Sometimes you get more than you bargain for and you are on the winning side.

A couple of months ago I bought this hooded jacket at the local op shop for Miss O.  It was $5.95.  Like everything else, op shop prices have increased significantly in recent years but I still thought this was pretty good value as it did not appear to have any marks and was generally in very good condition.

Miss O loves the jacket and the story could end there but the unexpected bonus was that I was able to trace a pattern from the jacket and used it to make other garments.

There was a similar jacket.  I used snap fasteners rather than a zip.

The same hood pattern was used on a dressing gown.

And now I am making a hooded jacket for Izz.  Here is the hood so far.  I will post some more photos when I finish it – hopefully on the weekend.

I did not have a pattern for a hooded jacket so I have probably saved myself about $15 compared to going and buying a pattern.

Patterns are expensive and I am always happy to find any way that I can create clothes from existing patterns or garments.

Although I cannot draft patterns from scratch I do make patterns from existing garments.  I had a sleeveless shirt which was a perfect fit and when it wore out I disassembled it and made a pattern from which I have made at least 6 other shirts.

I currently have a dress which I love and although it is far from worn out I intend to try to make a pattern from it also.  More on that another day.