The Inspired Wren Pages

Sew Chic Bubble Guppies


What happens when you combine my love of sewing chic, clean-line clothing with The Peanut's choice in fabrics? Chic Bubble Guppies, of course!


This Sewing Showcase post aims inspire with a unique combination of sewing pattern and fabric.
Scroll to the bottom of this article for full details.


Fleece "Bubble Guppies" Hoodie sewn from Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids Pull Over Parka | The Inspired Wren

Around the time of the mid-Atlantic blizzard, I needed to hit the fabric store for Project Run & Play. A week of snow days meant I had The Peanut in tow. Her modelling contract calls for payment in chocolate, but apparently that does not extend to fabric shopping. I decided to thank her with some shopping of her own -- it was longer than usual trip and I didn't feel it was fair to ask her to be patient for a few hours in one store without a reward. I decided to let her choose any fabric she wanted in the store for me to sew. She took this challenge very seriously and after much deliberation settled on Bubble Guppies in fleece. It's bright red! And yellow! And blue! It's character fabric! It is so far out of my usual style! How could she not choose it?

Fleece "Bubble Guppies" Hoodie sewn from Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids Pull Over Parka | The Inspired Wren

This week I finally sat down with the yard of fleece and eked out a Pull Over Parka in one afternoon. As with the last version of this hoodie, I sewed an original size 4 and finished the neckline with pre-packaged, half-inch, single-fold bias tape. I also finished the edge of the hood with more bias tape (double fold) and the bottom hem with a loose elastic rather than a draw string.

I love a project that sews up in one afternoon. But even more, I love surprising The Peanut with a hoodie I know she'll love!

Fleece "Bubble Guppies" Hoodie sewn from Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids Pull Over Parka | The Inspired Wren




Pattern

Happy Homemade, Volume 2: Sew Chic Kids, Pull-Over Parker (Pattern S) in Size 4

Fabric

Bubble Guppies Fleece  from Joann Fabric and Craft Stores

Notes

Let me reiterate that the neck binding in the book is specified as tri-folded to 1/4" wide and I found it much easier to work with 1/2" single-fold bias tape instead without compromising the look of the final garment. I also like the look and ease of a loose elastic gather at the hem instead of draw-string. 
I've made other items from this book, too: another hoodiea white blousea graphic floral print tunic, and wide-leg pants.

Love

The completely cozy feel of this pattern in fleece! The smile on The Peanut's face when she saw it! 


Ren Murphy writes for The Inspired Wren.

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