living the DIY lifestyle: Nursing Hoodie

I saw a nursing hoodie online that I love but it's over $40. I already have a hoodie pattern, called the compass hoodie, so I decided to try altering the pattern a bit to make it nursing friendly. I wanted something warm so I used micro fleece. A stretchier knit might give better nursing acces but from what I can tell there is enough stretch in the micro fleece. I haven't been able to test it out yet because I'm still pregnant.

This is not a full pattern or tutorial for making a nursing hoodie. It's only the first couple steps on how to alter an existing pattern.

You will need a hoodie pattern

Enough fabric for your size according to your pattern

Your fabric needs to have some stretch

*update: I made a second one using 2 fabrics with 4 way stretch. The purple is cotton Lycra. I forget what the floral is but it also has 4 way stretch and is a bit thinner and softer than the purple. It was "flawed" fabric from girl charlee I got for $2 a yard!!! If you order from Girl Charlee too be sure to use coupon code 42716 to save 10%.

So here are a couple better pictures I took with a quick overview. More detailed instructions follow with my black micro fleece hoodie.

Basically you need a hoodie pattern. All you need to do is cut one extra front piece and cut that piece down the middle. Now take the full front piece and fold over the sides a few inches or measure where the pocket will go and fold over to that point and stretch stitch down both sides. Place the 2 separate front pieces down and carefully line up the full front piece over that. Pin in place and baste stitch over the arms and neckline. Now place your pocket in the spot your pattern shows and sew that on over both layers. Continue with your pattern's directions.

This picture is hard to see. It shows where I placed my pocket. If when you try on your shirt the side flaps don't lay right you can fix in by sewing them down starting from the pocket and stitching straight down to the bottom.

Here are detailed step by step picture directions showing my micro fleece sweatshirt.

Cut out your pattern. Instead of one front piece cut two. The second piece you will cut down the middle from top to bottom. With the uncut piece fold over the ends a few inches and pin. Update: the only thing I would change about this step is fold the front piece over enough so that the edge meets up with where the pocket will go. I haven't tried it this way I just think the sweatshirt might function a bit better.

Now top stich where you pinned using a stretch stitch.

Next, carefully lay the uncut piece over the cut pieces. Line them up and pin at the shoulders. Optional also pin at the collar.

Sew or serge as close to the edge as possible at the shoulders and optional at the collar. Make sure both pieces line up as you sew.

Again, making sure top and bottom pieces are lined up pin the pocket in place. You will be sewing it on both layers of fabric. Follow your pattern's directions for how to sew your pocket.