Today, I’m very excited to announce the launch of the updated Ali Sweatshirt pattern. Over the last year, I’ve been going through my pattern catalog and updating them, adding more sizes and increasing the length for a height of 5’10” (yay! for #sewingtall). The Ali Sweatshirt is the latest to be updated and it now includes more design options as well.
The original version of the Ali Sweatshirt was a cropped, tapered style (that I do completely love) but I wanted the pattern to be more versatile and gender neutral. While the square shoulders easily fit a range of bodies, the tapered style was decidedly too feminine. For about the last year or so, I’ve had a gender neutral variation of the pattern in my mind and was planning to do a hack for it.
Then, late last year, I was contacted by Sew My Style about including one of my patterns in the challenge. They were looking for gender neutral patterns so I offered up the idea of the Ali Sweatshirt. They loved the idea and the sweatshirt is now one of the November 2020 patterns for Sew My Style.
Ok, so let’s get to the pattern details! The updated Ali Sweatshirt has two views. Both views are oversized and feature dolman sleeves, a yoke with a center back seam, two piece sleeves and optional topstitching. View A has a straight body, crew neck and optional kangaroo pocket (the pocket can also be used on view B). View B has a tapered, cropped body and a scoop neck.
Make sure to watch the video above for more details and to see the different views in action.
The new Ali Sweatshirt pattern has a new size chart that uses letters A to N. The sizes are for chest (bust) 32-58” (81-147cm). I recommend selecting your size based on the largest part of the chest. For some bodies, this will be the fullest part of the bust, and for others, it may be just below the armpits. If you have particularly wide shoulders, you may want to go up a size. The size chart has complete finished measurements for circumference, body length and sleeve length.
This pattern is rated Advanced Beginner and is great if you’ve sewn with knits before but are looking to practice your skills and your topstitching. The pattern calls for decorative topstitching at the center back yoke seam and on the sleeves. Additionally, you can topstitch the neck band as well as any other seams of your choice. Topstitching knits can take a little practice but it’s definitely worth the time to figure out how to do it on your sewing machine.
There is an existing sewalong for this pattern plus lots of helpful posts about sewing with knit fabric and topstitching knit fabric. Next week, I’ll be adding a post about how to sew the kangaroo pocket.
I really love wearing this sweatshirt all year round as a casual layering piece. Made up in a lightweight fabric, it works in warmer months. And if you use a heavy sweatshirt fabric, it will keep you warm when the temps dip.
If you have already purchased this pattern directly from the Sew DIY shop, be on the lookout for an email this week with a copy of the updated pattern. If you purchased from another seller, email a copy of your receipt to help@sewdiy.com to get the new version.
