Free Pattern Friday: Kid's Hoodie

This is my new monthly feature where I road test a free sewing pattern or tutorial: sometimes a children's one, sometimes a women's one. I publish these posts every first Friday of the month, timed to provide inspiration for those of you who plan to get your sew-on over the weekend. I firmly believe that, if you pick your projects carefully, sewing doesn't have to be a crazy-expensive pass time. 

I picked this hoodie pattern to write about this month because, if you were making them for a child from 18 months to 6 years old (which are the sizes that these patterns overlap) I thought it might be fun to make along side the retro sweatpants that I tried out for last month's instalment. I didn't think of that before I made this hoodie, but I may dig out that anchor fabric again to make a hoodie from to create a cute tracksuit.  

(image source: Brindille & Twig)

Pattern type:

This basic hooded sweatshirt by Brindille & Twig has raglan sleeves, a kangaroo pocket and optional sleeve seam piping. It is one of the few free kid's sewing patterns that is potentially suitable for chillier weather, so one that I'm keen to help people to discover if they didn't already know it existed. Thanks to B&T for making this available for free!

Sizing info:

This is a multi-sized pattern from 0-3 months to 5-6 years. I made the 18-24 months size because I already had the pattern pieces for that size cut from the first time I made it. Frankie has just turned one and is fairly average sized. I usually find B&T patterns to come out about one size too big, so I was expecting this to be a couple of sizes too large for him at the moment, however I was surprised that this is actually only about one size too big, and he probably could get away with wearing it now.  

Fabric info:

B&T suggest medium weight jersey, interlock or stretchy french terry for the body, sleeves and hood. They warn that using regular sweatshirt fleece may make it difficult to get over head, plus I'd say the arms might end up a little too tight. A cotton/elastane blend jersey or ribbing would be best for the cuffs and waistband.

I used scraps of striped double knit and navy Ponte di Roma, and lined the hood with cream interlock: all leftovers from previous projects. This concoction has worked fine, but the interlock I used the first time round resulted in a softer and cosier garment.  Beggars can't be choosers and I was limited by what was in my scrap box, so I feel my fabric combo hasn't produced the jazziest version of this pattern out there. I tried to add a bit of interest in the form of a little loop of nautical ribbon positioned into the side of the pocket.

Findings:

This PDF pattern is well produced and very typical of what you can expect from B&T patterns. The construction steps are illustrated with clear photos. I tend to find the scant seam allowances in B&T patterns (about 6mm if memory serves) a bit annoying, and it made the application of the sleeve seam piping a bit tricky. That said, this hoodie pattern comes together quickly and is a very satisfying make.

Customisation ideas:

Ways you might customise this pattern to get different looks might include:

• plain colour for most of the pattern piece except a crazy print for the pocket and hood lining
• cutting the sleeves down and making new binding pieces for a t-shirt or tank style hoodie
• omit the kangaroo pocket
• omit the waistband, hemming the bottom edge by turning and top-stitching, for a more basic, simplified look
• if you can find a short enough open ended zip, convert the pattern into a zip-through
• lengthen the front and back body pieces to make a hoodie-tunic/dress
• use a different colour fabric for each sleeve (or even each pattern piece!)
• add features and ears to make the pocket look like an animal head
• applique or paint features onto the front piece and add ears into the raglan sleeve seams 
• add fins/eyes/teeth etc. to make the hood into the head of a shark/dinosaur/parrot/unicorn/anything!

(image sources: Seed Heritage, Mini Boden via Nordstrom, Target, Bunny pocket source unknown, Wolfe and Scamp)

Would I make them again?

I love how many different looks you could achieve with this pattern by choosing different colour, pattern and fabric combinations. I definitely plan to make more in the future for both my kids, although I'll have to be quick in doing so for Dolores because she is fast approaching the largest size. I'd like to make a hoodie-dress for her, in a cosy fleece if I can find something stretchy enough. And the temptation to make one for Frankie with an animal face incorporated somehow will probably prove too hard to resist.