usually end up loving the pattern but the process to get there...ugh! Thanks for the tip on using the high bust measurement!

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    1. I love having my neck covered in the winter - so cozy! Several people have advised me to use the high bust measurement especially when sewing knits. I just need to remember to do that.

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  2. Beautiful top. I love everything paisley and I prefer the funnel neckline. Those purple colors really pop.

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    1. Thank you so much! I loved wearing it.

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  3. I have an old Vogue funnel neck pattern that I really love. Turtle neck shirts irritate my neck so I don't wear them. Your muslin is great! As far as PDF's - I don't! Did it once and that was it for me!! LOL!!

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    1. Carol this pattern had 41 pages can you believe that?, I couldn't! I will do a pdf occasionally when I feel that I just can do without it.

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  4. Lovely top Faye!!! I love the colors also ... FIESTA ;)

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    1. Thank you - I love the colors in this print.

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  5. I made one last year for my Christmas outfit. I don't remember the pattern number off hand. It was a big 4 pattern. After I made it, I wish I would have opted for a more traditional turtleneck with a seam. I tacked down the facing at the shoulder seams, but I think I want to go back and try to invisibly tack it down by hand all the way around. Curious how this pattern dealt with this.

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    1. I should add that your top looks great! You have your fit and style nailed down. You wear it well!

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    2. Thank you so much Cindy!

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    3. Cindy this pattern has you turn the funnel inward (wrong sides together) and then tack on each side seam. It stays in place too, without flipping outward.

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  6. I didn't know that's what they are called but I love funnel necks and how smooth they look vs. turtlenecks! I made a BurdaStyle pattern with one that is a fav. Yours is a beauty.

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    1. Thank you so much Helene! I'm in love with this top!

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  7. What a great fit, and the print is so fun on you. I love funnel necks over turtlenecks because they're a little softer. The funnel drapes a little like a cowl would just in a smaller area creating a really pretty, less severe look. There's a Burdastyle pattern I've used and love 9-2010-121? I think it's labeled a turtleneck technically, but the neck is cut-on and folds over creating the funnel neck and giving you a little more room for your head and neck.

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    1. Thank you so much Elizabeth! I actually have that same Burdastyle magazine and had planned on tracing it, but when I unfolded it and looked at that road map, I just couldn't bring myself to tackle it. I chose the StyleArc pdf instead - crazy huh?. PDF taping or road map it was a toss up. Both are tough.

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    2. I've kind of learned to live with tracing, but it requires good music and lots of strong tea. :) I'm with you on the PDFs. It's so frustrating to want to get to work on a pattern then have to print, cut, tape, likely trace anyhow, and have to cut again before you even touch fabric. I'm working on an outdoor jacket for my husband right now. I had bought a great pattern from a Finnish outdoor company. I was so excited that a real printed pattern was coming my way, and it came as printed sheets to be assembled. I wanted to cry.

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    3. Can't wait to see the project for your husband. Yes, pdf's make me want cry too.

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  8. I hate pdf patterns. Taping is worse than tracing. This looks nice but I agree that you should use the upper bust for sizing.

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    1. Nancy I'll tell you - you are so right about pdf and taping! QUESTION: Should I use the upper bust measurement when choosing sizes for woven fabrics as well???

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  9. I really like this one! Funnel necks are everywhere now, aren't they? I reckon they're pretty chic.

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    1. I'm really loving them and thinking about making more!

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  10. Ms. Faye, I like both. And I especially love your zebra funnel neck top. Super cute. Recently, I downloaded the Closet Case Ginger jeans pattern. It does take a lot of tape and a bit of time before you get to cutting out your project. The process was close to tracing off a BurdaStyle Magazine pattern. From the looks of your zebra top, it was worth it.

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    1. You are right Cennetta the time to tracing and taping would have been about the same time, but I just could not deal with Burda's spaghetti road map lines that day - it's so confusing. Can't wait to see your Ginger jeans. I've been want them and the Morgans,

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  12. That top's really cute! I love the black skirt with the black boots, too. I'm not fond of PDF download patterns, either; the scotch tape and lines don't like each other!

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    1. Thank you Marjie! Yes I accidentally miss-cut several pages but it all worked out pretty good.

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  13. Now that's a muslin! Very pretty, Faye. As far as funnel necks I've done the Sewing Workshop Tea Garden tee. You've inspired me to maybe try that again. It's a funnel that goes into a vee and has some shape to it, a timeless design. Like your current beauty, it can be made so many times and ways.

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    1. Thank you Bunny. I got really excited about the funnel.

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