Elio Tops
The Elio top by Allie Olson was a rare immediate must make for me. I am not a stasher of knits so couldn't quite get cracking truly immediately, but I feel quite lucky to live within a 10 minute drive of the Sewing Lounge in times like this! Maggy always has some great quality knits in stock.
Worn with my bleached Ash jeans in these pics.
My SIL Erin agrees this is a good one. Although we both wish there was a bodysuit option! Both of the versions I've made so far are just tops, but now that I've got the fit and basic construction down how I like it, I think the next one I make I'll make a bodysuit.
Pattern
Elio Top by Allie Olson
Fabric
Plum: A lightweight but sturdy and beautiful jersey knit.
92% Viscose, 8% Spandex. From The Sewing Lounge. I love this color and it is so good with green eyes, lucky me!
Stripe: Cloud 9 100% Organic Cotton Interlock. This is so nice and thick and soft and comfortable feeling. Also from The Sewing Lounge. Maggy warned me it shrinks by about 1/8yd per yard after prewashing. Was surprised I went for this fabric. Of course stripes are always a classic but I somewhat associate Cloud 9 with cheesy kiddy prints so usually just gloss over it when fabric browsing. Also the all cotton thing might not be the hardiest wearing. And yellow is not a color I usually like on myself (tends to wash me out, blonde hair to blame?).
Measurents
Height: 5' 1"
Bust: 34"
Waist: 26"
Hips: 36"
Size
2 graded to 4 at the bust
Fit Adjustments
Drew a new L/S line through the chest/neckline on both front and back bodice, shortened by 2"! (Otherwise would be an unwearably low cut for me). This adjustment helped it look as designed on me, although I do get some underbust wrinkles.
I wanted the neckline shortened but didn't necessarily need the overall length shortened by that much. I added 1" back to the length at the hem.
Construction Tips/Notes
Neckline Finish
Tip 1: After assembling the shoulders, serge the flat unfinished neckline edge for a nice finish (If you have a serger. Don't mess with a regular machine zig zag stitch here if you don't have a serger).
Tip 2: Loosely hand-baste the elastic to the neckline about 1/8" from the edge. This will keep the elastic in place while you sew it down, and the slight inset will keep the elastic invisible on the inside.
Hem
Instructions call for fold over elastic at the hem. I tried this on the plum one, and it was fine but not great. Like I mentioned above, next time I'll probably make this a bodysuit and won't be doing a hem like this, but if I do make another plain top version I will probably stick with my standard knit hem finish of serging raw edge, folding once, and topstitching down.
Straighten Side Seam
The instructions call for using clear elastic in the side seams to help keep the wrap front from pulling the side seams forward in an unsightly way. This did not work for me, so I don't necessarily recommend doing it. INSTEAD, I cut a length of the same elastic I'd used for the neckline and sewed it into the side seams where the neckline elastic meets the side seams, as this is the area where pulling was the biggest issue. This piece of elastic is loose inside the garment and wraps around my back when wearing.
To decide how long of a piece of elastic to cut, construct the top and put it on. Hold the end of the elastic at one of the side seams and wrap it around your back as it would be when worn. Stretch the elastic only enough so it is taut but not tight across your back, and cut at the other side seam.
Look! No pulling!
