Turning the zip-up Solstice Hoodie into a pullover is a quick and easy modification. You can make a pullover hoodie or a pullover with a neckband. This hack is very beginner-friendly and makes the Solstice pattern even easier to sew! We will walk you through how to make a simple adjustment to the front piece, swap out the hem band, and choose whether you want to keep the hood or add a neckband instead. There is even a free downloadable neckband piece, so you don’t have to do any extra work! The sewing steps follow the original instructions closely, so this modification is perfect for beginners and experienced sewists alike. Let’s dive in!
Get the new Evergreen Sweatpants and Solstice Hoodie on sale during launch week! These two new patterns are 25% off and if you purchase both of them, you get an additional 15% off! The discount code will automatically apply at checkout if you have both patterns in your cart. Sale ends January 14, 2026.
Pattern Modifications
The pattern modifications are the same for a pullover hoodie or a neckband pullover.
The pattern includes 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowances. Draw a line 3/8” (1 cm) inside the center front edge. This new line will become your center front and will be placed on the fold when cutting. Add center front notches at the neckline and hem.
You can trim off the original seam allowance or simply align the drawn line with the fabric fold when cutting. The extra paper will hang past the fold by 3/8” (1 cm), which is fine. We like to skip trimming so that the pattern piece is the same for either a zip-up or a pull-over version!
Skip the Front Hem Band (7). Instead, use the Back Hem Band (8) pattern piece as your new front hem band. Cut two Back Hem Band (8) pieces, each on the fold. These will serve as the front and back hem bands for the pullover version.
This step is optional. Follow it if you want to add a kangaroo pocket, and skip it if you want a pullover without a pocket.
The pocket piece includes a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance. Draw a line 3/8” (1 cm) inside the vertical edge. This will become your new center front and will be placed on the fold when cutting. Add a center front notch at the bottom of the pocket.
Just like with the Front (1), you can trim off the original seam allowance or simply align the drawn line with the fabric fold when cutting.
Neckband: To add a neckband instead of the hood, download this pattern piece. Make sure to cut it out of the same fabric as your sleeve and hem bands.
Sewing the Pullover
The sewing steps below follow the instructions closely. Have your instruction booklet close by!
Skip step 1 of the original instructions.
If keeping the hood, follow Steps 2-9. If skipping the hood, continue onto step 10 of the instructions to work on the kangaroo pocket, or to Step 23 if skipping the pocket.
If adding a kangaroo pocket, follow Steps 10-15. Keep in mind, you will be finishing the diagonal, top and side edges of one kangaroo pocket instead of two separate pockets. You will also be attaching just this one kangaroo pocket to the one front piece.
Follow Steps 16-22 as written in the instructions. If you are attaching a neckband, repeat steps 21-22 for the neckband piece.
For the hem band, in Step 23, you will be pinning the two Back Hem Bands (8) together and sewing them to create a loop. In Step 24, you will be working with a loop and not a flat waistband piece.
Follow Step 25 as written to attach the cuffs to the sleeves.
In Step 26, when attaching the hem band to the sweatshirt, match the side seams and the center-front and center back notches. Sew using a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance, stretching the waistband to fit as you sew.
Skip steps 27-30.
To attach the hood, follow these steps:
Follow Steps 31-37.
In Step 31, when attaching the hood to the neckline, bring the front edges of the hood together at the center front notch on the front neckline. Make sure they are touching. It may be helpful to hand-baste the edges of the hood together beforehand so they do not come apart in this step.
Pin the hood to the neck opening, matching notches to shoulder seams and the back seam of the hood to the center back. Sew using a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance. Because the neckband needs to stretch over your head, you should sew this seam with a narrow zig-zag or lightning bolt stitch. Alternatively, sew this with your serger or overlocker.
To attach the neckband, follow these steps:
With right sides together and matching the seam on the neckband to the center back notch, and the rest of the neckband notches to the front notch and the shoulder seams, pin the neckband to the neckline. Sew using a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance. Because the neckband needs to stretch over your head, you should sew this seam with a narrow zig-zag or lightning bolt stitch. Alternatively, sew this with your serger or overlocker. The neckband is shorter than the neckline opening, so you will need to stretch it to fit the neckline as you go.
Hood and neckband continue here:
Press the seam allowance towards the body of the pullover.
Working from the right side and using a longer stitch length, topstitch the neckline 1/4” (0.6 cm) from the seam, catching the seam allowances underneath. If the neck fits over your head easily, you can use a straight stitch. If it has to stretch to fit, use a stretch stitch like a zig-zag.
Whew! And you are done! We hope you enjoy your new hoodie or a sweatshirt!
Get the new Evergreen Sweatpants and Solstice Hoodie on sale during launch week! These two new patterns are 25% off and if you purchase both of them, you get an additional 15% off! The discount code will automatically apply at checkout if you have both patterns in your cart. Sale ends January 14, 2026.
