How to Sew a Denim Vest

A denim vest is a versatile and unique accessory. It's as easy to make as a regular vest and only requires a little extra attention to get the look you want----whether it's dressing it up or distressing it down.

Things You'll Need

• Vest pattern
• Denim in yardage specified in pattern for the front pieces of the vest
• Fabric for other pieces of the vest in yardage specified in pattern
• Tailor's chalk
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Sewing scissors
• Cutting table
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

How to Sew a Denim Vest

1. Inspect the fabric you have chosen for the front of your vest. If it is distressed in certain areas, decide where you want that to show on the vest front. If it is not distressed and you want a distressed look, treat the fabric before cutting out your vest front pieces. This can be accomplished by soaking a light bleach solution or rubbing with sandpaper. You could also overdye it.

2. Unfold your pattern and iron it with a dry iron to get rid of all the folds. Iron your denim and other fabric. Check the pattern against your measurements to decide which size you want to make. Cut out the pattern pieces in your chosen size.

3. Lay your denim face up and fold in half so that the wrong size is showing. Pin the pattern for the front piece to both layers of the cloth. Trace your pattern pieces onto the cloth using tailor's chalk. Make sure you transfer all markings from the pattern onto the cloth. Cut your pieces out, making sure you allow for the seam allowance specified in the pattern.

4. Iron the fabric for the lining and back of your vest. Place the fabric face down on the cutting table. Pin the relevant pattern pieces to the cloth. Trace around the pattern using tailor's chalk, transferring all markings from the pattern. Cut the pieces out, once again allowing for your specified seam allowance.

5. Assemble the vest according to the pattern instructions. Add buttonholes, buttons and other embellishments as specified in the pattern.