Super easy hoodie & sweatshirt pattern for beginners - which can also be lengthened to a dress.
This PDF sewing pattern can be be used to sew up a warm winter knit hoodie or a light cotton weave sweatshirt for summer fashion. Full length or cropped this pattern is extremely versatile.
Unleash your creative and make your hoodie or sweatshirt unique by embellishing it, or use fabric a little "out of the ordinary". The full bishop sleeve is purposefully designed to contrast in a lighter weight fabric which will better gather at the wrist. Ideas for embellishing are on our Pinterest Page. Our grey hoodie has been embellished with an old crochet table cloth bought from a second hand shop and we love it. We have also sewn samples from crushed velvet and an old cotton sheet (fantastic for summer).
PATTERN FEATURES:
- Hoodie or sweatshirt
- Standard sleeve or full sleeve in contrasting fabric
- Raglan sleeves for easy fit
- Wide waistband for drape, shape and durability
- Versatile fabric options - heavy weight sweatshirting for winter or light weight cottons, chiffons, rayons or even silks for summer
- Full length or cropped
- Hoodie can be lined with contrasting fabric
- Easily embellished (see this tutorial for inspiration)
- Sizes NZ/AU 6-24 | US 2-20 (purchased in size bundles of 4)-refer purchasing options
Share your makes on Instagram & Facebook tagging #HummingbirdHoodie #HummingbirdSweatshirt and @thesewingrevival
FABRIC
Please refer to the FABRIC REQUIREMENT CHART as one of the last images on this product listing. You can magnify this image if viewing it on a mobile phone whilst in a fabric store.
BODICE: We recommend that the bodice is sewn from a sweatshirt weight fabric (approx 300gms) - eg (mid-weight brushed or non brushed cotton sweatshirting). You may also use other mid weight knits.
SLEEVES: You can sew the standard sleeve in the same fabric as the bodice or choose to contrast it with a light weight woven fabric (like chiffon, rayon, cotton, tencel or blends). We recommend that the full bishop sleeve is sewn in a lighter weight woven to allow for gathering at the wrist into the wristband. The full sleeve was specifically designed to contrast in a lighter weight fabric.
CUFFS, NECK & WAISTBANDS we recommend are sewn in ribbing or a cotton with elastane to allow stretch over your wrist and head. If your bodice fabric has stretch and good memory (a lycra/cotton blend) then you can also use that.![]()
WINTER WEIGHT:
Heavy knits like brushed or unbrushed cotton*, merino wool and wool mixes (for a winter hoody) or other mid weight knits.
Our grey sample is made up in cotton sweat shirting and embellished with a second-hand crochet table cloth, the knit hoody was sewn from a polyester/acrylic knit.
SUMMER WEIGHT:
You may like to use a cotton or lightweight fabric to make a summer style hoody. This looks good cropped at the waist with a drawstring gather. Cotton, linens and cotton/polyester/rayon mixes are great for this but note that you might like to choose a larger pattern size than normal as woven fabrics do not stretch.
Notes for woven fabric:
If you are planning to make the hoodie in a summer weight fabric (like woven cotton) then you need to be mindful that a woven fabric does not stretch. There ware 2 ways to address this:
(a) you can cut out your bodice pieces slightly larger, by adding 1cm (3/8") more to the center front and center back or,
(b) use a pattern one size bigger than you normally would, and adjust the sleeve and body length to fit when hemming.
*Please also note that all (new) fabric should be pre-washed in case of shrinkage. Some fabrics will not shrink but 100% cotton, linen and rayon are almost guaranteed to shrink. It doesn't hurt to be safe and remove any dodgy chemical build up that may have occurred during printing anyway.
DIFFICULTY
Suitable for Beginners. This hoodie or sweater is able to be sewn with or without an overlocker (serger).
Check out our Tips on Sewing Knits.
SIZE & FITTING
This PDF pattern is available in sizes NZ|UK 6-24 (US2-20) & Youth (8yrs to 16yrs)
WHAT DO I GET WITH MY PURCHASE?
Please note you are purchasing a digital pattern that will be sent directly to your email inbox after payment. You can print this pattern at home on A4 or US letter-sized paper or take it to a print shop for large scale printing (AO size). *You will not receive a hard copy printed pattern.*
Instant download available immediately after checkout includes:
1. Instructions
2. PAH Pattern file (PAH=Print at home)
For printing in A4 or US Letter on a home printer. Printing at home is the most cost-effective, and sticking your pattern tiles together to make your full size pattern is easy. Further information for printing at home can be found in our Resources section here.
3. AO Pattern file
AO is a large scale file designed to be printed at a Print Copy Shop. You cannot print this on your home printer as it is too big. If you choose to use this large file you will pay extra to have it printed but you do not have to stick anything together.
PRINTING
Each PDF sewing pattern comes with 4 sizes (please refer last image for size chart and international size comparisons - hover over the image to magnify).
Small - (NZ/AU/UK 6-8-10-12 | US 2-4-6-8) AO 2pg | PAH 29pg*
Medium - (NZ/AU/UK 10-12-14-16 | US 6-8-10-12) AO 2pg | PAH 31pg
Large - (NZ/AU/UK 14-16-18-20 | US 10-12-14-16) AO 2pg | PAH 31pg
X-Large - (NZ/AU/UK 18-20-22-24 | US 14-16-18-20) AO 2pg | PAH 38pg
*PAH = Print At Home. For help printing at home click here.
AO= Large scale requiring a special printer. For help printing at a Copy Shop click here.
You can use the ADOBE LAYERS FEATURE to open the PAH pattern file and print only the size you need (and eliminate the "noise" of the unwanted sizes). You can also use the URL and bookmark links within the file to quickly access information and support. Download Adobe Reader for free (for Windows and Mac) here.
