Hoodie Hoodlums

One of the great things about having a toddler is using them as justification for fabric purchases.  Traa laa laa, I'm buying fox print cotton for my kid, not because I want it.  No, no I swear, it for him. *Beats toddler off fabric when he tries to take it*  My latest "kid" fabric purchase was this skulls sweatshirting from Kitschy Coo.  It was too awesome to pass up, period. I concocted the idea of matching Mother/Son hoodies to block out the "you should be stashbusting" voice.   Hush up voice, I got some family bonding to do.

I'll also admit that I dreamed of adorable photos a la Katie and Myra in our matching hoodies.  Yeah, that didn't happen.  Half of the photos are of me trying to drag Desmond into the shot while he goes limp and flops to the ground.  Thanks son, I pull the same trick the next time you yell about needing to bake cookies.  "Oh no, I can't reach the mixer from the floor. Guess they'll be no cookies today." Then he'll try to jump on me like a trampoline....maybe I should come up with a Plan B.

My hoodie is the Kitschy Coo Penny Pinafore hack with added kangaroo pocket. I'd thought about adding a kangaroo pocket to the navy version, but didn't want to break up the color accent. On this version it was time for pockets precious, pockets!  My iPod never had it so good.

Desmond is wearing the Kitschy Coo Reversible Zippy Hoodie. His version is not reversible, cause the skulls are too awesome, but is fully lined with some black jersey scraps.  I'm super jealous of his lining, it makes the whole thing twice as lush. He is more interested in sticks. "Phew, Phew!"

Pattern
Kitschy Coo Reversible Zippy Hoodie - sewn in a 4T size, which is what Des is currently wearing. The pattern comes in the size range of 18m-8 years. Sweet!

Fabrics used
Sugar Skulls sweatshirting, which is more like a beefy french terry. It has a looped back which you can see in this shot of the inside of my hoodie.

Also used Black cotton/lycra ribbing and black jersey scraps.

Pattern changes/alterations
Sewing for kids is fun, no alterations needed!  Modeling with kids, that's a different story. Stop trying to Escape!

Confessions/Advice
- The "working for now" coverstitch machine was used to attach the kangaroo pockets and to hem the hood edge.

- Installing the zipper is a little fiddly because of having to mess with two layers of knit.  My biggest problem was matching the motifs since I couldn't see them with the lining in the way.  I ended up attaching the zipper to the shell only, then attaching the lining with a second seam. The lining hides all that mess and no one is the wiser.

Husband Comment
"Cool matching outfits. Now I need one, but I want it to be poncho."  - He's joking....I think.

My Final Thoughts
Kitschy Coo had a hoodie pattern so I didn't go searching around for alternatives.  I know that Amanda's patterns are well drafted and have good instructions. That makes sewing her patterns enjoyable and I'm always pleased with the final project. What more could you ask for?  Maybe a ton of Lillestoff to magically land in my back yard. "The knit gods are pleased!" Looks like Des has got the "knit rain dance" sorted out. You'd all better go indoors. "Blam, Blam, Blam!"