Mens Vest

by sunshiine

20K1412

Intro: Mens Vest

Looking for a super easy Valentine's Day gift to make your Valentine?  This vest is quick and easy to make and you don't need a lot of sewing experience to make one.  If you can sew around a curve evenly, your good for this.  My husband is always cold and loves to wear vest but he can never find one that will fit in the length.  I finally started making his shirts and vest so he could wear clothes that fit,  in the  colors that he likes.  I made this vest from a pattern about five years ago.  The vest fit him perfectly so I ripped out all the seams and used the vest to make him two new ones.  He was very reluctant to let  me to destroy his favorite vest though. This vest is wool lined with a zipper.  It is fast and easy to make. You can see the old vest was very worn.  

STEP 1: Materials

4 Yards 45" fabric pre-washed, dried, and ironed.
4 Yards 45" wool fabric pre-washed, dried, and ironed.
Matching thread.
A vest with all the seams, threads,  and pockets removed and pressed.
18" Metal zipper

STEP 2: Tools and Supplies

You won't need everything I listed here but it is helpful to have them in case you need to make adjustment.   Iron.
Ironing board.
Sewing machine.
Zipper-foot attachment helps to sew a close seam but it is optional.
Scissors.
Seam ripper.
Thread.
18" Metal zipper.
Straight edge optional.
Tape measure. optional
Sewing pins.
Marker.
Chalk optional.
Label optional

STEP 3: Pattern Layout

Before cutting: Check how large the seam allowance is on the existing vest as you may need to add extra for a seam allowance before cutting out the vest or the fit will be too small.  


Spread the fabric out on a table.
Lay the back vest piece on the fold of the fabric and pin it into place. Cut one.
Lay the front vest pattern piece on the selvage edge of the fabric and pin it into place. Cut 2 from fabric.
Lay the pocket piece on the straight edge of the fabric and pin it into place. Cut 4 pocket pieces.

STEP 4: Pockets

With right sides together sew the top of the pocket together following the lines.
Turn.
Trim loose threads.
Press.
Place the pockets to the front of the vest and pin into place.
Edge stitch the pockets to the vest front leaving the sides open.
Top stitch for a finished look.


STEP 5: Wool Lining Layout

Spread the wool fabric out on a table.
Lay the back vest piece on the fold of the wool fabric and pin it into place. Cut one. This will become  the lining for the vest. 
Lay the front vest pattern piece on the selvage edge of the fabric and pin it into place. Cut 2 from wool fabric. This will become the lining for the vest.

STEP 6: Sew Vest Front to Vest Back

Sew vest front to vest back with right sides together.
Trim loose threads.
Press seams open.
Set aside while you sew the vest lining in the next step.

STEP 7: Sew Vest (Lining) Front to Back at Shoulders

Sew the vest lining front to the vest lining back at the shoulder seams with right sides together.
Trim loose threads.
Press seams open.

STEP 8: Pin the The Vest to the Lining

Pin the lining to the vest matching the seams at the shoulders and sides wrong sides together.  
Sew around the front opening and neck area edges 5/8".
Sew around the sleeves 5/8" leaving the sides open.
Clip the curved area.
Turn right side out.
Press.


STEP 9: Sew Lining Side Seams

Pin in and sew the lining side seams.

STEP 10: Sew the Vest Side Seams

Next pin in and sew the vest side seams.

STEP 11: Zipper

Next separate the zipper so you have two pieces.
Pin the zipper pieces to the right side and left side of the vest as shown.
Using a zipper-foot stitch as close to the edge as possible. 
You will need to move the zipper pull towards the top of the vest so you can continue sewing down the vest front. 

STEP 12: Top Stitch for the Finished Look

I think top stitching around all the edges adds style to a garment.  
This step is optional.  
I top stitched around the sleeves, hem, neck, front band, and pockets.

STEP 13: Label

Sign the label.
Center the label on the neckline of the vest on the inside of the vest and pin into place.
Iron according to the directions.

STEP 14: Sunshiine's Final Thoughts

My husband was happy to get a couple of new vest and loved the way they fit.  I am sure your Valentine would appreciate a nice vest to stay warm this winter.  Vest are fairly simple to make and lining them is quite easy also. 
Thank you for stopping by and please do stop in again soon.  
Sunshiine

12 Comments

susanrm 12 years ago

Very nice. I can see upcycling some old wool clothing from a thrift store for the lining. Also, there is rarely any reason to need to wash in hot water; only if you are concerned about killing bugs or major germs. Cold water does great for just about everything and is much kinder on clothes. The agitation is what gets them nice and clean.

sunshiine 12 years ago

Thanks for sharing Susanrm! Yes, I hear you about hot water but you know guys can be set in their ways. I have asked him not to wash clothes but he still does. He never did until he retired LOL. I don't want to discourage him from helping but the truth is I would rather clean totally myself. Have a beautiful day!
Sunshiine

Penolopy Bulnick 12 years ago

That looks really comfortable! Wonderful job Sunshiine!

sunshiine 12 years ago

Thanks for commenting Penolopy Bulnick! Have a great day!
Sunshiine

SIRJAMES09 12 years ago

canucksgirl, don't be so sure....
when it comes to serious sewing, I'd screw up a one car funeral. :(
I do good to sew a straight line let alone a curve...

Sunsniine, you're have to be the most wonderful Lady I know! That vest, the Instructable, the pics,....all of it, fantastic!!!!!!!

How much you want to make me one?? $50? $60? more? that vest + your time & effort is more than worth it!!

TY for sharing Ma'am.

sunshiine 12 years ago

Thank you SirJames09! Have a bright day!
Sunshiine

pecospearl 12 years ago

I agree canucksgirl, professionaly done. Sis, you make it look so easy too. Your honey is one lucky man!

sunshiine 12 years ago

Thanks so much for your support! He has been strutting his vest around the house happy as a Lark! Hope you have a beautiful day!
sunshiine

canucksgirl 12 years ago

WOW sunshiine. I am impressed. Not only did you create a great looking vest, it looks professionally done! You're instructable is also very well documented with fantastic photos that I'm sure even a novice could follow this and successfully make their Valentine a great gift such as this.

Super Job!!!

sunshiine 12 years ago

Thanks canucksgirl for commenting! I hope someone will try this method. Have a great day!
sunshiine