My 2 yo has been freezing her little nose off & won't keep her hat down over her ears so I thought I'd make her a balaclava (the kids have nearly strangled each other with scarves so we don't use them). No pattern, too cold to go out to buy one. So here's my attempt (take 2, that is).

I used red fleece from walmart (couldn't bear to cut into any good stuff until I'd tried out the design). I included a 1/2" seam allowance.

Start with 2 rectangles, ~8x21" with the stretch running lengthwise (left to right, see pic) and a smaller piece, 9x6 with the stretch running the other way (that make sense?). The small piece will be the face 'flap' and I actually used a salvage (sp?) edge because I liked the reinforcement along the top. Hem that edge under (top of flap).

Fold each large rectangle in half and cut a curve along one side like pic 1 shows.

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=850987

Picture 2--
Take one large piece, this will be the hood. With right sides together, sew along one side---I implemented a curve at the top so I didn't have a point in the hood (you can faintly see my stitches). Trim excess along curve.

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Continued in replies...

I am SOOOOOO psyched. We take my dd skiing with us (xc skiing...she rides in a little sled behind mom).

I'm working on a design for mittens with sleeves.Darn baby just doesn't get that if she leaves the freakin mittens on her hands won't be so cold!....if it comes out I'll post a similar sew along.

Pic 3---
The other large rectangle is the hood band. Pin one edge to the hood, right sides together & stitch it on.

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=851776

Pic 4---
Fold in the rest of the band to the inside & stitch it. I tried a fancy "hide the seams" technique on my first attempt and botched it up...so this will have exposed seams inside but it'll get you started.

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=851777

Pic 5---
Careful when you get to the bottom edge of the band--you might need to tweak it a little here. See the excess fabric, the triangles at each corner? If you don't ease it like that your band will appear a bit 'twisted'. This happens to me when I bind a quilt too, kind of like when your bias tape gets a little "off?" If you pin before sewing you'll be able to avoid my hassles, LOL.

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Attaching the face flap didn't get a picture. Pretty simple, just sew it to that same hood-meets-band seam so that all of the seams face the inside of the hood, out of sight. Pin it in place on both sides, turn the hood wrong side out and stitch.

This balaclava can be worn a couple ways. You can fold the band back to make it a little easier to see out. You can pull the band forward for maximum wind protection. You can also pull the whole face flap down under your chin. LOL, my baby just woke up and freaked out when I put it on her so here it is on my 5 yo pulled way down. It sits on her face just right to keep out the elements.

You might want to add a band along the bottom edge just to finish it off and keep the wind from sneaking under it around the neck. I did that later in the evening & made 2 more so each of the girls has a nice one & they wore them to school this morning. Even the moms at the bus stop were raving about how cool (err, warm) they looked.

Hope all that makes sense. I was so excited that my first one came out almost right that I snapped the pics for take 2. I'm happy with how it came out considering I had no pattern.

Thanks for looking :)
Michelle

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=851785

And one more just because they look like little hoodlums... :)

Sorry for all the pics, especially to the mamas on dialup!!

Forgot to add---I made the last 2, the cream & blue, in about 20 minutes, start to finish, and added bands to the bottom of all 3. Once you make a couple they are really fast & easy!

Michelle

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=851827

Oh thank you!!! Those are just awesome!!! You're right...scarves are a hazard and are hard for kids to keep in place. This will be perfect!! It's always windy here and the kids need face protection!! Thanks again.

You're welcome :)

My oldest dd lost her first tooth in a 'scarf accident.' My middle dd was riding her around like a horse & the scarf was the reins, LOL...she pulled her just barely loose tooth right out!

Michelle

I wished it would get cold enough here to make those. Wait..no I don't! LOL They turned out great and I wish I had had something like that when we lived in NY! Thanks for the sew-a-long -very clear and easy ;)

That's really cool! We could totally use one of those! Thanks for posting it mama! (((((