Hello Internet friends!

Today is a quick blog post about a new to me pattern, the Elliot Sweatshirt from Helen’s Closet. While this pattern has been around for a while (although it was recently re-released with an extended sizing range) I hadn’t really been interested in it until heather from @heatherandthepugs on posted about making multiple Elliots in a row in her instagram stories and I was hooked! Helen was gracious enough to gift everyone who when to last year’s first ever Vancouver Frocktails with a code for a free PDF of one of her patterns so I decided to use my code and pick up the Elliot pattern :D

I decided to go straight for the split hem funnel neck version using some textured jersey that I picked up at the last our social fabric event (if you haven’t heard of them you should check them out, they help recycle textiles from various industrial and hobbyist sources keeping these fabrics out of the landfill and giving them a second life with sewists!), meaning that fabric wise this top only me a few dollars! win!

I cut a straight size 8-10 with the 3/4 length sleeve, the long side slit, and the smaller of the two funnel collar options. In a rare move for me I didn’t shorten the pattern at all! Shocking I know! Since the pattern has a very boxy fit with the side slits I decided that if I did want to shorten it I could simply do that after sewing on the sleeves and basting the side seams. Turns out that the length is pretty spot on! I really like the overly long back and the front length is just right, I can’t stress enough how rare it is for a pattern to fit me lengthwise without any modifications!

I can see myself making a few more of these, especially a few to use as a post workout top since the collar would help keep my jackets clean post sweaty barre or spin session (I can’t be the only one who seems to sweat primarily from the head and neck when exercising, right?) The only thing I would change to the construction would be to hem the top prior to sewing the side seam slit that way the edges of the hem are neatly hidden by the hem on the side seam. I think I would also consider extending the sleeve to make a full or bracelet length sleeve in the future!

I love the online sewing community for providing always supplying ample inspiration, community, and sewist friendship! Have you been inspired by a fellow online sewist recently? Let me know in the comments!