Cozy & Quilted Hooded Toddler Jacket

Isn't this just the sweetest thing ever?

Soft and beautiful, this charming little jacket turned out even better than I expected!

I made this cozy piece from some of my favorite fabrics,

Butterfly Kisses by Robin Pandolph for Moda.

I love romantic florals, and nobody does 'em like Moda!

I used 3 prints on this sweetie -

the large scale floral, the ticking stripe and the tonal floral.

And I love the way the soft pink rick rack adds just the right touch.

I am a huge sucker for rick rack, I think everything a little girl wears should have some. :o) 

I lined it with a thick flannel, so it's nice and warm but not too heavy, and then quilted the lining.

I've made this jacket before, but I had trouble hemming the sleeves according to directions, so I had to come up with my own version.

Seriously, the directions say:

"pull whole sleeve through the opening in the lining and stitch sleeve hems with right sides together"
huh?

I'm experienced enough, I usually know what I'm doing, but that left me stumped!

But this time I've actually used the "proper" construction technique on the sleeves.

It was super easy, but I could never "get" it until I actually saw it in action.
Total Light bulb moment!
Many Thanks to Tamara for showing me how it's done!


I think the next time I make this jacket I'll also make/post a tutorial for the sleeve hems.

I did a very scientific poll of my sewing peers, and I have learned I am not the village idiot, many of them couldn't figure it out either. 

So now I've got it bagged up and ready for giving.

I made this one for my friends darling little girl.

(She doesn't know yet, so I'm going to surprise her with it tomorrow!)
I've got just enough fabric to make one more,
so I should be listing this in my Esty shop as a custom soon!