How to Make a Hippie Vest for Kids
The words flower child, retro 60s, fringe, tie-dye and peace signs are often synonymous with hippie clothing. Garments, such as T-shirts, vests, bandanas and flared bottom jeans are quickly transformed by mixing patchwork, geometric and paisley patterns with solid-color fabric. Kids can easily transform a basic vest into a hippie-inspired fashion statement by adding trims and eccentric fabric inserts.
Things You'll Need
- Sketch pad
- Colored markers or pencils
- Fabric (your choice; approximately 1 to 2 yards)
- Lining (optional)
- Trim (your choice)
- Flexible tape measure
- Pre-made vest pattern
- Pattern paper
- Dark pencil
- Ruler
- French curve ruler
- Paper scissors
- Straight pins
- Fabric scissors
- Tailor's chalk
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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Sketch your vest in your sketch pad. It is best to use colored markers or pencils to add any trim inserts into your vest such as fringe, beading, off-beat printed linings, or a peace sign graphic.
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Choose your fabric and trim. For example, you can select a mock suede vest and insert fringe at the front and back vest panels. You can also make the vest in denim and sew on decorative flower tack-ons around the border and add a contrast floral print lining. You can also opt to make a patchwork by mixing corduroy, floral and paisley prints or denim, chambray and suede.
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Take your child’s measurements with a flexible tape measure. It is important to have your child’s height in inches prior to your pattern purchase. Take measurements for the chest, waist and back waist length, which is taken from the bottom of the back neck to the waist. These specifications will determine which vest pattern size is best for your child.
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Purchase a pre-made pattern in your child’s size. If you are adding a printed lining, it is best to use a pattern with a lining insert. The fit and pattern will be different for a single face fabric vest. Although vest patterns are not challenging to make, you will be altering the pattern with your own seam work design. It is best to have a pre-made pattern to ensure the fit is correct. Keep the original pattern for future use and reference.
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Cut out the pre-made pattern, and trace the outline of it directly onto your pattern paper with a dark pencil. You will be altering the duplicate pattern according to your design. Keep your original pattern for future reference. Use your ruler and French curve ruler for any shaped front panels or shaped seam work. Add the necessary seam allowances. Notch your patterns for fabric and trim placement. Make markings for braid, ribbon or fringe inserts as reminders prior to stitching fabric parts together. Cut out all your pattern parts with your paper scissors.
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Pin your patterns, and cut out your fabric parts with your fabric scissors. Pin any special trims in between seams such as fringe or braiding to avoid shifting when sewing. It is important to add any decorative patches, graphic screens or embroideries to the vest’s shell prior to attaching the lining.
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Add a long basting stitch to attach your fabric parts, and try on your child. Make any necessary fit adjustments prior to construction. Mark your button or snap front placement with your tailor’s chalk.
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Stitch your vest shell and lining shell separately with your sewing machine. Pin the right sides together, with the wrong sides facing out, and machine stitch together. Leave the bottom open.
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Turn the garment inside out. The right sides will be facing out. Add your buttons, snaps or the remaining embellishments to finish your garment. You can mix the vest with your child’s everyday wardrobe as an accent piece or wearable art.
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References
- "The Sewing Book"; Alison Smith; 2009
- "Pattern Making by the Flat-Pattern Method: Fifth Edition"; Norma R. Hollen; 1981
