Elevate Crop Top and Overlay
So I won’t lie, my E pattern for the #ABCPatternStashChallenge was one I’ve made a few times… but never for myself. I did make one Crop top to match some leggings I made earlier this year, but I’m taking this challenge as an opportunity to make myself a set. The Elevate Crop top and Overlay is just such an amazing combination that I finally wanted to make a set that was dedicated to me!
The Pattern
Now like I mentioned before, I have actually made the crop top several times before, and one overlay as a “I’m new to sewing and this is cool” project. So I am deviating ever so slightly from the rules for this challenge in order to finally say I have made the Elevate Crop Top and Overlay together and for a purpose.
Now, on to the pattern!
As the title of this pattern suggests, it is actually comprised of two different patterns. A Crop top, and an overlay.
The crop top can be made as a U-back or Racer back, and includes a FBA (Full bust adjustment) if needed.
The Overlay is a great pull over pattern with options for hem or banded cuffs and waist. Long or short (near tank) sleeves, and a tie back option. There is also an optional band that you can add just past the shoulders on the back which helps to keep the structure of the overlapped back.
Crop top - Racerback
Overlay - Long sleeve banded both waist and cuffs with an overlapped back.
The Fabric
Picking the fabric for this pair was easy once I chose one. Now, while they do not exactly match, I think the colors complement and accentuate eachother very well!
First up, the crop top. I used an Athletic Knit from Blended thread fabrics called Serpent which is a black and grey animal print. It is a heavier knit, which I personally prefer for garments that are meant to be more form fitting. This was ordered during a pre order about a year ago and has been waiting patiently for the perfect pattern!
The Elevate Overlay on the other hand is made with a gorgeous Magenta Athletic brushed poly from Amelia Lane designs. It is super light (125GSM) and feels like you’re wearing next to nothing. Super soft. Super comfortable. Super beautiful!
Feedback and Final Thoughts
I absolutely LOVE how this set turned out. However, I do want to share the bit of a hiccup that I ran into with making the Overlay.
The reason I love this ABP is how light it is. However, this also made it a problem when I hemmed the edges, causing the fabric to fold over much more drastically in the back than I had expected.
SO how to fix this you might ask?! Well, what I ended up doing was un-picking the band from the bodice, placing the garment on my dress form and attempting to lay it out to where the back fell exactly how I wanted it. Shockingly, I found I had to remove quite a bit from the two back pieces to get it where I wanted, but pinning and planning really saved the day here.
I love this set. It is both supportive and light making for a great workout outfit or even just lounging around the house or running errands.
If I were to make the overlay again, I would choose a slightly more sturdy fabric, or forego hemming all together to prevent the issue I ran into this time.
Get the Look!
Pattern: The Elevate Crop top and Overlay from Greenstyle Creations
Fabric: Magenta ABP from Amelia Lane Designs and Athletic Knit from Blended Thread Fabrics
Do you have any patterns that you also want to revisit as part of this challenge? What color combination would you choose for an Elevate set? Let me know in the comments!
Bonus Content!
