Here’s another variation on the Flashback tee that I love to make for my kids — the turtleneck! Again, this can be easily done with ANY tee, as you’ll see in the how-to (below).
I love stripes! And though this turtleneck doesn’t really follow my “more color” rule, there’s something about stripes that I just can’t get enough of, even when they are more subtle color-wise. I think navy and off-white is quite possibly my favorite stripe color combo. Maybe black and off-white.
Elliot loves this turtleneck. He wears it with these green cords whenever he can (or with these radio pants, an outfit that gets a lot of comments, let me tell you, whenever we go out). And as you can see, it looks great with the new rain boots (but who am I kidding? EVERYTHING looks good with rain boots!)
Love this kid. I know most of you will never meet him, but I love that you can tell exactly what his personality is like from these pictures: happy, slap-happy, silly, totally goofy. He’s a total joy to be around. Such a happy boy!
Making a turtleneck is almost exactly like making the normal neckband on the Flashback tee, except you make the neckband a little longer and wider (so it can fold over). The neckband is just a rectangle, and for the turtleneck I make it 8.5″ tall and as wide as the length around the neckhole. I think the graphic here is pretty self-explanatory — just don’t forget to pin and sew the turtleneck to the outside of the tee, so that when it flips up you won’t see the stitches or seam.
I like to sew the neckband to the tee with my serger, but you can also use a narrow zig-zag stitch on a regular machine. It’s important NOT to use a straight stitch or a walking foot here, because in those cases your stitches will break when it gets pulled over the head.
This post is part of Celebrate the BOY, a series of boy sewing posts hosted by me and Dana of MADE. Here’s what we’ve done so far:
DAY 1: Rae: Saffron Pants and Color Roundup / Dana: 5 Steps to the Basic Tee
DAY 2: Rae: Little Bit of Color Hoodie / Dana: Pants Roundup
DAY 3: Rae: Hoodie Tutorial / Dana: Kids Shorts/Pants with Back Pocket Tutorial
Head over to made to see what Dana’s up to! or check out my Celebrate the BOY archives for even more boy sewing posts! And don’t forget to add your photos to our Celebrate the BOY Flickr group!
20 Responses to Show Your Stripes turtleneck
Leave a Reply
For you to sew!
about Rae
Hi! I'm Rae, Head Boss Lady of Made By Rae Enterprises. I love to sew. This blog is a showcase for my crafty stuff.
More about me...
Email me!looking for…?
I’m over here too…
I offer licenses for handmade sellers who would like to sell items made with my patterns on a small scale. To see all of the available licenses, visit the 
Question. Do you find the necklines easier to sew before or after the sleeves and side seams? In the Flashback tee pattern the necklines is sewn at the end and I always feel like I have a bit of a problem getting the neckline just right. I notice here and in Dana’s basic tee tute that the neckline is sewn on just after the shoulder seams so I wondered if it makes a difference.
Hmmm…honestly I don’t notice much of a difference. I like doing neckbands last because then you can try them on, tear them out, and redo them easily to check how they fit…but with something like a turtleneck (where you’re cutting the foldy neck thing larger, instead of stretching it like a neckband) or the hoodie I did yesterday, I do the neck first because then if you biff it up you haven’t wasted all that time on the entire thing. I guess that’s true of the narrow neckband too though. OK, I really don’t think it matters! Personal preference!!!
Love how E’s personality always shines through your photos – he totally seems like a fun kid! I was just thinking about making a FBST turtleneck the other day – thanks for this!
So cute!
I love this! Thank you for the awesome boy ideas!!! I have 2 girls and a boy. I can always find great ideas, fabric and craft supplies for the ladies of the house but finding fun boy stuff is a bit more difficult. You have filled the gap with your awesome tutorials and advice! Love it! Thanks!
Your son just made my evening. Love the pic of him looking to the side with his hands in his pockets. Those green cords look Fabulous! The stripy shirt is great too…
Love the stripes and love another way to change up that flashback pattern! Your little guy sure does rock a photo shoot!
His personality really does come through. So great! Fabulous quality…happy with life. And the turtleneck is awesome. I’ve never made one. Maybe I should! For all those cold days in Texas. Maybe that’s why I’ve never made one. Haha. But it looks so cute on him….I prob should.
Cute graphics
Great hair cut Elliot! It looks really good on him! Thanks for the turtle neck tutorial! Excited to try!
[...] Show your stripes turtleneck [...]
[...] Here’s what we’ve done so far: DAY 1: Dana: 5 Steps to the Basic Tee • Rae: Saffron Pants and Color Roundup DAY 2: Dana: Pants Roundup • Rae: Little Bit of Color Hoodie DAY 3: Dana: KID Pants with Back Pockets • Rae: Little Bit of Color Hoodie DAY 4: Dana: 13 DIY Fabrics • Rae: Show your Stripes Turtleneck [...]
[...] Show your stripes turtleneck says: February 28, 2013 at 2:31 pm [...]
I can’t wear turtlenecks myself (I don’t like wearing stuff close to my neck) so I hadn’t thought of making any for my kids but Elliot looks great in his I might have to try one now. Looks like a fun photo shoot too!
[...] He had fun and was really proud of himself. I loved having a quick and easy project that kept him busy for a half hour (with supervision from me, of course, I never let him use the machine when I’m not in the room). He even came back to it the next day and added more. I made sure he left a few inches on the thread tails on either end to make it easy to hang up. Then we took some pictures (with this turtleneck)… [...]
Never thought of turtle necking my boys before but this is sooo cool Rae! Loving the stripes again, does anyone EVER get sick of stripes?
[...] DAY 3: Rae: Hoodie Tutorial / Dana: Kids Shorts/Pants with Back Pocket Tutorial DAY 4: Rae: Show your Stripes Turtleneck / Dana: 13 DIY Fabrics DAY 5: Rae: Stripes Roundup / Dana: Favorite Tee Shirt Buddy [...]
[...] Pants with Back Pockets • Rae: Little Bit of Color Hoodie DAY 4: Dana: 13 DIY Fabrics • Rae: Show your Stripes Turtleneck DAY 5: Dana: Favorite T-shirt Buddies • Rae: Stripes Rule Roundup and Celebration Garland DAY 6: [...]
[...] Pants with Back Pockets • Rae: Little Bit of Color Hoodie DAY 4: Dana: 13 DIY Fabrics • Rae: Show your Stripes Turtleneck DAY 5: Dana: Favorite T-shirt Buddies • Rae: Stripes Rule Roundup and Celebration Garland DAY 6: [...]
[...] DAY 3: Rae: Hoodie Tutorial / Dana: Kids Shorts/Pants with Back Pocket Tutorial DAY 4: Rae: Show your Stripes Turtleneck / Dana: 13 DIY Fabrics DAY 5: Rae: Stripes Roundup and Celebration Garland / Dana: Favorite Tee [...]
[...] DAY 3: Rae: Hoodie Tutorial / Dana: Kids Shorts/Pants with Back Pocket Tutorial DAY 4: Rae: Show your Stripes Turtleneck / Dana: 13 DIY Fabrics DAY 5: Rae: Stripes Roundup / Dana: Favorite Tee Shirt Buddy [...]