Ellie and Mac Kid’s Be Creative Hoodie PDF Sewing Pattern Review

My sweet Tabitha just turned 8! I love sewing for my kids and am always asking them what I can make for them. Her most recent requested clothing item was a unicorn hoodie. She says that unicorns are in style now and wants all things unicorn. Let’s hope they stay in style for a few seasons because  I love how her hoodie turned out!

When I saw the testing call for the Ellie and Mac Be Creative pattern, I quickly signed up for her because I knew with the color blocking on the bodice that I could use this unicorn panel that I had been saving. The panel was just too small for most of the top patterns that I had for her, and she isn’t getting any smaller.

Thankfully, I was able to make it work. The bottom side seam has some selvage in it, but it didn’t show any on the front. Whew! I even put some of the unicorn coordinate in the hood. If you have any fun unicorn (or glitter!) fabric sources, please leave me a comment so I can buy this girl more unicorn fabric! Did you notice she is also wearing a unicorn bow?!?

The Pattern

The Be Creative pattern is a kids unisex pattern that fits sizes 12-18 months up to 14 (chest sizes 18.5 inches up to 31 inches). The neckline is finished with an optional hood or a cowl. You could easily just add a neckband if you wanted to leave it as a top. The bodice has a curved seam at the top of the front and back that you can use piping on. The piping I used was cut at a 1 inch width. It is a fun way to break up the top and bottom.

The pattern has plenty of ease for layering and works well with thicker fabrics as well as cotton lycra (like I used). I like that it is a great layering piece for the upcoming cold months. I notice with more fitted hoodies that my kids don’t like to wear a shirt under them (and that my kids outgrow them super quick!), but this one was perfect to go over her shirt.

The pattern has optional patch/grommets that you can feed a string through to connect. Due to child safety regulations, it does not have a string hanging down. If you do want a string hanging down, for children under ten, make sure the string is no more than three inches. I really loved how Lindsey Essary (the designer behind Ellie and Mac) paid attention to this. I didn’t use the grommets on this one and am happy with the look of the crossover hood without them.

I think this pattern is another winner and want to make some for my other kids. Her only complaint was that it does not have pockets. I plan to grab a pocket pattern piece from another kid’s pattern (like the Laurelette I made her last week) and put pockets in the side seams. You could also do a kangaroo pocket if you were using a non-panel fabric for the main.

Resources

(1) The main fabric print is a cotton lycra that my friend Aimee found. The solid cotton lycra came from Made Whimsy.

(2) The Be Creative Pattern can be found HERE.

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Disclosures: I received this pattern for free as part of the testing process so that I could give the designer feedback on fit and the instructions. Also, this post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation when you purchase via my link.