Oh hi there! How’s it going? I hope you are well.

I was stuck at an oil change and recall repair for the car for a few hours the other day, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to write up a little post. It’s about a fun sew from a few months ago that I posted about on my Instagram and keep meaning to tell you about in detail: The Elevate Crop Top from Greenstyle Creations!

Remember the Greenstyle Cavallo leggings I made not so long ago? Well, after those were done I had just enough of the same athletic knit fabric left to squeeze out a matching gym top.

This was an easy choice: If you follow the Greenstyle Facebook group or IG, you know it’s easy to be both floored and inspired by all the photos other sewists have posted of their version of the Elevate; it flatters all bodies, dispelling the myth/excuse many of us still adhere to re: crop tops, our bodies, our age, and on goes the list.

I hadn’t really delved into crop tops, but with the little push given by all the inspo photos other sewists have posted, I felt ready to step out of my comfort zone and try it for myself. The small amount of fabric it uses and the reports that it was quick and easy were further encouragement.

By the way, am I the only one who sees ‘quick and easy’ and jumps on a pattern, forgetting how picky they are about everything including cutting out the pattern, which then turns out to be not very quick at all?

But it really was pretty quick to whip up, even for me.

Options I chose for this pattern:

• U-back crop top (there is also a racerback option)
• Higher neckline, I think. I forgot to write this part down but it looks close to the higher neckline to me
• Athletic knit from Blended Thread Fabric in Honeycomb Petals (a custom fabric that may or may not go up for pre-order again some time, unsure for now)
• Same fabric for binding; Coverstitched binding with a 3-line stitch
• Did not lengthen — would have been okay with an inch or so extra though. Will do this next time.

I am taller and often a bit lazy to lengthen things in the middle, so here is something that I do on most tank tops, since I often have to grade between two sizes (waist is always in a different size category): I cut to the (most often taller) strap height of the larger size to add just a teensy bit of extra strap length.

I have had no issues with strap length doing this for just about every tank or bra pattern I have used — I think it really helps in my case.

The criss-crossing waistband on this pattern both adds interest and is so flattering. It’s a detail that makes me happy.

The bonus of the Elevate Crop Top pattern is that it also comes with the versatile Overlay pattern, in case you don’t feel totally at ease just wearing a crop and want a bit more coverage. You can make it with a band, without a band and tie the ends instead, wear it front-or-backwards and/or add a cute strap across the crossover bits to keep it sitting pretty on your shoulders.

I eventually made this as well! Options I used:

• Sleeveless
• Banded
• Small strap across the back
• Coverstitched binding and strap with an off-white thread
• Maple Walnut solid Summer Treats jersey knit from The Fabric Snob 

Mine admittedly doesn’t look great worn with the crossover in the front because of the added strap that I felt was necessary.

Next time I’d size down in the upper part of the Overlay because the shoulders kept slipping down, hopefully then I could omit the strap allowing more ways to wear it. I might also extend the crossover part to the side seams as the Overlay can sit a bit floppy in the back and I think a bit more crossover would help.

One thing I *really* love about my Overlay is the binding which I opted to coverstitch.

Note: You do NOT need a coverstitch to do binding, a regular machine will do. You can use a twin needle or a decorative stitch or a zig-zag, which is often my default when I don’t feel like swapping out coverstitch thread cones.

I really like the way it turned out, despite the couple of small quirks. Since I used a jersey knit fabric for it, it will be good for around the house and leaving the gym maybe, but not during a workout. I sweat too much for jersey. Maybe I should do up another in an athletic wicking fabric.

The Crop and the Overlay really are a nice pairing, which makes it such a treat to have them both available in one pattern.

Have you made an Elevate, or are you on the fence? If you’d like to try it out, you can use this affiliate link to receive 5% off the purchase of this (or any) Greenstyle Creations pattern.

I hope this post has been helpful! Feel free to share it far and wide on your socials and pin this post for your reference on Pinterest!

That’s all from me for now. Thanks for reading! Come back again soon.

-Nikki