Kitschy Coo's New Reversible Zippy Hoodie Pattern

Yes, yes, long time no write.  And for the record, no.  No, I haven't finished the project I last blogged about.  My heart wasn't in it.  Maybe the spirit will move me eventually.

But you aren't interested in my failures unfinished projects.

So let me tell you about my most recent undertaking...  A reversible zippy hoodie by Kitschy Coo.  If you haven't heard of the fabulous Amanda of Kitschy Coo, you are missing out on some of the cutest patterns out there.  You are also missing out on her highly entertaining blog (complete with fabulous photoshop creations).  The beauty of Amanda's patterns is that most pieces are designed to grow with your child.  There's nothing worse than making lovely clothes for your children that they quickly outgrow.  Her patterns are mostly designed to be worn through a couple of sizes.  Many patterns are also reversible.  The icing on the cake?  She has created many of her patterns to be suitable for both boys and girls.  There's even an underpants pattern!

But back to the hoodie...

Isn't Sister Goldenhair adorable in her new jacket?  One side is washed denim, the other is baby cord.  It's all trimmed out in pink rib knit.  She loves it.  And I love that I made it for her, it will fit her for another season, and it's reversible (so she doesn't get tired of it).

Seriously, this is a great pattern.  I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of her pattern testers, and I assure you that this pattern is well worth your time and money.  And it's available as a PDF; so if you're into instant gratification, this pattern is for you (thankfully she has also produced a file that doesn't require printing a bazillion pages).

And I'll let you in on a little secret...  She is giving away a free download of this pattern on her blog.  Check out this post and enter the drawing before this Saturday.  Good luck, and if you don't win...  Buy this pattern anyway!  :)

Purple + Tinkerbelle = McCall's 6022 view A

Ah, summer!  My girly girl loves to wear dresses and skirts.  She found the Tinkerbelle fabric at JoAnn's in the red tag section.  I found the purple fabric in the remnant bin on another visit.  You can't quite tell from these pictures, but the purple fabric has a glitter finish.  It's low-key as far as glitter goes.  And thanks to the sales at JoAnn's this dress cost about $5 (including the pattern).

As for the pattern, I feel confident that I will use it again.  It was quick to put together, and the directions made sense.  The tweaks I utilized include the bow.  The pattern calls for the bow to be made of the main fabric.  I thought this would be too busy, so I used some ribbon from my stash.  I also assembled the contrast fabric differently.  The directions call for you to sew the front and lining together, the back and lining together, and then join them at the shoulders.  I'm not a fan of this technique.  Instead I sewed front to back at the shoulders, then stitched the neck opening.  I next top-stitched the neck, then pressed the arm openings and top-stitched them together.  Easy peasy.  I may well have to alter my method if I include sleeves in any future versions.

The most important thing?  Sister Goldenhair loves it!  Look at those eyes...  She is definitely working her Tinkerbelle mischief.