Here’s the latest release from Helen’s Closet, the lovely Elliot sweater.

Despite the fact that this week included what is apparently the warmest November day ever recorded in the Netherlands (what more do you need, climate change deniers?), the temperatures are finally tempting me to some cool weather sewing.

Selfless Sewing Solutions

I actually bought the Elliot sweater as I thought it would be perfect for a gift for someone (so I have another version to share, but details will have to remain under wraps until after Christmas!).

But, I’ve recently finally figured out how to get over my aversion for sewing for others (read here about it here!).

I simply have to sew two version simultaneously – one for me and one as a gift!

This way, I don’t lose motivation part way through and I won’t try to steal the end product. Win-win!!

It also makes me feel like the pattern was ‘free’.  Since I bought the Elliot sweater to make a gift, it is like a freebie to get a version for myself out of it too!!

My Elliot Sweater Dress

I decided to turn my version into a sweater dress. Because I’ve had the idea of  perfect, simple striped sweater dress swirling around my head for months. In my mind, it’s ultimate comfort while still looking chic.

Stripes are always chic, right?

My Elliot sweater is a size large.

To turn it into a dress, I simply extended the length of the Elliot sweater by 30cm. At both the front and back. I took the side seams in slightly around the bust for more shaping. And I added about 1 cm extra width in the hip area. Only because I wanted to be 100% certain that this would just hang over my body without clinging anywhere.

Cuz that’s the kind of comfy sweater dress I wanted.

I also extended the sleeve to full length. My one criticism of the pattern (and it’s a minor criticism at that, given how darn easy it is to fix yourself!) is that it might have been nice for alternative longer sleeve lengths to have been included. I like the elbow-length the Elliot sweater is designed with. It’s very cute. But I want to wear a sweater dress with a huuuuge turtle neck  because I want to be warm and cosy. And only long sleeves fit that bill!

Speedy Super Elli with Splits

The Elliot Sweater is a great pattern to sew. And so quick.

I’m just going to say it, I think Helen’s Closet has the best instructions in the indie pattern world. Not one of the best. But actually THE BEST.

The instructions are nicely set out – spaced out enough to be easy to read and the diagrams are of a good size. Yet, as if by magic, they’re still not too long nor word-intensive. I also enjoy the useful little tips. I really appreciate the way that Helen anticipates steps where there could be potential confusion and warns you in advance (for example, reminding you which of the edges of the turtleneck collar are supposed to be sewn together).

One of the things that was a revelation with me when sewing this Elliot sweater dress is just how simple it is to sew a split hem. For some reason, this is one of those little sewing tasks that I’d filed away in the “kind of slightly difficult and annoying” basket. The instructions with the Elliot sweater made it seem easy. I was left thinking “why in the world have I avoided split hems…”.

I think that the difference may be the way that the Elliot sweater’s split hem is sewn with a triangular apex point. I think other patterns I’ve tried before have used a rectangular apex, which I’ve found much harder to sew neatly.

Any challenges?

The only step of the process that I found difficult was attaching the collar to the neckline. It definitely felt like there was A LOT of ease in the neckline and the collar seemed teeny tiny in comparison.

But I got there eventually!

I’ve sewn the view A collar, which is a full-on turtleneck. I love it but, then, I am a big ol’ nerdy turtleneck fan, so it was always going to be love. Even when it’s halved over (effectively creating the look of the view B collar), it’s still pretty big!

My hem is still a bit wavy, but this is purely a reflection of my own skills. The Elliot sweater pattern does contain tips for minimising this. This was the first time I had sewn a knit hem on my new sewing machine, so I thought I’d just go ahead and see how it handled it. I see now that I could have done more to stop the wave. But it’s not enough to bother me. This is comfort clothing, not couture!

My fabric has also a lot to do with the wave effect. This was a 10 euro for 2.5 metres remnant that I bought at a recent market. While this makes it one of my cheapest makes in recent history, and I like the look of it, the quality is not the best…

So the wavy hem is entirely my (and the fabric’s) fault!

Sewing’s Holy Grail

And, can we just take a moment to celebrate one of the best moments in sewing?

That rarest of moments.

This is what happened to me while sewing the Elliot sweater.

I was about half way though the project. I had the arms attached. And the collar. And I decided, ok, I’m just going to pin it on me to see how it looks before I sew the side seam.

I did so and looked in the mirror.

You know how great it is when you have  that “A-ha” moment. That excited wave of “Aghhh, I’ve just found a new TNT pattern”!

Is that an oxymoron?

Since I had bought the Elliot sweater with a gift in mind, I hadn’t actually too many preconceived expectations for it. But there is just something so right about it’s proportions and the overall look. I know I will sew this again for years to come. And it’s a really great sewing moment when you realise that!!

Amen, to that moment when a new TNT reveals itself to you. Elliot sweater, come to me…

Oh and, finally, a little P.S! If you like to get your blog hits through Bloglovin’, feel free to follow me over there: you can find me here. And you can find me on Instagram here.