Cold Weather Sewing

While packing away Phoebe's summer wardrobe last week, I noticed two things - 

1.  No more 12 month clothes for this baby (Does that officially make her a toddler?  Already?!)

2.  This dress loving momma hasn't really prepared for the cold, Michigan months coming up. 

Luckily, that same day I happened upon a pattern review for Heidi & Finn's Urban Unisex Hoodie on The Train to Crazy.  Well it was so adorable and the timing was just impeccable (plus they were having a buy 2 get 1 free sale!), so I had to snap it up right away.

 I have a big laundry basket in my sewing room full of clothes that I don't wear or don't fit anymore (thanks, Phoebe) that I have been re-purposing into toddler clothes.  I whipped this up out of a polar fleece, and lined it with a thermal knit - both from Old Navy. 
  

I made the 18 month size and it fits her perfectly right now, so that means that we'll get maybe about a month out of it before it's too small.  The fleece didn't have nearly as much stretch as I thought, so I'll definitely use a knit for the outer fabric next time so it will fit for longer.  I also cut some corners and used the finished edges of the shirt so I didn't have to add any cuffs or hems, and I simply sewed the buttons on the front and used velcro underneath so it can go on and off rather quickly.

 

I'm super excited with how this turned out!  It took me about 2 hours or so, and the pattern was incredibly clear and easy to follow.  And have I mentioned how much I love printable patterns?  No tracing!!  You can expect to see a few more of these throughout this winter.