This is the last part of the fleece pullover sew along!  Haven’t started yours yet? You can catch up on part one, and part two here. I’m using the BurdaStyle Structured Sweatshirt pattern. Let’s get to it and finish up sewing this wintery warm and colorful pullover! (

Sewing the neckband/turtleneck in place and installing the zipper


Fold the turtleneck band in half, with wrong sides together and pin mark the center front. The two end edges are the center back. Lay the pullover’s neck edge open on your table and pin the band in place matching up the edge and center fronts for an even ease in.

Serge/sew in place and flip upwards.

Along the center back, serge to finish the raw edge. From the top of the turtleneck band to the bottom of the back pullover. Serge each side.

Start your serging along the center back at the top of the turtleneck and wrap the serging tail into the seam so it doesn’t unravel.

It’s zipper time! First press open the teeth of your invisible zipper and pin one side to the pullover with the zipper stop at the top of the turtle neck, not the end of the zipper tape. Also serge/finish the edges of the center back seam.

Install a zipper foot, or a special invisible zipper foot into your machine and sew down one side of your zipper starting at the top and backstitching at the zipper stop.

Sew the other side of the zipper using the other half of the zipper foot starting at the top and backstitching at the bottom near the zipper stop.

Push the excess zipper tape at the bottom of the zipper away from the center back seam and pin directly where the zipper stitching stops.

Start sewing as close as you can to the point where the stitching ends from the zipper application. Backstitch at the point and sew all the way to the hem and backstitch again.

At the top of the sewn zipper wrap the excess zipper tape around the edge and sew into place either by hand or machine. Do this to both sides.

Here is the sewn zipper from the right side at the top of the turtle neck, nice and neatly finished!

Now it time for the sleeve hem bands, so grab your pieces. I again cut my sleeve bands in this lovely Arrows Light Grey print. The fleece fabric also keeps my wrists cozy.

Fold the pieces, right sides together lengthwise and sew in place. Then fold in half widthwise, wrong sides together so the two raw edges are in line.

Place the sewn sleeve bands inside the pullover’s sleeve matching up the seams. Pin in place.

Serge/sew all three layers into place. The sleeve band may need to slightly be stretched in.

Flip outwards away from the sleeve. This is the view from the wrong side of the pullover.

Now grab your hem band pieces.

Lay the hem band pieces out and pin mark either the front or back since they are similar but different lengths.

Pin the short raw edges together and sew the front band to the back band. Then fold widthwise, wrong sides together so the raw edge align.

Pin the sewn front and back hem band into the pullover, matching up the side seams.

Serge/sew the three layers together, finishing the hem of the pullover.

Here is the front view of my finished pullover. I love all the panels in this pattern and how it allowed me to sew together multiple fleeces.

The invisible zipper works perfectly in this designs, as it allows you to get into the pullover without messing up your hair!

This pattern was so much fun to sew and the fleece makes it so warm. I have worn this sweater on winter walk and always when I go skating. It keeps me warm and colorful!


About Our Guest Blogger

Meg Healy began to sew at the age of 12, which led her to study Fashion Design at both Fanshawe College in London and Parsons the New School for Design in NYC while also interning for Vera Wang. Meg gained the technical skills in pattern making and advanced sewing that led to a number of awards for her design and construction skills. She is now is the editor, lead educator, and face of BurdaStyle.com, inspiring members with sewing projects, online sewing courses, & how-to videos. She thrives working from her downtown studio loft everyday with her giant Flemish rabbit and is regularly commissioned to sew wedding garments, textile art installations, and everything in-between.