What can I sew from an old jacket?

In anticipation of spring, many women are thinking about how to update their wardrobe. Not everyone has a gold card with a large margin for expenses, but almost everyone knows the situation when the closet is full of clothes, but there is nothing to put on. If this is your case, then it's time to conduct an audit in the wardrobe, carefully sort through the available things and not rush to throw them away. From old, boring clothes, you can get a new, exclusive, if you put a little effort and imagination into it. Remodeling or even simple decor can create a real miracle. Today we offer to find out what can be sewn and how to remake a thing from an old jacket on a synthetic winterizer or a down jacket.

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What do you need to sew or alter an old thing?

Almost any old thing can be made much more interesting and transformed beyond recognition if there is a penchant for creativity, because strength is in the details, every needlewoman is sure of it. How many boring outfits can be resurrected by adding a piquant collar, embroidery, slightly changing the cut, decorating the thing with lace fabric.

But before deciding what can be sewn from an old jacket, it is worth preparing a simple set of tools that will come in handy at work, and which, most likely, is in everyone's house. So the list is as follows:

• thread with a needle;
• scissors - it is better to stock up large and small;
• chalk or remnant for marking;
• if you are planning a difficult alteration or you have to change a lined jacket, you may need a sewing machine;
• paper, better tracing paper - with its help you can transfer the picture to the fabric, if you decide to decorate the old thing with embroidery.

Important! A list of materials with which you can go to the nearest sewing accessories store should be made after you decide on how to transform your old clothes. There is a large selection of options that limits only your imagination.

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Updating an old jacket

The most common problem on old things is scuffs, which most often appear on the elbows or at the entrances to the pocket. The simplest option is to mask them with embroidery, applique or other material. If your old jacket still looks pretty decent, and you want a more spectacular transformation, then there are many options:

• When it comes to the “second” life of an old thing, it is worth paying special attention to various stripes. They can be purchased at a sewing store, cut out from other unnecessary things, or create your own. It is better to arrange them on an old jacket in a chaotic manner - on a shelf, on the back, on the sleeves.

Important! Appliques of different sizes on different details on jeans clothes will be appropriate. To create a rock, punk or glam chic style is an ideal option.

• Another effective technique to update an old thing is to paint it. This can be done with both a textile jacket and a leather one. In the case of jeans, even ordinary bleach is suitable. Dissolve it in water, immerse part of the jacket in it, keeping it on weight, and wait a certain time. Thus, you can get an interesting ombre effect on clothes.The leather jacket is transformed with the help of a special dye and a cotton sponge, which create stylish scuffs on the sleeves or the main part of the product. Various inscriptions or prints printed on fabric using stencils will also look great. Make them better with spray paint.
• Riveting is one of the most popular materials for home remodeling. They can decorate part of the sleeves, shoulders or back. Metallic accents will be appropriate even on the collar or cuffs, if any.
• If you are not a fan of punk style, then metal can be replaced with sparkles or crystals. They are sold in any specialized store. Such decor, as a rule, is sewn onto clothes in a certain order. Things completely embroidered with sequins look stylish - the old jacket will not be recognized. True, this is painstaking and long work, but the effect is worth it. Also, these elements can be glued - then you will need a special textile glue. When working with it, be careful, make sure that particles of the composition do not remain on the surface to be decorated, otherwise - as a result, the product will look messy.
• Win-win, especially on denim, look white lace inserts. It does not even require the use of a sewing machine. Using scissors, cut out the desired shape, for example, in the form of a heart, and sew a piece of lace fabric from the inside along the contour. Any other here will also look quite appropriate.

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Converting a jacket into a vest

All these decor elements can be embodied in your new vest. This piece of clothing is the first thing that comes to mind when the question arises of what can be sewn from an old jacket.

If you are transforming denim clothes, then there is nothing easier than cutting off the sleeves and loosening some of the threads so that they look like a fringe. If we are talking about a jacket made of leather or another fabric with a lining, then it is better to use the following instruction:

1. First, with the help of chalk or remnant, we apply the future armhole line to the front of the fabric.
2. Only after that, so as not to cut off the excess, we tear off the sleeves. Or we make a cut, repeating the contour of the armhole, stepping back from the planned line of 2-3 centimeters - these will be allowances for the seams.

