Zip Up Hoodies are one of the most popular garments to sew because they combine comfort, practicality, and everyday style. Sewists love making hoodies because they are versatile layering pieces that can be customized with different fabrics, colors, and finishing details to suit every wardrobe.
The Winslet's Rue Zip Up Hoodie Sewing Pattern is a great choice for creating a stylish cropped zip-up hoodie. Featuring a front zipper closure, drawstring hood, patch pockets, ribbed cuffs, and a ribbed waistband, this beginner-friendly project is both enjoyable to sew and practical to wear.
Why Sew a Zip Up Hoodie?
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Creates a comfortable and practical layering piece.
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Features a functional hood for added coverage and warmth.
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Includes convenient front patch pockets.
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Ribbed cuffs and waistband provide a comfortable fit.
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A zip-front design makes it easy to wear and style.
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Suitable for casual wear, travel, outdoor activities, and everyday layering.
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A rewarding project for sewists looking to build confidence with knit fabrics.
Why Choose the Winslet's Rue Zip Up Hoodie Sewing Pattern Pattern?
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Skill Level: Very Easy
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Long sleeve cropped hoodie design
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Front zipper closure
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Drawstring hood
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Front patch pockets
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Ribbed cuffs and waistband
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Available Sizes: US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
You will need:
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Main fabric
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Rib fabric
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3-ply polyester thread
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Jacket zipper
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Cord for the hood drawstring
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Sewing machine
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Sewing machine needles
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Tape measure
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Chalk
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Shears
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Pins
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Iron
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Thread cutter
When choosing the zipper length, add the center front and waistband lengths together, excluding the seam allowance. This helps determine the correct zipper size.
Fabric Recommendations
Consider using:
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Medium weight jersey
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Rib fabric
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Terry fabric
The sample garment in the sewing guide is made using 280 gsm polycotton fleece fabric.
Recommended characteristics of the sample fabric:
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Warm and suitable for winter wear
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Water resistant
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Easy to sew and beginner-friendly
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:
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Front bodice — cut x2 fabric
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Back bodice — cut x1 fabric
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Front pocket — cut x2 fabric
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Back sleeve — cut x2 fabric
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Front sleeve — cut x2 fabric
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Waist band — cut x1 rib fabric
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Cuff — cut x2 rib fabric
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Hood side panel — cut x4 fabric
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Hood center panel — cut x2 fabric
Pattern Marking
Transfer all pattern markings before sewing, including:
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Grainline
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Neckline
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Center front
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Center back notch
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Front armhole
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Back armhole
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Front armhole notch
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Back armhole notch
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Front notch
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Back notch
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Neck round notch
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Side seam notch
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Side seam
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Hemline
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Hem
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Pocket seamline (CF)
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Front pocket guideline
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Top edge
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Bottom edge
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Side edge
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Hood opening
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Cord stitch line
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Seam allowance markings
Cutting Layout
The sewing guide includes cutting layouts for both 45-inch and 60-inch fabric widths.
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Arrange pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams.
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Ensure grainline arrows run parallel to the fabric selvage.
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Pin pattern pieces securely before cutting for greater accuracy.
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The layouts are non-directional.
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Purchase additional fabric when using fabrics with nap or directional prints.
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The illustrated layouts use a medium size for representation.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams. Begin by positioning the pieces on the fabric, ensuring that the grainline arrow runs parallel to the selvage.
If you are using fabric shears, trace the pattern pieces and then cut them out, cutting away any pen, pencil, or chalk lines. Remember to cut out any notches that appear on the edges. These markings help line up the pieces when you assemble the garment.
Use your marking pen, pencil, or chalk to transfer the markings, such as circles, buttonholes, and fold lines, to the wrong side of the fabric. Mark the center front of pieces cut on the fold to help align pieces accurately during construction.
Seam Allowance
Please follow the seam allowances as indicated on the pattern file layers. These are provided specifically for each piece to ensure accurate construction.
