DIY Layered Denim Jacket

Denim jackets go with almost anything

A denim jacket is a staple in many wardrobes. It's durable and comfortable, and it looks cool no matter what you wear it with. It can be worn all year (depending on where you live); it works for cool nights on the beach or layered with a hooded sweatshirt for crisp autumn days in the pumpkin patch. If you love the look of a layered denim jacket but not the bulk the layering adds to your frame, you can solve that problem with some basic sewing skills.

Things You'll Need

• Denim jacket
• Scissors
• Hooded sweatshirt
• Straight pins
• Threaded sewing machine or hand needle and thread

Instructions

1. Remove the sleeves from the jacket. Cut about 2 inches past the shoulder seam. This seam will keep the rest of the jacket intact, and the cut edge will fray when washed. You can leave the edge on the outside to fray for a roughed-up look, or turn it to the inside for a finished look.

2. Cut the sleeves off of the sweatshirt using the seam line as a guide. Since sweatshirt fabric won't fray, you don't want to include the seam; it will be difficult to sew through, and it will add bulk to your jacket. Cut the hood off the sweatshirt, leaving enough fabric below the seam line of the hood to be able to pin it inside the lower edge of the collar of the denim jacket, while still having enough length to also pull the hood over your head.

3. Turn the jacket inside-out, but keep the sweatshirt sleeves right-side out. Slide the sleeve inside the jacket, align the shoulder edges and pin in place. Repeat for the other sleeve.

4. Sew the sweatshirt sleeves to the jacket by machine or by hand. Double stitch for durability.

5. Pin the right side of the hood to the inside of the jacket collar. Align the edge of the hood with the lower edge of the inside of the collar.

6. Sew the hood to the jacket. Double stitch for durability.

References

• "AlterNation"; Shannon Okey & Alexandra Underhill; 2007