How to Make a Vest From Denim
If you are looking for something fun to add to your casual wardrobe, a denim vest might be just what you are looking for. Sewing a vest is a simple project thanks to the fact that there are no sleeves to fit, and working with denim can teach you a great deal about working with heavy fabrics. Denim vests are great projects for both experienced sewers as well as beginners.
Things You'll Need
- Denim
- Heavy cotton thread
- Heavy needles
- Washer
- Dryer
- Pattern
- Scissors
- Pins
- Fastenings
Instructions
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1
Choose your fabric. Though we often think of denim as being the fabric for blue jeans, keep in mind that it comes in different weights. If you are going to be sewing using a sewing machine, make sure that the fabric you choose will go through the machine without a problem.
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2
Wash your fabric as you intend to wash it in the future. It is important to make sure that the fabric you choose can stand up to machine washing.
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3
Dry your fabric on the hottest setting. Denim is made completely out of natural fibers and because of this, it is likely to shrink after going through the dryer the first time.
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4
Find a vest pattern. The website Sewing Patterns has a large selection of patterns from the major pattern makers, and searching their site is very straightforward. Two patterns that might be suitable for your denim vest are Burda 9624 and McCall's 5887. Denim vests are typically unlined, so keep that in mind as you search for a pattern.
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5
Cut out your vest pattern. Remember that the pattern that you buy can cover a wide range of sizes, so make sure that you are looking at the right set of lines before you cut.
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6
Lay out your denim fabric on the floor or on a clean table.
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Pin your pattern pieces to the denim. Make sure that the pattern pieces are laid out as smoothly as possible. If your denim has a pattern on it, make sure that the pattern is running the right way on all the pieces.
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8
Cut out your pattern pieces.
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9
Sew your vest together. There will be instructions to follow on the vest pattern, but you can also simply construct the body panels and then sew up the shoulder seams.
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10
Finish the raw edges inside either through serging if you are sewing on a machine, or through flat felling if you are sewing by hand.
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11
Hem your vest
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Add fastenings. Copper snaps can be quite handsome on denim, as can mother of pearl buttons or pewter buttons. Your vest pattern might also have suggestions.
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Tips & Warnings
When you are sewing denim, whether by hand or by machine, use heavy needles to make piercing the tough fabric easier.
