Batman Hoodie on the Cheap: $3.00 Thriftshop Style

Want a cool Batman hoodie, but too cheap to shell out the money (like I am)?  Here's the answer.  Aside from some thread and a sewing machine, this project only costs $2.98.

We found these online while searching for options, but $40.00 - $50.00 was too much for something my son will outgrow in a year.  He liked the simple version without the belt but wanted the mask and cape.  The belted one was a bit too loud for his taste.

this is the link for the simple version.  for some reason I cannot hyperlink it.

http://www.80stees.com/products/zip-up-batman-hoodie?adtype={adtype}&utm_source=goog-merch&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=BAT085-S&gclid=CNrR1Ji7iLoCFcI7Mgod_E8A5g

Step 1: Head to the Thrift Shop

Pick up a hoodie type and color of your preference.  In this case, a black and grey hoodie (zip up).  Pick out an inexpensive sweatshirt to match the fabric style. You can pick one out of the kid's section and find them a bit cheaper

Zip up hoodie = $1.99
Donor sweatshirt = $.99

Next run home and begin.

Step 2: The Tear Down

take apart the donor sweatshirt at the seams.  We'll be using each piece so take your time and work carefully.

Step 3: Cape

The two sleeves will be sewn together to make the cape for the new sweatshirt.

Step 4: Patterns

Now we need to make a few patterns.  

Pattern #1: The Bat.  

Print out a Batman logo of your preference (in this case traditional) and make sure it's sized to fit.  Cut the pattern out and fold it in half.  Once the pattern is ready, lay it on an area of the donor sweatshirt without a hem and trace it using either a white crayon, chalk, or tailor's chalk. If you have a non zip hoodie trace the whole shape.  If you want the zip up style, trace each half together or separate and make sure you end up with two halves of the logo.

For the zip up style, we'll be using one half on each side of the zipper.

Pattern #2: The Cowl

Draw out the cowl pattern and curve the top so it matches the curve of the hood.  You may have to give this one a try or two to make sure you have the eyes and nose in the right place.  I recommend test fitting the pattern before transferring and cutting.  Once you are happy with the pattern, transfer it to the fabric and cut it out.

Step 5: Accents

For the ears you can cut small triangles of fabric from the hemmed area.  The hem will help the ears stand up off the hood.  Cut the hemmed area at an angle so when you fold the sides it doesn't bunch.  Fold the hemmed side in to the center and sew it down.  Then fold the un-hemmed side to slightly overlap and sew this as well.  You can add stitching up each side to help with the stiffness.  Then sew a stitch line across the bottom to finish the ear.

For the forearm spikes, you will need three for each side.  These can be cut from the un-hemmed fabric.  Fold one side in and stitch it. Fold the other side over this part so the unfinished part matches the fold from the previous part. Add a stitch here as well.  Once you have that, sew a stitch across the bottom and repeat five more times.

Step 6: Assembly

This is the final step(s).

Assemble your hoodie in any order.  I began by sewing the mask into the hood.  Once that was complete, I attached the ears to the outside keeping in mind they should be higher on the head so they stand up.  Next were the arm spikes.  These were attached at the seam. (you could also separate the sleeve seam and sew them in).  I chose to leave them outside since the sleeve color and the spikes matched.  the cape should be sewn across the shoulders or at least at two points.  Last was the bat logo.  I left a little space so as not to interfere with the zipper.  They can always be sewn closer, or you could opt for a heat transfer print.  Now it's complete and functional.