Phew – after a crazy week last week, I was so excited to get some sewing done this weekend. While the Halifax Hoodie wasn’t on my to-sew list this weekend, I saw Rachel’s on her Instagram stories Saturday afternoon and I immediately purchased and printed it out!
The Pattern
The Halifax Hoodie from Hey June Patterns is the perfect lazy Sunday sweatshirt. As with so many of the other Hey June Patterns it comes with so many different views. There are 5 views featuring a hood, kangaroo pocket, full zipper, front notch, and funnel neck as options.
I’ve raved about this aspect of Hey June’s patterns in the past, but the flexibility of buying one pattern and having approximately a million different options is amazing. I made view B – a scoop neck sweatshirt with a high low hem and twisted side seams.
The instructions were top notch as per usual. The only confusing part – because I didn’t print it out – I sometimes had a hard time figuring out the step that corresponded with the view I was making. I’m sure if I slowed down a bit it might not have been that confusing but there are a lot of views and the steps go back and forth so just something to be aware of.
The Sweatshirt
So I made this and then didn’t want to take it off…..it is so comfy! I actually meant to sew up a cross between view B and E (similar to the pink and black version pictured here), but didn’t realize it till it was too late. I was trying to avoid stripe matching at all costs, but alas if you don’t take your time, all good intentions sometimes go out the window.
Speaking of stripe matching – I was really not careful about that – but, because the stripes were small, I had about a 50% success rate, which was fine by me. It’s really hard to even tell up close, so I’ll take it.
This sweatshirt reminds me in a lot of ways to the Linden but with a little bit of a more “me” shape to it. I think it would be another great beginner knit project – similar to the Linden – but by purchasing it, you have a lot of options for different more complicated sweatshirts.
The only part of the sweatshirt I didn’t love was the high low feature. The sweatshirt was already pretty long on me – I’m 5″4 (and 3/4….) – so I felt like the high low was just added length in the back. Also, I sewed up a medium which is exactly where my hips and bust measurement puts me, but I think I would want to size down on a future version. I usually make a size small in most of the Hey Junes patterns, but I didn’t want a sweatshirt to be too tight so I went with my true size.
The Fabric
I used rayon french terry from Indiesew for the bodice and some bamboo french terry from Style Maker Fabrics for the sleeves and bands. The rayon french terry is to die for – unfortunately this colorway is sold out, but it’s still available in the oatmeal. The striped french terry is SO soft and drapey. It feels so comfortable to wear. I have been saving this and the oatmeal colorway for a while now and I think this was a great first project for the fabric. The navy french terry was also amazing – I mean what is not to love about bamboo french terry?
Halifax Hoodie Summary
Size Made: Medium
View: View B
Fabric Used: rayon french terry from Indiesew for the bodice and some bamboo french terry from Style Maker Fabrics
Notions Used: None!
Ease of Construction: This would be a great first knit project!
Fit: I think I would want to remove the high low hem and size down on my next version for a more fitted look.
Repeatable? Yes! I want to make a million more in all the different views.
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Love your sweatshirt Lara and I couldn’t agree more – what’s not to love about bamboo french terry?! I’m must making myself a sweat shirt using a dusty rose bamboo french terry with the Toaster Sweater pattern (another great pattern if you haven’t tried it out!)
French terry is the best! I have made both views of the toaster sweater – it’s another great winter piece!