Ellie Inspired Holiday Blog Tour -Sugarplum Sweater

I’m back today with another blog tour post. This time its the Ellie Inspired Holiday Collection blog tour showcasing the different patterns that make up the 2014 Winter/Holiday collection.

I tried to get festive looking pictures!

There are some lovely patterns in this collection:
Holly Day Dress – 
Sugar plum Sweater Dress
Tinsel Party Dress:
Buttons and Bows Bodysuit
Dapper Lad Vest
Celebration Chinos
Polar Express Pea Coat
Jack Frost Knickers
Miss Merry Mack
Dasher and Dancer Dungarees

I decided to go with the Sugar Plum Sweater dress/top. This pattern can be made as a top or dress. Originally I was going to make a dress but when I was looking at Silly Bean’s closet I realized that she had lots of dresses and no sweaters (I’m in Canada, we need sweaters!) so I went with practicality. She is on the verge of growing out of her RTW long sleeve tops and I’m trying to keep the ones I bought as Christmas presents (poor kid, getting store bought shirts as presents) so this was handy.

Neckline is a little wavy, I steam pressed it a few times, but the wave is still there. Maybe I’m being picky though?

It’s a super simple and fast sew. Especially if  you decide to upcycle an old sweater like I did. (“Old” but never worn, I bought it for myself off season while on sale, but then lost a ton of weight).

Instead of hemming the sleeves and bottom or adding the band I simply used the existing hems of the sweater.

The pattern uses 1/4″ seam allowances which I found a little tricky. I’m used to larger seam allowances and my stretchy sweater knit didn’t help and kept wanting to slip away. I persevered and am glad because it turned out great. But next time I might add to the seam allowance especially with stretchy knits like this one.

The fit is real good on Silly, loose enough to layer over a tee. Perfect for our cold winters!
I probably could have cut the size 2 width (I did size 3) but I’d rather have it a little roomy for layering.

I’m going through my giveaway pile of clothes now to see if there are other sweaters I can cut up for her.

Pattern Details:

• Includes finished garment chart, fabric requirement chart, cutting charts for the cuffs and neckline, hem band (if doing those)
• Tips for sewing with knits
• Sizes 1-16 
• Cutting layout diagram
• Steps are clear and straightforward and include line drawings. This is not a ‘chatty’ pattern. (which is a good thing!)
• Pattern pieces are nested, and in black only; each size is a different style of dashed line, so it’s easy to find the right line
• 1/4″ seam allowances are used