how hard do you think this would be for a beginner?

The oversized hoodie in this pic:

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in advance for your excellent advice.

Reply to
Beth In Alaska
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Without seeing the pattern, don't think it would be *that* difficult, then again am famous for diving into things with both feet! *LOL*

Looks like a simple "shapeless" hoodie, are the hood and body all one piece? If you have a serger and are good with it, this probably could be run up quite easily.

Candide

Reply to
Candide

How much polar fleece have you sewn? If none, if you are an absolute beginner, I should try something with woven fabrics first, like pj bottoms...

For sewing fleece you need to know how to deal with thick piled fabrics that stretch as you sew them. If you have already got good machine control, we can help you with all that. If not, I think you need a bit more practice first. A couple or three woven things and a couple of knit projects that are not that thick would help before you tackle the fleece.

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

I have a serger. I am ok with it. Definitely not "good" at much yet!

Reply to
Beth In Alaska

I've probably done more fleece than anything else, because someone told me it was easy to sew. oops! I do find wovens a bit easier - partly because the edge is much more defined and lining things up seems simpler.

Hm, I think I'll buy the pattern and take a look and see what I think I can always put it away for later.

Reply to
Beth In Alaska

You did such a good job with The Monk's fleece vest that I don't think the hoodie will be too difficult for you!

This may sound like heresy, but IMO, fleeces such as those sold at Hancock's are a little easier to sew than Malden's. I think this is because, although the pile of lesser quality fleece may seem just as thick as that of Malden's, its fibers lie flatter and Malden's fibers 'stand up'. This makes Malden's 'springier' than the cheaper ones.

These same qualities, of course, are part of what makes good quality fleece hold up better and look nicer when worn and laundered over a period of time. Less expensive fleece probably is more cost efficient for a small child's garments that will be outgrown quickly...however, I would think this oversize hoodie could be worn longer than a regular-fitting one. Also it appears that you will need to invest in some special notions such as cord locks for the drawstrings, sports zipper, etc. For these reasons, good fleece would be my choice for this project.

Doreen in Alabama

Reply to
Doreen

You'll probably be ok with it: it looks simple but effective. :)

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

Get out the WonderTape and go for it, girl!

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Those notions really appeal to me. I'm not a fan of how cheap fleece launders and my husband is a laundryholic. if the kid wears it, it gets washed and dried in the dryer - even if its a sweatshirt. so I'd probably lean towards some good fleece too. I think I'll order the pattern and take it to the fancy locally owned fabric store. they have very nice fleece and hopefully the cord locks too.

Reply to
Beth In Alaska

oh, that hadn't occured to me about the trim fabric. As its important to be warm and wet in alaska, I think this is important to remember.. Duly noted!!

LOL!

Reply to
Beth In Alaska

The first fleece I ever sewed was Malden Mills Polartec 200. It was great. After that I found cheaper fashion fleece never behaved as well under the machine, either the serger or the ordinary machine. It tends to stretch more, and the looser pile can catch on things as you sew it. The extra bulk of the Malden fleece is easily coped with by increasing the presser foot pressure and using a walking foot.

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

He must be related somewhere along the line to my husband.LOL Juno

Reply to
Juno

I never complain about my laundrydoing husband!

Reply to
BethInAK

I don't either as long as I keep the clorox bottle hidden. Juno

Reply to
Juno

I've got to agree with that... except for a single piece of Malden's PowerStretch that did indeed give me fits (others have not), the Malden fleeces have behaved nicely. That includes the experimental fabrics they used to sell occasionally at the Seattle store -- the ones that never actually went into production.

My first Polarfleece jacket was bought about 1986. I've had to replace ribbing and zipper because it was too worn, but the fleece still looks good. Cost per wearing has got to be down in the fractional cent range by now

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

I have a walking foot but never have used it. Does it work just like a regular foot?

Thats a very good deal, I tthink.

Reply to
BethInAK

I can't help a whole lot here, as I think I've used a walking foot about three times, and went back to my older methods of RTW-sewing-style fabric handling and a regular presser foot. Seems easier to me, and I have no trouble with it. I do play with the presser foot pressure when working on fleece, and usually use the serger for major construction seams.

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

I did plan on using serger where I could. It makes very pretty seams and I don't have to trim or anything.

but I should learn to use that walking foot anyway. I'm sure the instructions are in my video!

Reply to
BethInAK

Beth, I thought this article might help

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Reply to
Juno

thanks Juno!

Reply to
Beth In Alaska

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