Hello! Today I’m very excited to share my latest Ali Sweatshirt hack AND you can download the pattern piece for FREE. A few weeks ago, I was working on a color blocked version sweatshirt, using the color blocking worksheet that comes with the pattern. I figured out where I wanted my gold and grey colors but then discovered that I didn’t have enough of the gold fabric for full length sleeves. As I was pondering what to do, it occurred to me that I could make a short sleeve sweat shirt. And just like that this hack was born. Sometimes, the best ideas come from dilemmas.
In case you’re not familiar, I’m using my Ali Sweatshirt pattern. Earlier this month, I released and updated version of this pattern, with a new gender neutral view and chest sizes 32-58” (81-147cm). Both views of the sweatshirt 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. For more info and to see the different views in action, watch this video.
For this version, I used the neckline/yoke from View A with the tapered body of View B. I made a size D with no adjustments. By the way, there’s a page in the instruction booklet that shows how to combine views A and B. I also used the kangaroo pocket from View A. If you need help sewing the pocket, check out this video tutorial.
The pattern also includes a printable coloring worksheet that you can use to try out different color blocking options before you cut out your fabric. I found it really helpful when planning this sweatshirt. You can color directly on your printout or trace the outlines onto tracing paper and color that in. To create the sketch for this hack, I traced the elements of view A and B that I was using, drew the short cuff sleeves and then colored it in (top left in the photo above).
For this sweatshirt, I’m using to lighter weight sweatshirt fabrics. The grey was a gift from The Fabric Store a few years ago. I’ve actually made an Ali Sweatshirt with it and a pair of Hudson Pants. You can check out that blog post here. The golden yellow sweatshirt fabric was a gift from I See Fabric. It’s a very soft and stretchy fabric that I enjoyed sewing and have loved wearing. I made a pair of Seamwork Mel Joggers from it (seen in these photos) and then the leftovers went into this sweatshirt. They have a lot of great colors of this fabric in their shop, so definitely check it out.
How to sew the Ali Sweatshirt short sleeves
If you want to sew your own short sleeve Ali Sweatshirt, first go grab yourself a copy of the pattern if you haven’t already. Then, come back here and download the short sleeve hack for free by signing up for our newsletter below.
UPDATE 2021: We’ve put all of our pdf downloads and pattern add-ons on one resource library page. When you sign up for the newsletter, you’ll receive the password and link to the resource library. Sign up is below. You can unsubscribe at any time. Just scroll down to the “Pattern Add-ons” section to find the pattern.
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1:
Pin the short ends of the SHORT SLEEVE right sides together. Stitch using a zig zag or stretch stitch on a conventional machine, pivoting at the corners. Clip into the corner being careful not to cut through the stitching. Press the seam open. Fold the cuff wrong sides together and press.
STEP 2:
With right sides together, stitch side seams from armhole to hem. NOTE: This is a different order of stitching from the instructions.
STEP 3:
With right sides together, pin SHORT SLEEVE to armhole matching seam in cuff to underarm and matching center point of cuff to shoulder seam. Stitch using serger/overlocker or use stretch stitch and finish raw edges. Repeat for second cuff.
Continue as instructed in the pattern booklet to complete the sweatshirt.
For additional help, check out this video from the Lou Box Dress 1 sewalong. The video uses woven fabric, but the process is pretty similar.
I hope that you love this short sleeve hack. I’m looking forward to wearing it when the weather gets just a little bit warmer.
If you need additional help sewing the Ali Sweatshirt, make sure to check out the sewalong for lots of helpful blog posts on all the parts of this pattern and general tips for sewing with knits and using a serger. Happy sewing!
