How to Make a Kid's Western Vest

Making kids' Western vests can be fun for the whole family. This method to make a Western vest involves no sewing and can be accomplished by a child aged 5 or older. Parental help is suggested, however. If this project is being conducted in a classroom setting, it is possible to pair up the children and let them create their own version of kids' Western vests. Please note, in these instructions, that "bottom" refers to the open part of the paper bag and "top" refers to the enclosed part of the bag, opposite the opening.

Things You'll Need

• Large paper bag
• Scissors
• Pencil

Instructions

Make the Vest

1. Hold the paper bag up next to the child who will wear the western vest. Hold the top of the bag to the top of the kid's shoulders and make a mark at the bottom of the bag, with a pencil, the approximate location of the top of the kid's hip.

2. 

   Use this mark as a starting point to cut a curved line from one side of the bottom of the vest to the other. This line should emulate the natural curve that most vests have. Erase any remaining pencil marks.

3. 

   Cut a slit in the front of the paper bag from the bottom of the bag to the top. This will be the opening of the Western vest.

4. 

   Cut a hole in the top of the paper bag large enough to accompany the child's neck in the Western vest. To make kids' Western vests seem more authentic, try cutting an angled neck hole, as seen in the diagram.

5. 

   Cut an arm hole on each side of the bag. The arm holes should be large enough to fit the arms. For the best appearance, cut a small section of the arm holes out of the front of the paper bag as seen in the image.

6. Fit the child with the kid's Western vest and trim as needed for a better fit. However, trim only small amounts. It is easier to remove more than it is to replace that which you have already trimmed away.

Decorate the Vest

1. Get the Western vest soaking wet with water. This can be accomplished with a spray bottle or by immersing the vest in a tub of water. It is okay to bend and fold the vest during this step.

2. Wring out the water by bunching up the Western vest into a small ball. This will aid in removing all sharp edges from the kids' western vest that may result in paper cuts. It also gives the vest a rough leather look.

3. Flatten out the kid's Western vest, without removing many wrinkles, and let dry completely.

4. Add any desired adornments. Many kids enjoy trimming a fringe around the edge of the Western vest by cutting small slits all around the edges. Some parents prefer to add a running stitch around the edge of the vest. Most kids, however, enjoy drawing a sheriff's badge or western scene onto their own Western vest.

Tips & Warnings

• If unsure of your cutting skills, mark all lines with a pencil before cutting.

Resources

• More kids crafts