How to Sew a Fleece Vest

A fleece vest can add that special touch of warmth to your wardrobe. It's just the thing on a chilly day to ward off the cold. You can easily sew a fleece vest even if you have minimal sewing skills. You can decorate it to wear seasonally or leave it plain to wear through the various seasons. Read on to learn how to sew a fleece vest.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pattern
• Fleece
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Fleece binding
• Felt (optional)
• Needle (optional)
• Embroidery floss (optional)

1. Choose a pattern. You can make your fleece vest by using a vest you already own as a pattern or you can purchase a pattern. Be sure to choose a simple pattern with shoulder and side seams only. Avoid details like pockets and buttons.

2. Purchase the fleece material. If you want to make the vest double layered or even reversible, purchase twice the amount of fabric. Also purchase the fleece binding.

3. Pre-wash the fleece. Machine wash it and dry it in the dryer without fabric softener sheets.

4. Cut out the fabric. Cut both the outer and lining fabric. You can omit any facings that the pattern might have.

5. Sew the shoulder and side seams for both the inner and outer layers of the vest. Place the two vests together with their wrong sides together. Pin the edges, matching seams.

6. Pin the fleece binding to the raw edges. Sew in place as you would for bias tape binding. If necessary pin and/or baste the binding first.

7. Draw or copy a seasonal shape on a piece of paper. Transfer the shape to the felt. Cut it out. Sew it in place by hand using a blanket or other decorative stitch. For more defined stitching, use embroidery floss.