Elevation Times Three

Ever since I made my boys their first Elevation Hoodies (click for original blogpost) almost 18 months ago, my Husband has been pestering for one too!  In the beginning I had the excuse that the pattern only came in ages 6-12 months to 16 years, however a few of months ago, the mens version was released which took the available sizes right up to 3XL (up to 57" chest!) so I could no longer use that one! Then I had the excuse of it being Summertime soon so there wouldn't be any need for hoodies for a few months which seemed to pacify him a few more months, THEN, a couple of weeks ago, he saw me looking at this blogpost for a zipper front hack and I really couldn't think of any more excuses so figured it was about time I just made it for him, and what's a good outfit without matching mini versions for the boys? After all, they have both grown significantly since their original ones and could do with some bigger, warmer clothes too.

Colours for my Husband's Elevation were easy, he has always been a fan of yellow, and our eldest will very much 'go with the flow' but our youngest son has recently become quite fussy on what he will and won't wear so I figured the best way to solve that was to let him choose his own colours and combinations.  I spent a {very therapeutic} hour colouring in the line drawing in various combinations and then let him choose his favourite and he also decided he wanted a zip like Daddy's so it didn't need to be pulled over his head. 

I found the sweatshirt fleeces and ribbings from Neotrims, the sweatshirting is a really lovely quality and weight however took a little time to straighten the grain and was all cut off grain as well. The ribbing is nice but doesn't seem to contain any lycra so hopefully it doesn't fall out of shape and need replacing too quickly. 

---

The patterns are downloadable PDF files and all have 3 different files depending on the paper size you're printing on (US Letter Size, A4 and copy shop sized A0) Due to the colour blocking, there are quite a few pages to print (25 for the boys, 35 for the mens and womens) but they're the only non trim patterns I can truly put together without trimming! They just lay over each other, butting up lines and they just work, so super simple and quick. If you do have a reasonable A0 printing service available, it's probably a good idea! (I've seen Netprinter recommended lots in the UK for this at just 75p a page) 

Going by their measurements, I made ages 4T, 5T and a men's Small and the only adjustments from the pattern {other than the zipper hack} were to lengthen the body and sleeves of the men's one by 2" to account for his height and I think they all fit perfectly!  The 5T even fitted over my son's plaster cast without any adjustments so he can wear it straight away which is another bonus.

As with the first ones I made, I did topstitch all the colour blocking, purely because I prefer the look and I think it helped keep the first ones looking nicer for longer.  It was also a fun way to add some yellow detailing throughout to tie it all in together.  This is of course optional, it won't affect fit and it will add sewing time so if you like it (and have time) add it, if you don't, don't! 

I also chose to leave off the drawstrings in the boys ones to comply with UK childrens clothing regulations, all countries have different rules on this so do check yours out before adding them too! 

​Can anyone spot what they're all looking at? It really helped get some of the shots this time. They weren't really feeling the photo love but I was able to snap away while they were watching it and they didn't even notice I was taking them.

One of the trickiest parts of these hoodies is sewing the 'V's.  Don't let them put you off though, the more you do, the easier they get! I found the easiest way to get the best looking points for me was to pin the 2 parts RSF together exactly at the point (I'm calling this the 'Point pin') bringing the pin back out exactly at the seam allowance amount of 3/8". Then pinning/sewing one side, LEAVE THE POINT PIN IN!! then pin and sew the 2nd side. Leaving the point pin in helped make sure they lined up exactly in the same place in the middle and created a nice sharp point.  

The zipper hack was really easy to do following the tutorial on the New Horizons blog and it actually reduces the amount of 'V's you need to sew so if you're finding getting a perfect point on those a little tricky, the zipper front might be a good choice too!

The other slightly challenging part is lining up the colour blocking at the side and sleeve seams. Again, take it slowly, lining up each section individually. I like to put a pin in at every colour blocking seam, exactly on the joins extending about half an inch in, to be certain the sections will match at the 3/8" seam allowances. 

I love their new hoodies and they do to, they've already asked for at least 2 more each and none of them took them off after this photo session either, choosing to keep them on the entire day instead!  New Horizons also do a ladies version of the Elevation Hoodie which I have but not yet sewn, I think it's just been bumped up my to sew list now though! 

The patterns can be bought seperately or in various discounted bundles, they're $9.95 each, $16.50 for 2 (kids and womens or kids and mens) or $23.50 for ALL 3 versions and I believe all totally worth the money.

Kids 6-12m - 16 Years
Mens - XXS-3XL
Womens - XXS-3XL
Bundles

Related Blogposts

Elevation Hoodies by New Horizons

Elevation Tee Hack 

​Affiliate links are included throughout this post marked with GREEN TEXT it costs you nothing extra but means I get a few cents if you buy the pattern after clicking through.  I would love it if you could use them if this post has inspired you but feel free to navigate there yourself if you prefer! All opinions expressed on my blog are entirely my own. Thanks, Sarah