Um. Tough guy up there got two new zippy jackets! School still hasn’t started around here (!!) so these will be perfect for back to school. The pattern is part of Perfect Pattern Parcel #4 and it’s from Blank Slate Patterns. I couldn’t resist a ton of adorable pictures because, well, two sweatshirts need twice as many pictures! You know. (I know you think I’m neglecting C but he’s losing interest in my mama-mades, except for this. Despite his lack of interest, however, I am hoping to make him some zippy jackets, too. Probably around Kid’s Clothes Week. So, don’t fret. He’s fine.)
Back to this little zippy jacket! Oh, how I love it. It fits J just right and is so snuggly soft. I made the 5T for him. Red is his favorite color so the first one I made in red with sweatshirt fleece from Girl Charlee and snippets of black pepper knit from my stash. As much as the zipper looks intimidating the pattern walks through every step and makes it easy. The only thing was, I didn’t know what to do with the hard plastic bit at the top of the zipper. By the time I made the second sweatshirt, I realized I was supposed to tuck it out of the way NOT leave it out. Argh. It’s not that big of a deal, doesn’t seem to bother him. 
I didn’t actually intend to make a second zippy jacket but I couldn’t resist when I saw this fabric while picking up my sewing machine from a tune-up at Rock Paper Scissors. It had to be a sweatshirt. The ribbing and cuffs are from a nightshirt I picked up at Goodwill. 
Look at those sweet little fish! This fabric is an interlock jersey from Birch fabric (organic!) and so it’s lighter weight. J told me it feels like wearing a hug and he kept it on all morning despite the warm weather. Aw. Warms a mama’s heart. 
Of course, he followed up this sweetness with enough ‘boy’ to keep it real. He was getting pretty tired of all my picture-taking by this point and he kinda crapped out. 
I kept taking pictures while he picked tomatoes from our little veg patch in the backyard. We are better at growing tomatoes than we are at mowing the lawn, as you can see. I guess it’s one of the consequences of a maker-mama. 
We have a hard time convincing both boys to wear sweatshirts, they always seems to be hot and they find sweatshirts cumbersome. It’s a side effect of their constant motion, I guess. So, it’s a serious win to be able to add these two sweatshirts to the wear-able pile! 
The Perfect Pattern Parcel sale ends today. You decide how much you want to pay for it and how much of what you pay goes to a school-based charity. For $26 you get the bonus pattern, The Knight Hoodie, which is totally worth it, in my opinion. Also, I don’t get gushy about this too much but this package of patterns is all from indie designers. Moms, mostly, working hard and finding creativity and inspiration in a way that supports their families. There is so much to be excited to support if you decide to buy this package of patterns. On top of that, It’s a no-brainer if you have boys because good boy-oriented patterns are already so hard to find. If you are considering it at all, jump on it. Today is the day!
Parcel #4 Inspiration Tour Schedule:
Friday, August 22 casa crafty || Lulu & Celeste || Keep Calm and Carrion
Saturday, August 23 Max California || Amanda Rose
Sunday, August 24 little betty sews
Monday, August 25 Kadiddlehopper || Radiant Home Studio
Tuesday, August 26 La Pantigana || Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts || Friends Stitched Together
Wednesday, August 27 Make It Perfect || Modern Handmade || GYCT Designs
Thursday, August 28 Needle and Ted || Mae & K || Mimi’s Mom
Friday, August 29 Pienkel || Once Upon a Sewing Machine || Friends Stitched Together
Saturday, August 30 FABulous Home Sewn || Gray Skies || The Crazy Tailor
Sunday, August 31 Nine Stitches || Max California || Oliver’s Fancy || Friends Stitched Together
Monday, September 1 a happy stitch || lady and the gents || Our Family Four || Swoodson Says
Tuesday, September 2 verypurpleperson || Things for Boys || The Crazy Tailor
Wednesday, September 3 Our Family Four || Rebekah Sews || a happy stitch
Thursday, September 4 Sew a Straight Line || la inglesita || Made by Sara || Knot Sew Normal
Friday, September 5 Knot Sew Normal || Gracious Threads || Sofilantjes || Max California
Disclosure: I received the parcel as a part of my participation in the inspiration tour but my opinions are my own, of course. Also, I am entered into a lottery to win money for fabric every time you click on the pattern parcel links. So, if you are inspired that would be so kind. 🙂
I can’t stand how great these zippies are!!!!!!! Melissa, you did a fantastic job on these. And those fishies are perfect!
Aren’t the fish perfect! Love that fabric, you have such a good eye and curate such an impressive collection of fabric, Beth!
Oh. My. Goodness. Melissa!! You did a wonderful job on these adorable zippy jackets! Aaaah! Oh and the fish fabric…I almost bought some the other day to make something for me. A tee, perhaps? Ha! I’m sold. I have to get some now.
Thank you friend! I know! The fish fabric is so perfect. It’s an interlock, though so it doesn’t have a ton of stretch to it….not sure how it would work as a tee. It might be ok.
Ah, ok. That is good to know. Thanks!
These are adorable!! It helps that they are on a cute guy too. The fish jacket made me think it is a perfect Lake Superior fabric. So cute!
Thanks!
Oh he is such a cutie!! Love the jackets. I have trouble keeping sweatshirts/jackets on my little fella too, he always needs an extra selling point. These are fantastic.
Thanks so much, Kristin. Isn’t it funny about sweatshirts? I love the snuggly feel of a sweatshirt. My boys can’t stand ’em.
these are fantastic!!! Henry is terrible at wearing sweatshirts…so much so that I kind of refuse to make him any until i see that he’ll actually wear one of the other ones that he already has! Love those fish especially!
What is it about sweatshirts! Jane, I was feeling the same way but I’m really tempted to also make the Knight Hoodie. The boys might just go for that one!
I totally want to make the Knight hoodie too…but that looks quite involved and i’d be so bummed if I put all that effort into something and it not get worn. I did show henry a picture of one though and he seemed interested!