Man, I love me some hoodies. I wear them year-round – even in the summer (because some people like to crank their a/c up to “frigid,” eep). I love how a well-fitted, soft hoodie can be the most comfortable piece of clothing in my closet. Here’s my sacred secret, though: my go-to hoodie was a ratty pile of SHAME. I really did wear it for everything – from cleaning the bathroom to keeping warm on a drafty airplane – and it showed. It showed in the form of faded, pilled black, bleach spots, paint stains, ratty edges, and a giant hole at the neckline (that was from a fight. Also, that’s all I’m going to say about that). I loved the way it fit, which is why I kept it long after it’s sad sorry state should have sent it to Hoodie Heaven (that’s my other sacred secret: I don’t repair my ratty clothing. That hole stayed in the neckline for OVER 6 YEARS. Yeah!!).
Sooo I ripped it up and made me a new hoodie, using the old one as a pattern!
HA!
It has a pocket!
Scratch that, two pockets!!
I’m afraid I don’t have a pattern to share, as I literally ripped up my ratty-ass hoodie and traced each piece onto paper, adding 3/8″ seam allowance. I didn’t make any changes to the pattern as I liked the way the hoodie fit pre-rip. And boy, did that hoodie want to be ripped up – the pieces were falling apart in my hands. Damn!
You’ll notice my stripes don’t *exactly* match up – on one side, and also at the top of the zipper. That’s ok, I’m not totally heartbroken over it. This is what happens when you push yourself to finish a project long after the mojo has dried up – you get sloppy. Usually, I put everything away and try to revisit the next day with a fresh outlook. I was cold, though, and since my hoodie was laying in pieces on the cutting table… I soldiered on. At the expense of a little stripe-matching, but hey, shit happens.
Sorry about the wayward stripe over my rear – it’s straight, promise!
Figuring out the order of construction required a little forethought, since the length of certain areas (the neckline where the hood fits, the front where the zipper goes) need to be pretty precise. In case you are thinking about traveling down the same path of hoodie rebirth, here’s the direction I took:
1. Sew band to pockets, attach pockets to front
2. Sew front to back at shoulders
3. Insert sleeves
4. Sew up side seams
5. Sew hood seam, attach band to front
6. Sew hood to neckline
7. Attach bottom band
8. Insert zipper
9. Attach sleeve cuffs
Not too hard! It’s just like sewing a tshirt (in fact, I bet one could use the Renfrew pattern as a jumping off point, although you’d have to raise the neckline), just with an added zipper and hood š If you are adding a hood, make sure the measurement of the bottom of the hood (where it attaches to the neckline) is the same as the measurement of the entire circumference of the neckline, minus the zipper. Otherwise, it won’t sit right!
Oh yeah, mine does have a hood!
Man, you can really see my mismatched stripes here. I’m sorry.
The pockets have the usual knit band at the top (cut slightly shorter than the measurement, then stretched to fit), topstitched with a twin needle. I sewed the zipper in using the twin needle because I liked the way it looks – we’ll see how well that holds up, since it’s not usually the strongest seam š Surprisingly, the zipper went in quite easily and I didn’t have to stabilize the seam like I thought I would. My knit was pretty stable, it might not work as well with really stretchy fabrics. If you are having trouble getting your zipper lump-free, sewing on a piece of ribbon or even fusing a stripe of interfacing really helps, fyi!
Oh yeah, I reused the zipper from the old hoodie! What’s old is new again, or some shit.
Just for fun – I stabilized the shoulders seams with neon yellow twill tape, and added a little cycling tag. Aw I miss my bike! Summer, where are youuuuu
Ok, now I’m going to show you some shots of my sorry old hoodie. Don’t you dare judge me.
Bleach, paint, and weakened seams. You can’t tell too well in this picture, but the sleeve band was so ratty it was all split and frayed.
The rip I never repaired. And look at how dull that black is! Yeech!
This is so, so much better ā„
NOTE: Today is the last day for the Drape Drape Giveaway! I will be closing the entries at midnight, so get yer comment in!
LLADYBIRD 
Love it! I also have a very loved hoodie that is nearing the end of its life and I’ve decided that I’m going to put off the inevitable as long as possible! Where did you get your fabric?
