Sweatshirts and Hoodies - Beep Beep and Stella

I absolutely love wearing hoodies - I've probably owned 100s over the years. Making the perfect hoodie for myself has been a bit of a holy grail, dressmaking-wise. Last year I made myself the Papercut Patterns Undercover Hood. Although it is really warm and I love the colour (pale pink sweatshirt fabric from Guthrie and Ghani), I've never been completely happy with the fit and style. Recently, my newsfeed has been full of Stella sweatshirts from the new Tilly and the Buttons book. I bought some dark grey sweatshirt fabric with silver glitter stars from Fabrics Galore at GBSB Live back in September which has been waiting for the right project. I decided to make it with the sleeves in a pale grey (also from Fabrics Galore) in a nod to the 90s. 

The pattern actually came free with one of the sewing magazines I subscribe to, so I decided to cut it straight out rather than trace off like I usually do. I cut out a size 3 (my usual size in Tilly patterns), but graded out a bit at the waist. I used sweatshirt ribbing (also from Fabrics Galore) for the cuffs and neck band. I decided to add a waistband after seeing this on someone else's version  as I hate tops and jumpers to be too short, and used the ribbing for this as well. I cut the body pieces and hood from the star fabric and sleeves from pale grey. I used a remnant of grey jersey for the hood lining. Having made hoodies for the kids and myself previously, the construction was straightforward, with the hood itself taking the most work. Tilly's instructions were excellent as ever. I added the buttonholes for the drawstring but wished I hadn't as they weren't completely level so I decided to leave out the drawstring so as not to draw attention to them. I'm really pleased I added the waistband as I like the slightly longer length. I'm really happy with the fit and style of this hoodie - I think this is the pattern I have been looking for!

I had quite a lot of fabric left and I decided to use the leftovers to make the kids a Beep Beep Sweatshirt from Made by Jack's Mum from the latest issue of One Thimble sewing magazine (an awesome digital magazine full of sewing patterns for kids which I have only just discovered). For Polly, I used the star fabric for the body and sleeves and pale grey for the side strips and pockets. I made Thomas's in reverse. This is such a great kid's sweatshirt pattern - I love the raglan sleeves and the side strip/ pockets are a great opportunity to colour block/ stash bust. MBJM always have great instructions as well. I think this is my new favourite kid's jumper pattern. It was so quick to sew and I'm already planning more. I'm not sure I'll ever made the version with the road appliqué, but it is so versatile, I'm sure there will be lots of variations over the years as it goes up to age 12. 

We are off on a glamping holiday today, these are bound to get a lot of wear!

Campsite chic - harem pants and raglan tees

After a hectic Summer, I'm finally getting round to blogging all the stuff I frantically made in preparation for our holiday.  We decided to spend our main holiday in the UK this year - a bit risky but it worked out well - nowhere near as much rain as expected, lots of beach days and only a two-hour drive home at the end of it.  We had a two-site holiday in Wales, spending the first week glamping on the Mawddach Estuary near Dolgellau and Fairbourne and the second in Rhosneigr in Anglesey.  Both equally beautiful in different ways, but they real challenge for me was week one - a whole week without a washing machine with two small children...  The only option was to get sewing so we definitely had enough practical and comfy outfits to make it until we got to our luxury apartment with washing machine in week two!

I have been following Made by Jack's Mum on Facebook for a while after seeing so many harem pants, sweatshirts, t-shirts and other kids clothes made by people on other groups.  I love the simple style and the fact that they are all made using knits, which is pretty much essential for kids clothes (who wants to add even more to their ironing pile!?!).  I was finally tempted to buy the famous harem pants pattern when they ran a flash 50% off sale on all patterns, and I bought the raglan t-shirt pattern at the same time too.  

The first versions I made of both were for Polly.  I bought some fabric from the bargain section at Abakhan in Manchester (where they sell fabric by weight - it takes a bit of getting used to, but you can pick up some great quality fabric at rock bottom prices).  She is obsessed with watermelon, and I couldn't resist an organ get jersey with a bold watermelon print with co-ordinating plain organge jersey.  I used the print for the legs and the plain for the ankle cuffs and waistband.  As soon as I made the harem pants, I understood why they were so popular - they literally take minutes, and the fit and style are both perfect for active kids.  I made a matching raglan, using the watermelon print for the sleeves and neckband and the plain for the body.  The raglan is a little tricker to make as it involves topstitching, but it's still a pretty quick sew, and it goes perfectly with the harem pants to make a co-ordinating outfit.

I moved on to a grey and blue striped raglan with plain grey harems for Thomas, all made with scraps from my stash.  Then I went mad!  Three more pairs of harems for Polly, two more and another raglan for Thomas, all using fabric from my stash.  I also made three pairs of harems as presents for other children, all in various sizes.  After 10 pairs of harem pants, I'm still not sick of this pattern and have got the fabric lined up for the next pair.  In addition to being such a quick sew, the kids love wearing them - in fact, the biggest challenge I had was wrestling them away so I could wash them when we finally got back to civilisation!

A few pics: