I’m posting my hooded vest tutorial here today just in case you missed my guest post over at Project Run and Play a few months ago.
So I knew right away that I was going to share a tutorial for a hooded vest. A few months back I purchased a Gymboree hooded vest at the thrift store and my two little girls are always fighting over it. We have even left the house in tears a few times due to that vest. So I figured if I made another vest then they would both have their own vests and the drama would be solved, right? Instead what I created was more drama, now both girls want to wear the vest Mommy made. Is this anyone else’s life too?! The tutorial is for a 2T/3T toddler size but of course it always depends on the size of your child, so just make adjustments where needed.
*One 14 inch coil separating zipper or another zipper specifically for sweaters and jackets. I purchased mine at JoAnn’s.
*1/2 yard quilted fabric or any other fabric of choice. If you do decide to use a lightweight cotton then you will want to use a light batting in between layers.
*1/2 yard of minky fabric or another fabric of choice.
Start by printing off the vest templates here. There are 6 different pages. Assemble the templates by taping the front, back and hood pieces together. Now use those templates to cut out your fabric pieces in both the outer layer and the lining fabric. If you are using a batting cut that as well. *Note that the hood with need to be cut out in both directions, meaning cut out one hood piece then flip the hood template over and cut out another hood piece. You will also have to cut the front of your vest piece in half directly on the fold to give you two pieces instead of one.*
All of your pieces should look like this now.Working with the outer fabric for the vest first, take the two front pieces and the back piece and pin them together at the sides and shoulders with right sides facing. If you are using a batting, the batting should be on the wrong side of the outer fabric and pinned in place. Sew the sides and shoulder seams.Now take the two hood pieces and pin right sides together on the curved part. Sew hood, but make sure you sew only the curved part of the hood. Leave the two flat edges alone for now.
Now take your hood and pin it onto the vest, right sides facing.
Sew. Now you have the outer part of your vest.Repeat the same steps as above but this time with the lining fabric. You should now have the outer and the lining of your vests complete. Now it is time to add the zipper.Take your zipper and lay it on top of your vest with the right side facing up like shown in picture below. Unzip the zipper.Take the two zipper pieces and flip them over so that the right side of the zipper is touching the right side of the vest. The teeth should be on the outer edge and the flat side of the zipper should be lined up with the edge on the vest. Measure 1″ up from the bottom of the vest and start pinning the zipper in place. Do this with both sides.Your zipper will be a little long and that is ok. Just fold over the top of the zipper like so right where the hood and the vest seam meet.Tack zipper in place, then remove pins.Pin the two vests together with right sides facing.Don’t worry those little zipper pieces will be cut off later.
Sew around the entire edge of the vest. Just be careful and take your time around the zippers, especially where the zippers are folded. I used my regular foot and didn’t even switch to my zipper foot and it worked out just fine. I just took my time to make sure I got a real nice straight edge with the different layers lined up.Trim off the excess zipper.Pull right sides out. Make sure the zipper works and lines up nicely. If not, you can go back and fix it.Iron the vest flat. Make sure you push out seams near the zipper and edges really well. To finish off the arm holes simply turn under both fabrics about 1/4″, iron flat and pin in place.Sew arm holes. I find it easiest to sew the arm holes like so, but do what works best for you.
Lastly, top stitch all around vest and on the sides of the zipper. There is nothing worse then having the fabric get caught in the zipper when your little one is learning how to dress themselves.
Thanks again girls for inviting me to join you today!
cliodana says
wow this is genius! Have to bought these kind of vest for next fall for my triplets boys. They are tiny (3years old) so I think that will fit. I’ll have to make 3 because just like you it’s nightmare when me or my mother sew or knit something for the boys, they all want the same!!! How long is this to sew?.. And where I can find quilted fabric????
thank’s so much you’re a life saver!
Christina says
yikes! triplets. it didnt take that long at all to make one. just cut everything out at the same time and set it up like an assembly line. i bought my fabric at joanns, not sure if they have any boy prints or not. good luck to you.
Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says
this is gorgeous Christina! I am in love with how it turned out – looks so professional. Really, very pretty.
Christina says
thanks! i really should have made 2 at the same time. im learning and that is why i have made 2 of all my dresses for pr&p. plus, my little girls beg to wear them. isnt that the greatest thing ever!!
Elizabeth Johnson says
I remembervwhen my girls fought over stuff. You learn make 2 of everything or they argue, now mine are 27 and 21. The vest is super cute.
Vanessa@DesignsbySessa says
I loved doing this tutorial! Maybe I was like the first one? lol It was so well done and Cai’s vest turned out so cute in a boy version with a collar instead! THANKS!
heather says
Awesome vest!! And that’s sweet fabric! P.S. I love seeing your PR&P outfits every week!
Kim@NewlyWoodwards says
This is adorable! The fabric is too perfect! What an amazing project!
Tamesha Wilkie says
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Gin says
Hi, Id really like to make this, but I cant seem to work out how to print all the pattern pieces from box.com ? ive been staring at it for an hour but I can only see vest2.jpg and no other way to see the other pieces. Ive signed up too.
Any help, please ?
Melody says
I am having the same problem as Gin, the first download link didn’t work for me so I tried the box.com link, but only vest2.jpg is showing up. 🙁
Jessica says
I love this! Found you from Pinterest. This would make great Christmas gifts (never to early to think of gift ideas). I was unable to download the patter pieces. Is it still possible to get the pattern from you? Thanks!
Michelle B says
Pattern piece downloads are no longer available? 🙁 I logged in, but it says they aren’t there…are you going to be reposting or selling these? Thanks! 🙂
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Libby says
I would love to make this but when I clicked on the link to the pattern, it said that the file had been deleted. Would it be possible for you to email me the pattern or direct me to where it’s posted now?
Jill says
Hi! First of all, AWESOME tutorial! I’m you’re newest follower. I went out and purchased all of the materials for this project and am missing the pattern! It says that the file is no longer available. Can you e-mail it to me or post a new link? I’m making bear costumes for halloween and thought that this would be perfect for our variable weather in Texas 🙂
Anonymous says
Oh and my email is
Ji**@hu*************.com
Thanks so much!!!
Christa says
Did she end up emailing you by chance? I just bought all of the materials as well and was bummed to come back and find that this wasn’t working! 🙁
May-Britt says
Hi Christina!
Is it possible to send me the pattern to this lovely vest by email? I cannot open it.
I would love to sew a vest for my little daughter, she could need one as fall is coming soon…
that would be great!
ma***********@we*.de
Pammy says
Is it still possible to get the pattern? Having trouble with the links, like everyone else I think… Any help would be great! Thanks!
pj*********@ya***.com
Chastity says
Is it possible to send me the pattern for this? The link is not working 🙁 thank so much!!!! Cant wait to make this for my daughter!!!
ノースフェイス 古着 品質 says
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The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Firefox.
I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured
I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though!
Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Thanks
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to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find
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MD says
I cannot get the link for the pattern to work either. Could you please send it to me? Thanks!
Jenya says
Christina, what a gorgeous vest! It is still very warm in my corner of the world, but in a few weeks time it will get colder (well, it will never be cold enough for us to go ice fishing thank goodness haha). I have been looking for a pattern for a vest like this for those annoying days when it is neither warm or cold. This looks perfect!
Katherine says
Wondering if this template was still available? I was going to try create a boy version of it. Thanks!
Tag für Ideen says
Hi Christina!
I’m in love with this great vest.
Is ist possible to send me the pattern by e-mail?
The link is not working?!?!?
Thanks so much!!
Veronika
motorcycle helments says
Thanks for finally writing about >2T/3T Hooded Vest Tutorial <Loved it!
Wendy Cookson says
Love the pattern – can’t get the link to work (July 2014) – would it be possible to e-mail me the pattern please? E-mail is:
wj**********@ho*****.com
Thank you so much for any help. Keep up the good work.
Stephanie says
I would love to make this for my nieces but the link says invalid (October 2014). Is there anyway to receive the file?
St******@ao*.com
Thank you!
Alina says
Is it still possible to get the pattern? Having trouble with the links… Any help would be great! Thanks!
al********@ya***.com
HollyCJ says
I like the others am interested in this pattern. I think it would be great for my kiddo if you are still willing to share.
Ho**********@ch***.us
Thanks
Veronica says
Hi there! Just discovered your blog 🙂 You make some gorgeous things and I am anxious to try this vest out for my daughter. I see that I’m not the only one having issues downloading it. Obviously others have said something, but wanted to see again if you plan to share still? Thanks! 🙂
marianne says
I would so much altso like your pattern – can you send me:
bo*********@po******.com
Heidi Wilson says
I can’t get the link to work either. Would really like to make this vest. Can you email me the PDF for the pattern?
Heidi Wilson says
Can’t get the link to work, please send PDF of pattern to
he**********@ya***.com
Naturemom says
Hoping to get the pattern….neither here nor Project Run & Play has a functional link to the pattern.
Am I doing something wrong?
Would love to make this for my little gal!!
It’s beautiful.
Pattie says
Love the vest tutorial! Are you sending the link of pattern out to people by email?
Lin says
Great tutorial! Is it possible to send me the pattern please? Thanks in Advance!
Jennifer says
I been looking to make one like this for a friends little girl. Thank you for the tutorial , I been trying to print pattern but won’t pull up! Is there any way you can email or tell me how to get it. Thank you
Je********@gm***.com
Rebecca Cater says
I’m also just seeing this. Is the pattern still available?
Annika says
Would love to make this beautiful vest (we call it bodywarmer). I tried but can’t download the pattern through Box. Is it possible to email perhaps? Ofcourse I would love to give you pictures of my creation in return;
la*******@gm***.com
Andika says
Would really like to make this vest. Can you email me the PDF for the pattern?
Andika says
I adore this tutorial!! Could you send me email the PDF for the pattern? thank you very much!!!!!
Cindy says
This looks amazing. Could you please email me the pattern. I would love to make this. Thank you
ci************@gm***.com
Zaira says
Hi, I love it, but can`t get the link to work is august 2014. Can you please, please, please, please, send me??????
za**********@ho*****.com
Lin says
Hi love the tutorial! Is it possible to send me the pattern to please?
Sw***************@ho*****.com
. Thanx in Advance! Lin