How to Create a Colorful Sweatshirt Jacket

Pam's jacket had in turn been inspired by one that she had purchased in Mexico. Problem was that Pam's jackets were of wool and were hand stitched. Because ours is not a sewing show, I didn't want to be working with patterns and fine machine work so I asked her if she could make one for us using a sweat shirt. Crafters are familiar with the idea of turning a sweatshirt into a jacket. This would be similar but a little grander because I wanted this one to have a collar to disguise its origin.

Pam's response was the wonderfully colorful jacket we featured on the show.

Materials:

one sweat shirt with set-in sleeves
sewing machine
needle and thread
colorful felt
crochet thread

Notes: Be certain to purchase the sweat shirt large enough. Remember, this is to be a jacket that will be worn over other clothing. It may take a while to find one with set-in sleeves because most of them are raglan, but keep looking. They are out there.

Steps:

1. Carefully cut one of the waistband threads and then pull out the stitching to remove the waistband. Cut off the sleeve bands.

2. Spread the shirt out on a table top and cut down the center of the shirt (figure A). You now have a jacket.

3. Turn back one of the front panels with right sides facing. One inch up from the bottom edge, make a couple of stitches going from the folded edge toward the cut edge (figure B). Stop 1/4 inch from the cut edge. Turn the corner right side out. Turn the raw edge along the bottom up about 1/4 inch, then 3/4 inch and trim away the excess fabric at the corner. Repeat on the other side. Turn the front panels in about 1/4 inch, then 3/4 inch and starting at the neckline on one side stitch down the front panel (figure C), along the bottom to the other front panel and stitch up to the neckline. Stitch as close to the folded edge as possible.

4. Cut off the sleeves so they are slightly longer than you want them to be. Turn up a hem and stitch.

5. Measure around the neck of the jacket. Subtract three inches from this measurement. Cut a length of the waistband to this measurement. The neckline on our shirt measured 19 inches, so Pam cut a 16-inch length of the waistband.

6. Fold the waistband length in half lengthwise and stitch up both ends, taking a 1/4-inch seam.

7. Measure in lightly over 1-1/2 inches from the corner of the neckline and place the right side of one end of the waistband at this spot (figure D and E). Pin and then stitch the waistband all along the neckline. Stitch in the ditch already formed where the neck band is attached to the shirt. Finish up a fraction of an inch more than 1-1/2 inches from the other end of the neckline. NOTE: On the show I said 1-1/2 inches exactly but later realized that I had said to cut the waistband piece three inches shorter than the neckline then start sewing them together 1-1/2 inch in from the end. I neglected to allow for the 1/4-inch seam taken when you fold the neckline in half and stitch the ends together. Obviously the waistband will then be 1/2 inch shorter.Only a fraction of an inch is involved but didn't want to confuse you).

8. Once the back side of the waistband is stitched to the neckline fold in the raw edge on the other side of the waistband and hand stitch it to the neckline. You have now made a collar.

9. From the remaining piece of the waistband cut two, 4" x 6" pieces. Fold back 1/4 inch along one short edge and along one long edge and stitch. Fold back the remaining long edge at an angle (figure F). Cut off excess fabric and hand sew along the angled edge. Do this to both 4" x 6" pieces.

10. Place one of the above pieces at the neckline to cover the protruding corner at the collar and hand sew in place (figure G). Repeat with the other flap on the other side .

11. Buttonhole or blanket stitch (figure H) or cross stitch around all outside edges of jacket (figure I) except the collar.

12. Draw desired design and letters that you want to use to decorate the jacket. When you have what you want, cut out the pieces and use them for pattern pieces for cutting out the felt pieces. Do not be afraid of using a lot of bright colors. When all felt pieces are cut out start sewing them to the jacket using crochet thread and a large needle. To outline her letters and designs, Pam used a V-shaped stitch, which gave the impression of having cut the felt with a decorative edged scissors (figure J).

13. Wear and enjoy!