The practical and versatile vest is a great addition to any outfit. Luckily, with a little sewing knowledge, you'll have no trouble making a vest for yourself or a friend. Take your equipment and follow these instructions. In just a few hours you have made a new outfit!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making Patterns
Step 1. Trace a halter or t-shirt (with the sleeves rolled up so you can see the sleeve holes) onto a piece of newspaper or a brown paper bag that has been stretched
This simple method ensures that your vest will stay snug without the hassle of measuring etc.
Step 2. Add about 1.25 cm around the outline to space the seams
The seam spacing is the part that will fold when you sew the edges.
Step 3. Make the front which is divided into two sides
To make each side, fold the t-shirt in half vertically and trace around it, adding some seam spacing to the outer edges. If you like, leave a little space for later stacking, for example for a place to attach a push button or button.
Step 4. Create the back by spreading the t-shirt and tracing around it
Again, add a distance of 1.25 cm as the seam distance. Remember, the back has a higher neckline than the front, according to your design.
Step 5. Cut out the pattern pieces and check again
Fit the pieces together to form the vest, ensuring that the armholes and hem lines are aligned.
Step 6. Prepare the fabric
You'll need at least 1 to 1.5 meters to make the vest, and the same width to make the lining.
- The lining is the part that is inside the vest, and is placed back to back with the outside.
- If you're not sure what width of fabric you need, take your pattern to a fabric store or crafts store and ask for help. Better an excess of cloth than a shortage.
- You can choose the type of material to make the vest. Think about the season in which you select the ingredients. For example, you can choose light wool for fall, velvet for winter, kelobot for spring, and silk or sheer cotton for summer.
Part 2 of 3: Sewing the Vest
Step 1. Cut the fabric
On a wide work mat, spread the fabric. Place the pattern piece on it, pin it so it doesn't shift. Use a pen to trace the outline to the fabric.
Step 2. Mark the seam line on the back side of the fabric (the side you won't see in the final result)
Remove the pattern pieces and use a pen to mark them with a dotted line around the fabric at a distance of 1.25 cm from the edge (as the hem distance). You will follow these lines when sewing the vest.
Step 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 on your lining fabric
When you're done, check the lining pieces to align with the vest pieces.
Step 4. Using a sewing machine, glue the two sides with the sides facing each other, vest layer to vest layer, inner layer to inner layer
At this stage, you won't be sewing the vest lining with the inner lining, but working the two parts separately.
- The sides together mean that the inside of your seam – the part that touches – is the face of the fabric (the side with the pattern and/or the side that will be visible), while the back side is facing out.
- At this point, you can press the edges of the fabric with an iron if possible.
Step 5. Sew the vest and the inner lining together, leaving the shoulder edges open
Align the vest and lining pieces to ensure that the seam edges and shoulder openings align. Pin them both and sew on all sides except the shoulder edge (the top between the neck and shoulder openings).
Step 6. Turn the fabric inside out by pulling it through one of the shoulder openings
At this point, the face of the fabric will be visible on both the vest and the inner lining.
Step 7. Pin and sew the shoulder edge
First fold the top 1.25 cm from the back shoulder piece down, then insert the front shoulder piece. Pin the end of the shoulder seam and sew together the back, 0.6 cm from the edge. Repeat on the other shoulder edge.
Step 8. Add a row of 0.6 cm of opaque stitch along the edge (optional)
The opaque seam is a seam that is visible from the outside of the vest fabric. While sometimes unsuitable for some types of vests, this stitch can add a tidier look. You can make press stitches with a sewing machine.
- To create a soft press stitch, use regular or thin thread that is the same color as the fabric. To create contrasting stitches, choose a thicker thread and/or a contrasting color.
- Press the vest with the iron before adding the press seam for a more precise seam spacing.
Part 3 of 3: Adding Cover
Step 1. Determine the type of cover
If you choose to cover your vest, you'll have to decide how. Buttons and pushbuttons are common and easy to install.
Measure where you want to attach the cover. You can estimate the top and bottom covers and then measure and mark where the center cover should be. Make sure you mark the position the same distance from the edge so that it aligns
Step 2. Add pushbuttons with the pushbutton fixing tool
Follow the specific instructions on your installer. First attach the convex part on one side, then attach the concave part on the other side.
Step 3. Add buttons by making buttonholes and sewing the buttons on the opposite side
- To make buttonholes by hand, sew two parallel tight lines of stitches and connect the top and bottom ends (these are called bar tacks). Pin both ends of the holes, right at the bar tacks, and slice the fabric in between using a scissor or small sharp scissors.
- Alternatively, your sewing machine may have extra shoes for buttonholes. You are lucky!
- Sew the button on the opposite side of the buttonhole.
