BurdaStyle Magazine: 02-2013-127 (Top)  - Type:Tops  | | Viewed 568 times
| 15 more reviews | Review rated Helpful by 2 people Very Helpful by 21 people | | Reviewed by: | grays08 | 
 | About grays08 | | IL USA | | Member since: 9/13/11 | | Reviews written: 55 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 12 people | | patterns reviewed: 55 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 1/24/13 4:54 PM | | Last Updated: | 2/13/13 1:13 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | Pattern Info provided by grays08 | | Pattern Rating: | Great Wardrobe Builder | | NEW! See reviews of patterns from this issue | | | | Fabric: | Poly-Lycra Knit [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| UPDATE 02/13/13 - I love this top after a few wears, however the neck binding is just too big and needs to have at least two inches taken out of it as it sags forward in the front center, and it's stabilized. So after my ingenious Steam-a-Seam basting, I'm not seeing that bugger come off so maybe for the next top....live and learn. If it looks too big when you're putting it on, fix it and don't keep plugging through! = )
Pattern Description:
A fitted, long-sleeved knit top with gathered raglan sleeves. This is also available for download on the BurdaStyle website.
Technical drawing of pattern
Pattern Sizing:
Euro 34-42. I made a size 40 for a 36" bust and this worked out well. This top fits exactly as it's depicted in the magazine (fairly clingy to the body) so if you prefer more ease, be forewarned. Not much forgiveness for lumps and bumps if you know what I mean....I would say it is very true sizing for Burda for a fitted knit. I always go with my bigger size on fitted knit patterns, and this was spot-on.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes. I would note that the length of the top is quite long for 127 (126 short sleeve has shorter length) but a nice length, kind of tunic length. I would say it comes to mid-hip on me. This is something you cannot tell from the Burda picture but is helpful to know.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes in the traditional Burda sense. = ) I really dislike it when they tell you to cut away the seam allowance on the neck edge, but they ALWAYS do this with bindings so I need to get over it. LOL!
There is something you need to watch with this particular pattern that affects 126 (short sleeve version), 127 and 128 (Dress w/flounce version). The cutting layouts show you putting the binding (piece a) on the fold which is ok however they tell you in all the directions to make this piece twice as long as it should be (while cutting picture shows the correct length). The length they tell you to make it is accurate only if it were not cut on a fold. So, make piece (a) half the length (keep the 4cm width but take half of the 70-75cm instructed for length) and place it on the fold like the cutting diagram.
The only other confusing thing for some might be the binding neck edge step if you don't sew from Burda much. As long as you pin the right side of the binding to the wrong side of the neck with the top of the binding aligned with the top of the neck edge, stitch along the first fold on top and fold the binding over to the outside and edgestitch from the right side, you are in good shape. I think their directions while accurate, are confusing, just treat it like you would do any other binding and you'll be in good shape.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes -
- Quick sew, great basic top
- Love raglan sleeves
- Only used 1 1/8 yard for 60" fabric - nice for a long sleeved, tunic length top
Dislikes -
- Even after cutting the neck binding the "correct size", I still found the binding to be a tad too long. I'm going to go back and take maybe another two inches off the length as I find the neck is too loose depending on how it's sitting. I didn't have to stretch it hardly at all when applying which I found odd, and I've found the necks do better if you have a little stretch when putting the binding on to hold shape well. I stabilized the neck however this was too big to start with so, shame on me! = )
- Neck binding - this is both a like and dislike. It produces a great result but can be tricky to achieve perfection. I found using Steam-a-Seam to baste the outer binding before I edgestitched with my coverstitch machine (chain stitch worked well here) kept the spacing nice and even all the way around. It also helped stabilize the seam I suppose.
- Recommended sleeve hem length for view 127 is 2 3/4" with the hem occurring at 2 3/8". This was not easy to achieve with my coverstitch machine (no free arm) - in hindsight I should have hemmed it before I sewed the sleeve seam. I do love the length of the hem, just wish I had thought of this first.
Fabric Used:
A polyester/lycra ITY knit from Fabric Mart Fabrics.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None other than I would recommend making the neck binding a tad shorter (maybe an inch?) if you are using a stretch knit. My neck seam was stabilized and still seems like it's got a little too much "play" in the binding, it would be nice to have it stretch slightly more when applying so it's held close to the body no matter how it's situated.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Absolutely - great basic pattern and once you trace this one off, you can use it for 126 (short sleeve) or 128 (dress w/flounce) which is wonderful, and I plan on doing both once I can go back and trace off the flounce piece!
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22 Comments
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Gorgeous top and very helpful review!
1/24/13 4:58 PM
I'm thrilled to see your review. I loved this the minute I saw it in the new issue last week. Thanks for a very helpful review full of detail and tips, especially regarding the bindings. I can't wait to make one.
1/24/13 5:22 PM
Thanks for your review. This top is one of the reasons I bought this particular Burda, so your warnings and tips are really welcome. I also can't wait to make one, yours looks great!
1/24/13 5:51 PM
It looks good, a well fitting and useful pattern to have in the repetoire. Your review is very thorough, thanks for the binding tips!
1/24/13 6:58 PM
Awesome! This was my favorite pattern in the magazine!
1/24/13 6:58 PM
Beautiful top! Thank you for your review; I just downloaded this top yesterday and have been biting at the bit to sew it up! I'll heed your warnings :)
1/24/13 7:39 PM
So cute! I was about to trace this one from a recent Burda magazine issue - so wonderful to see it made up in such a lovely color and with such a thorough review. Now I MUST make it!
1/24/13 7:45 PM
I loved this in the magazine, and your version is very wonderful. Thanks so much for pointing out the error in the pattern.
1/24/13 8:38 PM
Yes, I must make it, too! Yours looks great!
1/24/13 11:21 PM
So nice to see this made up. I've been looking at it since I received my magazine last week. Your top is beautiful. Thanks for the review.
1/25/13 0:15 AM
Perfect top and fit! Thanks for the review and for introducing me to this pattern.
1/25/13 5:59 AM
I like this top and your review is timely and helpful.
1/25/13 6:53 AM
That is a gorgeous top, looks like a perfect t-shirt.
1/25/13 7:16 AM
Really nice top! thanks for the helpful review.
1/25/13 7:37 AM
Love this! Great color and fit.
1/25/13 11:28 AM
Thanks for reviewing this, I just went and bought the downloadable pattern!
1/25/13 11:59 AM
Looks great!
1/26/13 2:46 PM
Fabulous top and great job. I already have mine traced out. Your review is very helpful. Thanks!
1/29/13 2:06 PM
Great review and wonderful top.
2/4/13 10:55 PM
Thanks for this detailed review. I'm taking notes as I get ready to sew this top. I especially appreciate your opinions about sizing since the flat pattern measurement was telling me this would fit very closely. I love the way the shirrings flatter your shoulder area. Nice work!
2/10/13 7:28 AM
I am currently sewing up the short sleeved version. Your top is gorgeous!
2/13/13 2:07 PM
Great top! And thanks for the tips, I'm always nervous about following Burda's instructions, even with the patterns they call Easy, there's always something confusing!! and when I read this pattern's instructions, the neck binding seam confusing, so I'll surely come back to read your review again for those tips!
3/3/13 7:41 AM