A cozy hoodie is one of the most practical garments you can sew for children. It's comfortable, easy to wear, and perfect for layering throughout the year. With its roomy hood, front pocket, and ribbed finishes, a handmade hoodie quickly becomes a favorite for everyday adventures, outdoor play, and relaxed weekends.
The Winslet's Skyler Kids Hoodie Sewing Pattern is an excellent project for sewists looking to create a classic pullover hoodie. Featuring a front patch pocket, ribbed cuffs, a ribbed waistband, and a fully lined hood, this easy-level pattern combines comfort, practicality, and timeless style for babies and young children.
Why Sew a Kid's Hoodie?
A handmade hoodie is a versatile wardrobe essential that's comfortable, practical, and fun to sew.
- Perfect for everyday wear, layering, and cooler weather.
- Front patch pocket provides both style and functionality.
- Ribbed cuffs and waistband create a comfortable fit while helping the hoodie retain its shape.
- Fully lined hood adds warmth and a professional finish.
- Suitable for a variety of knit fabrics, allowing you to create hoodies for different seasons.
- A rewarding project that introduces several useful knit garment construction techniques.
Why Choose the Winslet's Skyler Kids Hoodie Sewing Pattern?
The Skyler Hoodie is designed to help sewists create a classic children's hoodie with clean finishes and comfortable everyday styling.
Skill Level: Easy
Key Features
- Pullover hoodie.
- Front patch pocket.
- Ribbed sleeve cuffs.
- Ribbed waistband.
- Fully lined hood.
- Optional drawstring opening.
Available Sizes: New Borns to 10 Year Olds
Supplies & Notions
Prepare the following before you begin sewing:
- Main fabric
- Rib fabric
- 3-ply polyester thread
- Sewing machine
- Serger (optional)
- Coverstitch machine (optional)
- Tape measure
- Fabric shears
- Pins
- Sewing needles
- Iron
- Chalk
- Thread cutter
- Optional drawstring
Alternative stitching methods
- If you don't have a serger, use a zig-zag stitch with the presser foot setting lower than 1. A walking foot is recommended if available.
- If you don't have a coverstitch machine, use a twin needle to imitate a coverstitch. Alternatively, use a narrow zig-zag stitch or a straight stitch with a slightly looser thread setting.
Always test your stitch settings on a fabric scrap before sewing the garment.
Fabric Recommendations
This pattern is designed for light to medium-weight knitted fabrics with approximately 30–50% stretch for flexibility and comfort.
Recommended main fabrics include:
- Fleece
- Sweatshirt knit
- Jersey
- French terry
For the sleeve cuffs, bottom band, and pocket side pieces, use:
- Rib 1×1 fabric
- Rib 2×2 fabric
Sample Fabric Used
The sample hoodie shown in the guide is made from fleece, which is recommended because it offers:
- Soft, warm, and plush texture
- Greater stability than jersey
- Lightweight feel with excellent thermal insulation for winter
- Easy sewing with no fraying
Size Charts
Check the size charts and measure yourself to select the correct size, using the garment and body measurement tables in the guide.
Verify how much fabric you need by referencing the fabric yield table in the guide.
Pattern Inventory: What Pieces to Prepare
Prepare the following pattern pieces before cutting your fabric.
- A. Front – Cut 1 fabric
- B. Back – Cut 1 fabric
- C. Sleeve – Cut 2 fabric
- D. Hood – Cut 4 fabric
- E. Center Hood – Cut 4 fabric
- F. Pocket – Cut 1 fabric
- G. Bottom Band – Cut 2 fabric
- H. Cuff – Cut 2 fabric
- I. Pocket Side – Cut 2 fabric
If you're printing at home, use the A4/US Letter pattern. If you're using a copy shop, use the A0 pattern.
Pattern Marking
Before cutting your fabric, familiarize yourself with the markings shown on each pattern piece.
The pattern includes markings for:
- Grainline
- Seam allowance
- Shoulder
- Neckline
- Armhole
- Armhole center notch
- Side seam
- Hem
- Center notch
- Patch pocket placement
- Hood curve
- Hood opening
- Inner hood
- Pocket top
- Pocket sides
- Bottom hem
- Cuff top
- Cuff bottom
- Cuff sides
Understanding these markings before you begin sewing will make assembling the hoodie much easier and more accurate.
Cutting Layout
Arrange your pattern pieces according to the cutting layout provided for your chosen fabric width.
Keep these guidelines in mind:
- Position every pattern piece so the grainline arrow runs parallel to the fabric selvage.
- Pin the pattern pieces securely before cutting to improve cutting accuracy.
- The layouts shown are intended for non-directional fabrics.
- Purchase additional fabric if you're using fabrics with a nap or directional prints.
- The cutting layouts shown use the Age 2Y size for illustration.
- For the 60-inch fabric layout, the guide provides separate layouts for the main fabric and rib fabric pieces.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Careful fabric preparation helps ensure accurate cutting and easier garment assembly.
Lay Out Your Pattern Pieces
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams, ensuring each grainline arrow runs parallel to the fabric selvage.
Cut Your Fabric
If you're using fabric shears, trace around the pattern pieces before cutting. Remove any tracing lines as you cut, and remember to clip all notches, as these markings help align the garment during construction.
Transfer Pattern Markings
Transfer all markings, including circles, buttonholes, and fold lines, onto the wrong side of the fabric using chalk or another suitable marking tool. Mark the center front on pieces cut on the fold to help align the garment accurately during sewing.
