If you have a pair of jeans that no longer fit you or that are faded, then you might consider re-purposing them into a denim vest.A pair of jeans can be used to make a vest.Basic sewing skills and a few special tools are all you need.Try changing your old jeans into a vest to get more use out of them, and add a fashionable new item to your wardrobe.
Step 1: The leg material should be removed from the rest of the jeans.
To make a vest out of a pair of old jeans, you need to use the largest area of the jean material on the legs.To remove the leg material from the jeans, cut across the tops of the legs about an inch or two below the crotch.Remove enough fabric to cover the entire vest.Place your old vest or t-shirt over the jean leg material to check for this.
Step 2: The inseam of the jeans can be opened with a seam ripper.
To make the jean leg material work for your vest, you need to open it.To do this, use a seam ripper.To cut the threads, run the seam ripper blade along the inseam of the jeans.As you pull the seam apart, discard the cut threads.To do this, use a sharp seam ripper.If you don't have a seam ripper, you can use scissors to cut through the threads, but it may take a bit longer.
Step 3: There is a vest shape over the leg material.
Lay the jean material flat.To trace the shape of your vest onto the jean material, use a piece of chalk.It's a good idea to trace 1” outside of the edges of your vest.This will make sure that you have enough material for seam allowances.If you want your jean material to be in the center of your pieces, line up the outer seam.If you don't have an old vest, you can use a t-shirt with the sleeves folded inwards.
Step 4: The lines should be cut along them.
Cut along the lines after you have traced your vest pieces onto the jean material.Don't leave jagged edges and cut carefully.You will have two pieces of the same material when you are done.Make sure your scissors are sharp.It is difficult to cut through denim.
Step 5: The neckline needs to be removed for the front vest piece.
The back of your vest should be undamaged.Take the other piece and cut a triangle from the top of it.The neckline and chest area of your piece will be located on the opposite side of the triangle.The cut should be deep or shallow.A shallow triangle cut will show less of your chest than a deeper one.
Step 6: The front vest piece should be divided into two parts.
Cut the middle of the piece to separate it into two halves after you have made the opening for the neckline.Cut all the way to the bottom of the triangle from the tip.The outer seam in the middle of your vest piece can be cut out.You should have two identical pieces for the front of your vest when you finish cutting down the center.
Step 7: The back vest piece should be pinned to the front vest pieces.
The right side of the material should be facing up.The right side of the front vest pieces should be facing down.Line up the edges and then pin along the sides to keep everything in place.
Step 8: Along the pinned edges, sew along.
You can begin sewing after you have lined everything up.From the edges of the jean material, sew about 12”.Ensure that the seam is secured by going over it twice.To sew your vest, use a heavy duty needle and thread.If you use a dull or fine needle, it can cause damage to your material or a broken needle.Ensuring a secure hold will be helped by heavy duty thread.You should only sew the pinned edges.Don't sew over the armholes, bottom of the vest, or any other areas that are not pinned.As you sew, remove the pins.
Step 9: The thread needs to be trimmed.
After sewing your pieces together, use a pair of scissors to trim away any excess threads that are left.When you are done sewing, you will have several hanging threads.
Step 10: Try on the vest.
If you turn the vest right-side out, you can try it on.Unless you want to add details to it, your vest is ready to wear.
Step 11: It's the edges.
You can either leave your edges raw or hem them.The edges will be smooth.After you wash the vest for the first time, leave the edges raw.If you want your vest to look different, hem the edges or leave them raw.If you decide to hem the edges, fold over about 12” (1.3 cm) all the way around the edge of your vest.To secure the hem, pin the edges in place, and then sew a zigzag stitch along the pinned areas.The zigzag stitch can be used to prevent fraying on the inner part of your seam.Don't do anything if you want to leave the edges raw.
Step 12: Attach your jeans to the vest opening.
Attach the waistband from your jeans to add a neckline to your vest.To preserve the button and button hole, remove the waist band from the top part of your jeans.The right sides of the material are facing and the raw edges are lined up if you pin the waistband to the neckline of your vest.The button and buttonhole should be even in the center of the waistband.Remove the pins as you sew to connect the two pieces.The opening of your vest will not be covered by the waistband.It will give you some interesting details and a button closure for your vest.
Step 13: You can add pockets.
If you want, you can sew the back pockets of your jeans onto the vest.To remove the pocket panels from the back of your jeans, use a seam ripper.Place the pockets on your vest where you want them to go.To secure the pockets, sew along the sides and bottom edges.The seam should be from the edges of the pockets.As you sew, remove the pins.When you're done, cut away any excess thread.