Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Sweet Pea toddler's denim jacket


This baby or toddler jacket, in soft blue denim with pretty pink velvet and crème lace accents is made from a pair of cast-offs jeans. Worn denim has a wonderful soft hand-feel and texture that can be re-made into “new” clothes for toddlers, giving the clothes a romantic, charming and very hip look for very little time and a tiny budget. I made this as a baby gift and it was inspired by photographs of antique doll’s clothing and my interest to re-cycle and make by hand. I really enjoyed making it!


The pattern is a size 92cm, and is sewn with ½” seam allowances.

Materials:
A pair of cast-off jeans – adult size
4 1/2 yards x 1 3/8” crème cotton lace
1 1/2 yards x ½” wide pink crushed velvet ribbon
Thread to match the denim, the lace and also a shade deeper than the denim (I used black thread but ochre is another option)
The front, back and front side panel pattern pieces
Your sewing machine and sewing basket

Cut the denim:
Wash your jeans. Cut the jean legs off and cut them open along the inseam. Press them open and lay them flat on the table. Lay your pattern pieces on them to decide the best placements (the straight grain is usually down the center of the jeans.) When you are happy with the placement, pin and cut out your pieces.
--Note: I cut the right side pieces from one leg and the left side pieces from the other leg, and in this way I balanced the worn denim texture.
Soak the denim pieces and tumble dry to get the softly frayed edges. Press.
Sew the jacket:Sew the front side panel to the front piece.
Ease the side panel excess into two tucks. Sew dart.
Sew the center back seams.
Press all seams.
Sew the overarm seam and press.
Sew the underarm seam, clip and press.

Sew on lace:Cut off a 12” strip of lace and reserve for the back bow detail.
Starting at the bottom sideseam, pin the lace all around the outer edge of the jacket with ¼” tucks about ¾”.
--Note: Narrow the amount the lace extends beyond the denim edge to ½” around the neck to the waist point.
Baste in place, remove pins and sew with a zigzag stitch, ¼” from the denim edge with the denim thread in the needle and the crème thread in the bobbin. Repeat around the cuffs. Remove basting.
Finish with a row of hand running stitches, using the contrasting thread, ½” from the denim edge.

Sew on the Ribbon:Cut two strips of velvet, 12” long. Attach each strip, with a ½” fold back, to one end of the front darts. Sew securely with hand stitches using the crème thread. Cut the loose velvet ends on a diagonal.
Make a back velvet bow, with a 2 ½” spread. Tack at the center back waist with a 12” strip of lace folded in half, underneath. Cut velvet and lace ends on a diagonal.
Finishing:Trim any really gangly denim thread ends. Knot securely all threads.
The jacket is adorable layered over a pretty dress, or knit t-shirt and leggings with pretty boots.



18 comments:

Rach said...

Thanks so much Nancy, I made a second one of the Sweet Pea for a friend's daughter. Such a beautiful design I'm so glad I found it. My mum is now looking out for second hand jeans for me to recycle into other creations!

Nancy said...

wonderful to hear your news. i adore the soft, worn denim for little toddlers and will try to get some more designs up soon!

Anonymous said...

This is amazing. I can't wait to make one. Thanks for the pattern! If you get some time, I'd love for you to check out my blog (free patterns there too!)

Sarah Forbes said...

This is an amazing idea. thank you!

Nancy said...

thank you so much for your kind comment Sarah. Happy sewing!

PayPal casino said...

The authoritative answer, it is tempting...

Nancy said...

... so, why not make a denim heirloom!

Unknown said...

I love the sweet Pea toddlers denim jacket and would love to make one but, I cannot find the link to print the pattern pieces. You are so talented and have such neat ideas! Thanks so much for this pattern, can't wait to make it!!

Unknown said...

I love the sweet pea toddler denim jacket but, cannot find the link to print the pattern pieces. I'm looking forward to making this. Thanks so much !!

Unknown said...

How can I print the pattern pieces for this denim jacket. I love this and can't wait to make it. Thanks so much!

Nancy said...

It's adorable and I am so happy you will make it. I posted the pattern a while ago, so let me find the pattern and re-link it to the post.

Unknown said...

I'm so excited, thanks !
So sorry for leaving so many comments but I couldnt see them so I would do another, and another....

Nancy said...

I just linked the patterns and the instructions here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/98456626/Sew-a-Little-Denim-Jacket
Happy sewing!

Unknown said...

Eeeeeeck !!!! So excited......Thank You !

Anonymous said...

Wow this is amazing I am going to make this for my controlled assesment in textiles

Nancy said...

wonderful and i wish you lots of success! cheers, nancy

Anonymous said...

disappointed - can't download or print this without paying to scribd

Nancy said...

I was not aware that Scrib charges a fee!! I will look for another method or if you know of another method please let me know.