Have you checked out this pattern company?  It's Papercut from New Zealand.  I discovered them last summer and have loved all their styles.  This one, however, fit the bill for winter and cold weather!  I had to create it and fast-like.

Here's the description from the pattern envelope: 

The perfect turtleneck pattern to help ease you through the cooler months. This pattern has two completely different variations, a chic fitted version, or a dropped shoulder loose fitting option. These are wardrobe staples!

Fabric:  Jersey/Knit Fabrics. 

Merino/Wool Jersey, Cotton Knit, Cotton/Lycra, Viscose/Lycra.

Model is 5’9” / 176cm 

and wears NZ 8/XS | UK 8 | EU 36 | US 4

And the line drawings!  Both images are from the website.  

Here's my version.  This is actually my second make from this pattern.  My first is a ecru colored cotton-lycra knit from Stof.  This is a textured knit in this gorgeous colored tealish that I purchased from Fabric Mart eons ago.  I am not sure what took me so long to use it.  I just love the color and the fabric.  

That neck!  I just love it!  This is nicely oversized but not too much.

I made my usual alterations to the pattern by lengthening from the shoulder to the bust and lengthening the bust curve.  To accommodate that difference in the back, I lengthened this by the same amount at the lower hemline. I also found that the shoulders are made for someone with less sloping shoulders than I have.  I took those in about 1/2 inch at the shoulder/arm intersection.  Other than that, this is as the pattern is drafted. 

Just for reference, I am 5'7" and you can see this fits in the length but I don't want to do any dancing with my arms over my head in this or the world will see more than I want them to of my midriff.  

I will be making this often.  I hope you won't get tired of seeing me in it!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Yet another McCall's 6886

I can't stop pulling out this pattern!  I can't even tell you how many times I've created it.  This time, I used a heavily textured ponte from my stash.  I love this fabric!!!  

                  

See what I mean by heavily textured?  Isn't that red just lucious?  

With this pattern, I made my usual alterations: 

lengthened from the shoulder to the apex

Lengthened the bust curve

Added to back from the neck to the waist

added a seam across the back waist

I also played with the v-neckband a bit.  With every fabric, you have to test and see how the neckband will lie when it's sewn on.  Since my fabric was heavier, I had to stretch the neckband a bit more than the pattern called for.  The best and easiest thing to do is baste it on.  If it fits and looks great, permanently stitch.  If you need to alter, do so.  

I also added a side slit.  The sleeve length is perfect for me, even though I am 5'7".  

I am not done with this pattern.  Expect to see more makes from me!

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Pattern hacking--Simplicity 8375

Do you hack?  I do sometimes, but when I saw this Simplicity 8375 for $1, I knew I'd hack it to bits. 

I was especially intrigued by the lace up back.  Now this wouldn't be hard to do without the pattern, but for a dollar, I purchased it so all the thinking was done for me.  Cop out, right?   

I really wanted to make a tunic or dress but I didn't have enough of this mustard yellow textured knit.  I did have enough to make a long-sleeved top with the lace up back.  

I can see this pattern getting a lot of love, especially from me.  When I compared my measurements to the flat pattern, I made very few alterations to the pattern tissue.  Here they are, and BTW, these are usual for me.  

1.  Lengthen from the shoulder seam to the apex.  

2.  Lengthen the bust curve

3.  That's it, however since I did modify the front of the pattern piece, I also had to lengthen the back but I added the length below the waistline since the measurement from my nape to waistline was spot on.  

The instructions for this appear to be well written, logical, and well illustrated.  If you don't have a serger, the directions are so thorough for use of your regular machine, you'll be fine using that.   You can also see the topstitching I use on typically use on the hems and bands to stitch in place.  It reminds me a lot of the underside of a coverstitch machine.  It's my go-to finish.    

Above you can see how the lace/ties are attached on the inside.  I followed the directions for this and use simple plastic rings typically used in making draperies.  I sewed them on by hand.  As you can see, I try to use matching serger thread when it's available.  

I really like this top.  This may not be the best color for me, but whatever.  I like it.  I paired this with my most recent pair of Georgie pants by Style Arc. 

I won't review these again but will tell you that my fabric is super stretchy and a telio stretch woven. I purchased both fabrics from fabric.com.  

Thanks for reading!  I hope you are sewing some fun things!

Sue