This pattern uses a 1 cm (0.38 inch) seam allowance all around, 2.54 cm (1 inch) at the side edge of the pocket and 1.27 cm (0.5 inch) all around the cuff.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
1. Prepare the Front Patch Pockets
1a. Overlock the top and side edges of the pocket.
1b. Fold approximately 1 inch of the side edge of the pocket inward and sew along the edge to finish the pocket opening.
Repeat the same process for the other pocket piece.
2. Attach the Pockets to the Front Bodice
2a. Mark the pocket guideline from the pattern.
2b. Place the pocket on the front bodice with right sides together. Align the center front pocket seamline with the bodice and sew along the seamline.
2c. Fold the seam allowance of the top and bottom pocket edges to the wrong side and press well.
2d. Sew along the top and bottom pocket edges. Then sew a 2-inch line from the bottom edge to the side edge to secure the pocket.
2e. Serge or overlock the center front edge of the bodice.
Repeat the same process for the second front bodice and pocket piece.
3. Join the Front and Back Bodice
Join the front and back bodice by placing them right sides together, aligning the shoulders, and overlocking the shoulder seams.
4. Make the Sleeve Panels and Attach Them to the Bodice
4a. Attach the sleeve pieces by placing them right sides together. Overlock the edges on the wrong side of the fabric to secure them. Keep the seam allowance to either side.
4b. Place the sleeve on the bodice with right sides together, aligning the armhole. Ensure the front and back armholes match using the notches.
4c. Overlock the armhole. Repeat for the second sleeve.
4d. Topstitch along the armhole seam, keeping the seam allowance pressed toward the bodice side. This is known as understitching.
5. Sew the Side Seams
Align the jacket with right sides together, ensuring the side seams are aligned. Overlock along the side seam, beginning at the sleeve wrist and continuing toward the hem.
6. Prepare and Attach the Waistband
6a. Fold the waistband in half with wrong sides together and overlock the side edges.
6b. Pin the waistband to the bodice, aligning the center back and center front notches, and overlock along the seam allowance.
7. Attach the Sleeve Cuffs
7a. Fold the cuff in half with right sides together and overlock the side edges.
7b. Turn the cuff right side out and fold it in half lengthwise. Align the sleeve opening with the cuff open edge and pin together. Ensure the side seams align and overlock along the seam allowance.
Repeat for the second sleeve.
8. Attach the Zipper
8a. Separate the zipper and place the zipper tapes on the center fronts of the bodice with right sides together. Ensure the slider and bottom stop are positioned correctly and sew the zipper close to the zipper teeth.
8b. Turn the zipper tape toward the wrong side and topstitch along the zipper edge. Ensure the stitching aligns with the pocket seamline.
9. Prepare the Hood and Attach It to the Bodice
- Prepare the hood by joining the hood side panels and hood center panels according to the pattern markings and notches.
- Align the hood opening edges and sew the hood pieces together following the construction order shown in the sewing guide.
- Attach the completed hood to the neckline, matching all corresponding notches and center markings before sewing.
- Insert the hood drawstring through the designated cord channel and finish according to the guide instructions.
10. Final Finishing
- Complete all remaining topstitching and finishing steps shown in the sewing guide.
- Give the hoodie a final press and check that the zipper, hood, pockets, waistband, and cuffs are properly aligned.
Ready to Sew Your Own Zip Up Hoodie?
The Winslet's Rue Zip Up Hoodie Sewing Pattern combines the comfort of a classic hoodie with a modern cropped silhouette. With its front zipper, drawstring hood, practical pockets, and beginner-friendly construction, it is a versatile project that you'll enjoy wearing year-round.
Whether you're sewing your first hoodie or adding another wardrobe staple to your handmade collection, this pattern offers a straightforward and rewarding sewing experience. Download the pattern today and start sewing your own Rue Zip Up Hoodie.
Explore More Sewing Patterns
• Browse our Hoodie Sewing Pattern Collection for more stylish handmade hoodies perfect for warm-weather wardrobes.
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Share your finished Rue Zip Up Hoodie Sewing Pattern on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
