How to sew a children's hoodie with ears – materials, supplies, and tips for beginners

Helena Lachowiczová
2026-03-26T15:34:49+01:00

Do you want to sew a children's hoodie with cute ears? In this article, you'll learn what material to choose, what supplies you'll need, and how to do it even as a beginner.
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When I started sewing for children, I sewed a children's hooded sweatshirt with ears. The kids were thrilled and it looked so CUTE! Now I sew in a slightly different style, but I still think an ear-hoodie is the basis of a first sewing experience :-)

Come with me for a detailed look at how to sew such a hoodie :-)

What material to choose for a children's hoodie with ears?

The right choice of material is important. But you don't have to worry that it's rocket science. In fact, it's not. Here are my tips for nice and functional materials that will be easy to sew.

Brushed or unbrushed sweatshirt fabric – a classic choice, pleasant, warm, easy to sew. Brushed fabric has a soft fleece on the reverse side. Unbrushed fabric is lighter, thinner, and has loops on the reverse.

Modal or bamboo sweatshirt fabric – a more luxurious option, more drapey and shiny. It sews just like its cotton counterparts.

Waffle knit – a thicker fabric with a beautiful texture, a hoodie made from it looks very effective.

Rib knit over 220 g/m² – a thicker rib knit that holds its shape and looks beautiful - pay attention to the grammage, you really need to read it. Anything below 220 will be too thin.

Fleece (coral fleece, polar fleece, anti-pilling) – the warmest option, great for winter. These materials are either cotton or polyester but they don't fray and you don't need to finish the seams.

Tip: For your first hoodie, I recommend using brushed sweatshirt fabric, and you can use knit fabric for the ears and the inside of the hood.

How much material will you need?

The amount of fabric depends on the size. Roughly, however, expect the consumption to be the same as for any hooded sweatshirt. Plus, the ears will always fit into the cut-out.

Sizes 56–92: approx. 0.8–1 m of fabric (150 cm width)

Sizes 98–164: approx. 1–1.3 m of fabric (150 cm width)

What machine do you need?

You need to sew a knitted fabric hoodie with elastic stitches. Ideally, a straight three-step stitch, or use elastic threads.

And you will need a sewing machine. You can't just hand sew it. Or you can, but it would take forever.

Overlock machine – the ideal choice. Seams are strong, stretchy, and finished. If you have an overlock, definitely use it.

Standard sewing machine – sufficient if it has an overlock or other elastic stitch (e.g., a triple stitch). Then finish the seams with a zigzag or overcast stitch.

What needles to use?

For sewing knits, you will definitely need good needles. If you've been sewing for a while, I definitely recommend checking out this article.

Standard machine: jersey or stretch needles, size 70–80

Overlock machine: stretch or jersey needles, size 70

Other supplies and tools

Fabric scissors or rotary cutter – for precise cutting

Pins or fabric clips – clips are more practical for knits, they don't distort the fabric

Thread – polyester threads are more elastic than cotton, more suitable for knits

Iron – for pressing seams and the finished product

Tailor's chalk or marker – for transferring the pattern to fabric

Where to get a pattern for an ear-hoodie?

If you're looking for a proven pattern that even a beginner can handle, try our Aspen PDF pattern – a children's ear-hoodie in sizes 56–164. The pattern includes an ebook with detailed photo instructions, a projector file, and a version for home printing on A4.

How to sew the Aspen ear-hoodie step by step?

Prepare the individual parts of the hoodie by tracing them onto baking or pattern paper and cut out the individual pieces according to the pattern.

Step 1 - First, place the front and back pieces right sides together and join the shoulder seams, which you will pin and then sew on the overlock.

Step 2 - Then set in the sleeves. First, pin the mark on the sleeve cap to the shoulder seam, then pin along the entire length. After pinning, sew on the overlock (sew along the sleeve).

Step 3 - Now pin the sides and sleeves. First, pin the underarm seams together. To make them align nicely, you need to fold each seam in different directions, as shown in the photo.

Step 4 - Once the underarm seams are pinned, pin the rest of the side seam along its entire length and sew on the overlocker. Sew from the end of the sleeve along the entire length, to the end of the hoodie. Sew both sides this way.

Step 5 - Now, let's prepare the ears. Place the top piece and the lining piece right sides together.

Step 6 - Then, sew around the perimeter with a straight stitch, but be careful not to sew the bottom hem, as this is where we will turn the ears right side out.

Step 7 - Then, don't forget to trim the seam allowance as small as possible at the tip of the ear so that it is nicely pointed when turned inside out (but be careful not to cut through the stitching).

Step 8 - Then, turn the ears right side out, iron them, and then fold the pleat according to the pattern to create a nice ear shape :) For better insertion into the hood, I recommend stitching the very edge of the seam allowance with a straight stitch to prevent the ear shape from shifting when sewing.

Step 9 - Now it's time to sew the ears into the hood. Make a cut in the outer hood pieces according to the pattern. Then insert the ears into the cut (right sides together) so that the inner part of the ears faces forward after sewing.

Step 10 - After pinning, sew with a straight stitch so that the entire incision is closed. Sew a little further past the end of the incision so that the seam gradually fades out.

Step 11 - Once the ears are sewn, it's time to sew the two parts of the hood together. Place both pieces right sides together (ears out, so you don't accidentally sew them in) and then sew the center hood seam together with a straight stitch or on the overlock.

Step 12 - Then, we will sew the lining pieces of the hood together. These pieces no longer have the cut-out, so we simply place them right sides together, pin them, and sew the center hood seam with a straight stitch or on the overlock.

Step 13 - Now, let's sew the lining hood into the outer hood. Insert the lining into the outer hood right sides together. First, it's important to join the hoods at the center seam of the hood's front (again, open the seams in opposite directions).

Step 14 - Then pin the remaining circumference of the hood opening and sew with a straight stitch or on the overlocker.

Step 15 - Now we can turn the hood right side out. I'll pin the front of the hood, iron it, and stitch along the edge with a straight stitch to reinforce it and prevent the lining from twisting out.

Step 16 - Now, let's take the rest of the hoodie. Lay the shoulder seams on top of each other to mark the center of the back and front neckline.

Step 17 - The next step is to sew the hood into the neckline. Insert the hood into the sweatshirt right sides together. First, pin the center seam of the hood to the center of the back piece and then pin it all around the neckline. The hood has an overlap at the front, so one side will be pinned over the other at the front.

Step 18 - After careful pinning, sew on the overlocker. In the photo, you can also see how the overlap in the front neckline looks after sewing.

Step 19 - Now, prepare the hem of the hoodie. Fold the hem right sides together and sew on the overlocker along the short side. Then fold it in half so the right side is out.

Step 20 - Sew the prepared hem into the sweatshirt. Insert it right sides together into the sweatshirt, pin the hem seam to the side seam of the sweatshirt, and then pin evenly all around the circumference. Finally, sew on the overlocker.

Step 21 - Next, prepare the cuffs for the sleeves. Fold the cuff right sides together and sew on the overlocker. Then fold it in half so the right side is out. Prepare both cuffs this way.

22. step - Sew the prepared cuffs into the sleeves. I will place the cuff right sides together into the sweatshirt, pin the cuff seam to the sleeve seam, and then pin it evenly all around the circumference and sew it on the overlocker.

23. step - And you're done! Now just turn it right side out, iron it, and enjoy your new piece :)

If you like this simple pattern, you can find the pattern itself here:

PDF pattern 56-164

printed pattern 56-164

Have you sewn according to this guide? Leave me a comment here on how your sewing went and how you like the pattern.

Helena Dobrozenská