Seam Allowance
Use the seam allowances marked on each pattern piece. These are precisely included to ensure proper fit.
This pattern uses a 1 cm (3/8") seam allowance all around and a 0.6 cm (1/4") seam allowance all around the pocket side, pocket, center hood, and cuff pattern pieces.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
1. Prepare and Attach the Pocket
1a.
Fold each Pocket Side (Pattern I) piece in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together and press.
1b.
Place the open long edge of the folded pocket side along one slanted edge of the Pocket (Pattern F) with the raw edges aligned. Overlock the pieces together.
1c.
Spread the pieces open from the seamline. Sew along the edge of the seamline using a lockstitch or coverstitch (double stitch) to secure the seam allowance underneath.
1d.
Repeat Steps 1b and 1c for the second folded pocket side piece.
1e.
Fold the pocket top seam allowance toward the wrong side and press.
1f.
Place the prepared pocket onto the Front (Pattern A), aligning it with the patch pocket marking. Pin in place. Sew along the pocket top edge using a coverstitch or lockstitch, then sew along the bottom hemline with a lockstitch.
Pro Tip
- An overlock stitch is recommended for seam construction and a coverstitch for hemming. If you don't have these machines, use a zig-zag stitch for overlocking and a straight stitch for hemming.
- Pin the pieces before sewing to improve accuracy.
- Press the pattern pieces after each step for a cleaner finish and easier sewing.
- Refer to the Pattern Marking page to identify seamlines, notches, and other key reference points before sewing.
2. Finish the Shoulders
Place the Front (Pattern A) and Back (Pattern B) with their right sides facing together. Align the shoulder seams and overlock both shoulder seams.
3. Attach the Sleeves
3a.
Spread the front and back pieces open from the shoulder seams.
3b.
Place one Sleeve (Pattern C) onto the opened bodice with the right sides facing together.
3c.
Align the sleeve cap with the armhole opening and overlock the sleeve to the bodice.
Repeat the same process for the second sleeve.
4. Prepare and Attach the Hood
4a.
Place one Center Hood (Pattern E) and one Hood (Pattern D) piece with their right sides together. Align the hood curve with one long edge of the center hood and sew along the seamline.
4b.
Spread the sewn pieces open from the seamline. Place the mirror-image hood piece onto the remaining long edge of the center hood with the right sides together.
4c.
Align the hood curve with the remaining long edge of the center hood and sew. Repeat the same process for the second set of center hood and hood pieces.
4d. (Optional – Drawstring Opening)
If you'd like to add a drawstring, complete this step before assembling the hood.
Mark a point 1/2" away from the front edge and 1/2" above the neckline on both hood pieces. Create the drawstring openings using eyelets or buttonholes. Once the openings are finished, insert the drawstring through the hood opening.
4e.
Insert one prepared hood inside the other so the right sides face each other. Align the hood opening edges, pin them together, and sew along the hood opening seamline using a lockstitch.
4f.
Turn the hood right side out. Sew along the inner hood seamline using a lockstitch.
4g.
Place the prepared hood onto the sweatshirt neckline with the right sides together. Align the necklines and pin them together.
Overlap the neckline ends at the center front, positioning the left end underneath the right. Overlock the neckline to attach the hood.
Press the seam allowance so the hood sits neatly around the neckline.
5. Finish the Side Seams
Align both side seams of the prepared sweatshirt with the right sides facing together.
Overlock continuously from the sleeve hem down to the bottom hem.
6. Prepare the Waistband
6a.
Place both Bottom Band (Pattern G) pieces with their right sides together.
6b.
Align the side edges and overlock them together. Repeat for the opposite side.
6c.
Fold the bottom band in half lengthwise with the right side facing outward to create the waistband.
7. Prepare the Cuffs
7a.
Fold each Cuff (Pattern H) in half at the center notch with the right sides together.
7b.
Overlock the side edge to close the cuff. Repeat for the second cuff.
7c.
Fold each cuff in half with the right side facing outward.
8. Attach the Waistband and Cuffs
Place the open edge of the prepared waistband onto the right side of the sweatshirt hem.
Align the center notch of the waistband with the center front and center back hemline, and match the waistband side seams with the sweatshirt side seams. Pin evenly around the hem and overlock the waistband in place.
Next, place one prepared cuff onto the right side of a sleeve hem. Align the cuff side seam with the sleeve side seam and overlock them together.
Repeat the same process for the second cuff and sleeve.
9. Optional Topstitching
For a clean, professional finish, sew along the edge of the waistband and sleeve cuffs.
Ready to Sew Your Own Kid's Hoodie?
A handmade hoodie is a comfortable wardrobe staple that's perfect for layering throughout the year. With its classic pullover design, front patch pocket, fully lined hood, ribbed cuffs, and ribbed waistband, the Skyler Hoodie combines everyday comfort with timeless style for babies and young children.
Whether you sew it in cozy fleece for cooler days or choose another recommended knit fabric, this easy-level pattern is a rewarding project that helps you build confidence sewing knit garments. Follow the step-by-step guide, enjoy the construction process, and you'll have a durable handmade hoodie that's ready for everyday adventures.
Ready to get started? Pick up the Skyler Kids Hoodie Sewing Pattern and create a cozy handmade hoodie your little one will love wearing.
Explore More Sewing Patterns
Browse our Kids Sewing Pattern Collection for more comfortable handmade clothing, including sweatshirts, dresses, tops, rompers, overalls, pants, and other everyday sewing projects for babies and children.
Join the Community & Get Support
Share your finished Skyler Kids Hoodie on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