It’s from my local fabric store, Textile Fabrics. I picked it up during their 40% off sale š
Thanks!
That is just precious! LOVE it! You’ve done a wonderful job on this piece…I’m so jealous! I can’t really wear hoodies – they just look kind of silly on me š¦ Yours looks terrific on you – it’s perfect!
It looks awesome! I am curious too: where did the fabric come from? It’s very nice and stripey.
It’s from my local fabric store š I still have a yard left, so I may try to squeeze a shirt out of it.
Great looking hoodie, you will wear this so much.
Me likey your Hoodie lots š
People could make one by adapting this pattern to add a zip on the front Lekala 5755 http://www.lekala.co/women-sewing-patterns/other/hooded-pullover.html, or adding sleeves to this one Lekala 5065 http://www.lekala.co/women-sewing-patterns/tops/hooded-blouse.html , or even this BurdaStyle Hooded Sport Jacket 12/2012 #139): http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/hooded-sport-jacket-122012
i love a hoodie. just bought a new one and it is soooo soft and warm! i want to know about the fight tho…
This is a wild success! I love the stripes and the fit. How generous of your old hoodie to give its life so that others could be made. š
I love the new hoodie but I can’t believe you continued to wear the old one until it looked like that. Outside I mean. Lololol. It’s good to know it was sacrificed for the greater good, to make a clone. I hate giving up my comfy clothes too.
Yeahhh it’s so cute and versatile… I love hoodies too
Super cute hoodie. May it be loved as much as it’s predecessor. Do dish on the cause of that hole!
You can’t go wrong with a striped hoodie, yours is perfect!
You’re amazing. That hoodie fits you like a dream!! Love it
ooohh a hoodie… another one of those things i should make for myself! i have monkey arms and all rtw sleeves are nearly 2″ too short… yours is supah cute and i’m sure will be worn to death! (i know jalie has a cute hoodie pattern if anyone is looking!)
Great job! You’re so smart to replicate a beloved piece of clothing.
I’d be sweating about ripping up a beloved. Yeah, it was minging… but it’s been reincarnated into a right beauty!
I saw this beauts on instagram last night and wanted as ask where you got the pattern from… yikes, you is clever š
Mwah
Bundana x
You know, That’s a brilliant idea! I”m currently wearing my favorite hoodie and I realized that it’s in far shabbier shape than I was willing to admit. Though, I think it will be about another year until I cut it up for patterns. The elbows are still in one piece. š Nice job on yours, who doesn’t love a stripe!!!
What an extremely love hoodie!!
If you’re interested in making a pullover hoodie, the Renfrew top works beautifully. The hood pattern from the Minoru jacket is a really good match. I usually sandwich the hood piece between the main piece and the neck band. Just make sure the seam on the hood is centered, and you’re in business. I’ve also drafted a hood band to make it match the cuffs and bottom of the Renfrew.
The new one is so much nicer than the old one. š Now did you make sure to make a paper copy so that you can have multiple hoodies in different colors?
That is awesome! The stripes are so fun. I totally love that you saved the zipper as an homage to your original ratty one.
Not going to lie – new hoodie is soooo much better š love it!!
Gotta lovee hoodies. Best. thing. ever.
I have maybe.. like ..30… now who’s judging š
Its great. I think someone needs to release a hoodie pattern. I would make one.
Wowzer! Love your new hoodie. And the pop of yellow! I have a beloved, shamefully overworked hoodie too. Mine will never see the light of the internet! (And I’ll continue to wear it in all it’s shabby fabulousness until it falls apart like yours did!)
Fabulous! Love the pockets you added and the exposed zip. I recently made a hoodie (my first time sewing with knits) but it is not this elaborate. I really like yours! (and, yes, from the pics, your old one HAD to go, lol).
Those stripes aren’t mismatched, that’s designer styling! Love that you made a pattern from your old one so we can see more hoodies in the future!
You’re so clever and hilarious! I need to sacrifice a few garments in my closet…. The hoodie looks perfect to me š
Aha! I like your way of thinking! š
Fantastic hoodie magic! May I ask if you ripped all the seams out carefully and pressed all the bits and pieces? I have a halter that I want to clone… š
I ripped what I could (some of the seams were serged together, those were cut carefully down the middle), pressed everything flat without distorting it, and then traced the pieces onto paper so I could add a seam allowance.
