We all live in hoodies-- and a cute hoodie is invaluable. When the SoCal weather turned a bit chilly in the spring. I was craving a new style. A trip to Anthro for a specific hoodie – one they did not have in stock-- lead me to making something similar when I returned home....from what I had on hand......mostly because even though I didn't find the hoodie I was looking for I did find a dress, a shirt, a few candles and perfume. So I was out of money!! I had to turn to what I already had.... Old tees and of course, a few fabric scraps.

Materials: A hooded sweatshirt A fabric scrap --large enough to cover the hood of the sweatshirt when doubled Jersey Ball point sewing machine needles. (These are not imperative, but will save you a lot of frustration when sewing knit fabrics.

Step 1. Make the hood lining

a. Fold the fabric in half lay the hood on top as shown. Cut around the hood. Be sure to leave a 1/2” seam allowance. b. With right sides together, sew along the curve edge of the hood lining. c. Fold all raw edges under ½ inch and press. {I serged the edges first as this gives a really easy guide for turning in...but if you don't have a serger, don't worry, you really don't need one.

Step 2. Attach the lining to the hood of the sweatshirt. a. With wrong sides together, start by pinning the center seam of the hood lining in place. Match up the center seams at the top and bottom and pin in place. b. Pin the edges of the hood lining to the hood.

c. Sew in place by edge stitching around all the outer edges of the hood. It is important to use ball point needles for this so that the knit fabric of the hood does not snag into your bobbin case and jam your machine.

Step 3. Cut and sew ruffles. ** Note-- You have lots of options for ruffles. You can put a single ruffle around the entire hood and down the zipper, or just down each side of the zipper. You could also make a wider ruffle or a skinnier one. Experiment and have fun! a. Measure the length of the ruffle area...if you want to ruffle just down the sides of the zipper, measure the length of the zipper and double that number to ensure you have a full ruffle. This will be the length of your ruffle strip. {For my hoodie, the length of the zipper was 20” so the length of my ruffle strip was 40.} b. Cut the lower ruffle strips. Cut 4 strip 3” by the length you figured in A. c. Cut the upper ruffle strips. Cut 4 strips 2” by the length you measured in A. d. Lay two upper ruffle strips on top of two lower ruffle strips. Eyeball it to make sure the upper ruffles are in the center.

e. Sew a gathering stitch down the center of the ruffles. f. Pin the lower edge of the ruffle to the lower edge of the hoodie and the top of the ruffle to the top edge of the hoodie. Pull bottom thread to gather. g. Pin the ruffle to the hoodie. I pinned it so that the ruffle was hanging over the edge of the zipper by about a half inch. Sew in place over the top of the gathering stitches.

Wa La! Your hoodie is done! If you would like to see a full written pattern on Up cycling clothing and making a Gardenhouse-esque hoodie, head on over to Barnes and Noble {Or any bookstore that carries UK magazines} and buy June's Sew Hip Issue 29. I also have a second pattern in there for a fabulous ruffled belt! Another amazing little piece to add a little chic to an old top.

And don't forget-- use your imagination and your old fave t-shirts to make something new and chic. Don't be afraid to mix colors and patterns.. Create something beautiful.

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