Stash to Treasure: Toddler Jean Jacket

Toddlers love dogs.  What could match the thrill of meeting a furry, tail-wagging, panting animal with bright eyes and a big wet tongue?  And then to reach out and--almost touch--before jerking away at the last second.  A dog who waits sedately for that tentative touch is exciting enough for these little guys.

But how about the puppy that plants a paw on a toddler's chest, or a big wet kiss on his face?  That's something a toddler, or at least his mother, will never forget.

I drew this pattern, beginning with pieces from Kwik-Sew's Sewing for Toddlers book.  Then I consulted McCall's 5191 Jean Jacket pattern (now out of print) to divide the pieces into sections and style the collar.  I stitched the appliqué and embroidered paw prints from the Anita Goodesign Baby Puppies collection.

The denim comes from my boys' old jeans, and the appliqué materials and soft flannel lining are all from my stash.

This was a crazy idea, but I like the way it turned out.  Hopefully a little boy we know (or at least his mother) will like it, too!