Looks so smart! I feel like a hoodie is one of those items I should sew but have yet to. I have an evil looking sweater I wear over my pjs that has someone else’s cigarette ash burns in it. I don’t even smoke. I feel dirty even typing this…
I love your hoodie !
Yay for hoodie rebirth!! I love hoodies too, but fortunately I went through a period in my life where ALL I wore were hoodies, so I have quite the stash that will probably last me…oh…for the rest of my life! Haha! Also, I think your striped at the zipper look pretty right on to me, but I think I might have a rather forgiving eye for matching stripes “eh… close enough…”
This is something I also need to do. I wear hoodies until they look like yours, worn through but loved! They are just the perfect layer for *almost* every occasion š Looks great!
Funny, I just mentioned in my last blog post about my hoodie being my special clothing piece. I love my hoodie so much. I hate when I can’t wear it (like right now). Mines is wearing out. You can see front the inside, spots that are being rubbed out. I will wear it until it disappears.
I love your idea of making your own. Yours is awesome, the unmatching stripes adds character. That’s what they call it right? š
Ok, so I know you got this fabric at your local fabric store but I was wondering if you had any advise on buying sweatshirt like fabric online – like the fabric your first hoodie was. I’m not even sure what it would be technically called- jersey fleece or maybe just sweatshirt fabric?
I’m afraid I don’t have a lot of advice for buying knits online as I mostly prefer to buy them in person so I can see how they handle/stretch. However, I know that buying online can give you waaay more options (as well as being cheaper!) – I do suggest buying swatches if and when you can, so you don’t end up with an unwanted surprise š
For regular ol’ sweatshirt-type fabric, I’d stick with cotton sweatshirt fleece (something like this or this for a warm option, or french terry (like this for something a little cooler. FYI, the fabric I used to make my new hoodie wasn’t any type of sweatshirt fabric… it was just a plain ol’ cotton knit. Hope this helps!
Thank you!
There aren’t many non-quilting fabric stores here, so I’m a bit limited as to the touch and feel options. I think I will take your advice and order swatches.
I love hoodies. Seriously love them. I don’t think I have packed any of mine yet – they are too dear to me to be without for a long period of time. Yours looks marvelous – the fit is spot on, and I love the stripes š Well done and well worth the sacrifice, I think!
Looks great! I love the trim shape on you too, very nice.
Love the hoodie! And I totally hear you about missing your bike. I miss mine too! Stupid winter go away. I love your tag. How do you make those?
I carved the stamp using a stamp kit, and then printed it on a piece of muslin with screen printing ink. Pretty easy, just a little time-consuming š
I’m going to be honest and say, whoa!, you needed a new hoodie! I can’t give you crap – I have a similar type of hoodie in my wardrobe that I wear for everything. EVERYTHING. I can’t help it – it’s so warm. Maybe if I stepped back from my lingerie sewing, I would have the time to rub off the pattern and make another one. Wishful thinking…
I think this means you need to make a lingerie-appropriate hoodie – something in a slinky fabric, preferably with some lace. DO IT MADDIE, DO IT.
That’s great! I have a beloved hoodie just as bad as your old one. Mine is actually missing pieces. Pieces that just disintegrated or fell off. For realz, that’s pretty bad. But I love it and I wear it around the house all the time even though my husband keeps trying to throw it away. I don’t think I’m up to sewing a hoodie, yet, but you’ve definitely inspired me. Off topic: I will unavoidably spend the next hour of my life envisioning all possible scenarios leading to mysterious neck rip: mosh pit? shoe sale? bar fight? frenzied fan? The mind reels….
Ahhh, so cute! There’s nothing like a cozy hoodie, is there? Love it!
Ooh I love this idea! I have an awesome hoodie that I sleep in, wouldn’t mind a newer version… š
OMG I love this hoodie… You did an amazing job! And it will look cute with your red thinlows too! BTW, thank you for your email response to my questions about Nashville. You were so kind to help me out! LOVIN your blog!
Love ur blog! follow back & follow me on twitter At @BrittanyDobbins. & Please LIKE my fb website “Ja’dore By Design” š Thx!