TUTORIAL: Upcycle It: Men's Suede Shirt to Cowboy/Cowgirl Vest

Whether you are looking for a quick Halloween DIY project, or just looking to have some fun by upcycling some old clothing, this tutorial will show you how to make a Cowboy/Cowgirl vest from a an adult size suede shirt.

I made this particular vest from a shirt I scored on eBay for under $7.00!  

Yep...and the best part is that I cut it to maximize as much of the "finished" edges and buttons as possible.  MINIMAL work folks, minimal work!

Ready to learn how?  Here we go.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• An old suede shirt
• A shirt that fits your child (to use as a template)
• A paper bag or pattern drafting paper
• Sewing Tools & Supplies 
• A rolled hem foot would be useful, but not necessary

MAKE YOUR PATTERN

First, grab a shirt that fits your child...you may want it a smidgen on the larger side, but not on the smaller side.  You are going to use this to make your pattern.

Fold the shirt in half and line it up with the edge of your pattern paper (or bag).  Trace around the shirt stopping at the top and bottom seam line shirt sleeves.  Lift the sleeves and create a curved line to join these end points together to create the shape of the vest sleeve. 

You are going to draw 2 of these, one for the front and one for the back.  The neck line will be higher for the back piece.  (I drew them both on one paper to show you the difference, but remember, you will be making TWO pattern pieces).

Next, cut your pattern pieces out leaving 1/2" for seam allowance.  This means DO NOT CUT ON THE LINE you drew.  Estimate 1/2" all around it and cut there.  Take a look at the picture below.

Once your pieces are cut, label them to avoid mistakes.  You only have one shot at this!

CUT THE FRONT

Now that you have your pattern all ready, it is time to cut up that shirt.  Take your time here and read through all the directions before beginning!

Place the front pattern piece RIGHT SIDE UP on top of the RIGHT SIDE UP / RIGHT SIDE of the unbuttoned shirt.  IMPORTANT: Be sure to align the very bottom of the pattern with the very bottom and along the finished edge of the shirt. This is going to allow you to utilize both the buttons/button holes and the finished bottom hem!

See the finished bottom hem?  See the button holes?  Less work later!

Next, lay the CUT fabric vest front as your pattern piece down on the other side of the original vest RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.  The front of the cut vest piece will be facing down.  Align the bottom hems, and the edges making sure the button holes line up properly.  (We use the cut piece instead of the pattern to ensure the button holes are properly aligned.)  Pin in place and cut.

Place your two cut pieces side by side to see how they look. and relish the fact that all the button work is done!  That just saved you about 30 minutes of work!  Woo hoo!

CUT THE BACK

Now fold your old suede shirt in 1/2 down the center WRONG SIDES TOGETHER so you can cut the back of the vest.  (Be sure not to cut up the hanging pieces because you are going to use a large piece later for fringe.)  Lay your pattern piece aligning the edge with the fold.  

This time, instead of aligning the patter with the bottom hem, you are going to place the pattern up higher to take advantage of that nice shoulder seam across the back.  Use your eye to place this appropriately.  Mine was about 1/2 way down from the arm top opening.  Pin in place and cut.

Next, you will want to lie the front pieces of the vest on top of the back vest piece RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER so the shoulders line up.  Now, see how the bottom hem isn't lining up?  We need to trim that.

Go ahead and clip away the excess along the curve, leaving about 1/2" to hem up.

If you have a rolled hem, you will want to use it to hem up the bottom.  If not, simply fold over 1/4" twice and sew the hem.  Good!

CREATE THE FRINGE

Now lay your back piece down and measure across that back seam line.  

Using a piece of leftover shirt, cut a rectangle the width you measured by 4.5" long.  On the BACK side of this rectangle, draw a line 1" down from the top across the entire width.

Now draw a series of vertical lines about 1/2" apart across the entire piece starting at that vertical line you just drew.  This will be your fringe.  DO NOT CUT IT YET!

Take a few minutes to hem up all four edges.

Place the rectangle on top of the vest RIGHT SIDE DOWN, so the part without the fringe markings is lined up with the back seam line of the vest.  Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew the rectangle to the shirt.  Flip down the flap and top stitch the flap down using another 1/4" seam allowance.

ASSEMBLE IT

Now it's time to put the vest together.  Pin one of the front pieces to the back (RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER) at the shoulder and sides.  Use a 1/2" seam allowance to sew.  Repeat for the other side.

FINISH IT

Use a rolled hem foot to finish any unfinished edges (armholes, neckline, etc).  If you like, you can serge or use a zig zag stich to clean up the seam allowance.

To finish, simply cut the fringe using the guidelines you drew earlier.

HOWDY cool is that?

You have a fully lined, buttoned, fringed vest with minimal work that looks like you spent DAYS on!
Just add a cowboy hat, a bandanna, a pair of jeans, shirt and boots....

The total cost of this costume:  $13.00
Suede Shirt: $7.00
Cowboy Hat:  $5.00
Bandanna:  $1.00
Boots, Jeans & Shirt:  $0  (her closet)

Gotta love it!