Now you have to choose the option of processing armholes that you will be easier to perform:

• Gently bend the front of the product 2-3 cm inward and sweep the fabric. Repeat the same operation on the wrong side of the product. After - combine the resulting edges, it is better to pin them with pins. Then - connect the front part and the inside on a sewing machine, retreating from the edge of the fabric 1-2 millimeters.
• For the second method, you will need a slanting inlay. It can be either a fabric decorative strip or a leather decor. It is better to take decor with a width of 1 centimeter or more - for the convenience of work. Also, manually sweep the front part of the future armhole from the wrong side, cover the seam with an inlay from above. First, it is better to notice it by hand, combining the edges so that the machine seam is even and runs along the inside of the inlay, and along the front.
• The third option will require more time and effort, but in the end the product will have a neat appearance. To do this, open a small section from below, turn the old jacket inside out. Then, in the armhole, connect all the parts together - front, back and insulation, and lay a seam. It is better to first sweep the parts manually, unscrew, make sure that they are level, that there are no distortions, then - turn the product inside out again and flash it on the machine. Before unscrewing the vest, make small notches at the bend of the armhole. This will help to prevent tissue tightening and wrinkles. Now it remains only to process the bottom of the product with a hidden seam - the part that was ripped open, and the new vest is ready.

Important! If you are not new to sewing, you can neatly tear out the places where you can sew up your sleeves and tailor new ones according to old details.Sleeves made of textile fabric in combination with the same hood will look very appropriate on a leather jacket. And vice versa - clothes made of ordinary material will look stylish with new leather sleeves.

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Converting a jacket into a bag

Another option that you can sew from an old jacket is a wonderful bag. This method is especially relevant when it comes to remaking a leather product. Beforehand, it is worthwhile to tear the clothes into parts so that it is more convenient to cut out the details. Further consider the following recommendations:

1. The pattern of the bag can be found on the Internet, but you can independently determine the dimensions of the accessory and place its main details on the fabric.
2. The main details of any bag, as a rule, are supplemented by side elements that will give the product volume. Usually, a strip of the required width is taken as the basis, the length is determined by adding the values ​​of the three sides of the main part.
3. Do not forget about convenient pockets in which documents, keys and other important trifles should fit.
4. In order for the internal seams from the skin not to puff, it is worth discouraging these places with a hammer. This must be done through the fabric, so as not to leave marks on the material.
5. If your old jacket is lined with fabric, do not rush to throw it away. It is also useful for alteration - repeat the main details from it and make an inside pocket with a zipper.
6. Everyone chooses the length and width of the handles for themselves. If this is a big bag, then it is better to make them thicker so that the accessory can withstand the weight of what will be inside. Remember that these parts must be double-sided, that is, for two handles you will need 4 strips of fabric that are sewn together from the inside and turned on the front side. For a more accurate look at the edges of the handles, lay finishing lines.
7. The base of the handle can be sewn between the front and the lining, and to strengthen these places, wash small squares of leather on top.
8. The last element that your future bag will need is a zipper. It is also inserted between the lining and the front.

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Converting a jacket into a clutch

This option is the easiest. Even a beginner can handle it. All you need is a ripped old jacket and zipper. Once ready, follow these instructions:

• The main and only detail of the future clutch is a rectangle, which will be folded in half.

Important! When cutting it, be sure to leave seam allowances.

• Then attach the zipper to one edge of the rectangle with pins and sew with a sewing machine.

Important! For the skin, it is better to use special Teflon feet, then the seam will be even and neat.

• Now sew the second part of the zipper to the second part of the rectangle in the same way.
• Turn the part inside out, use the ruler to mark the side seams and grind them on the machine.

Now it remains to turn the clutch to the front side and decorate it.

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Other ideas

An old leather jacket gives you a lot of options for remaking:

• From it you can make a vest, children's jacket, gloves - both long and short, various thin or massive bracelets.
• A great option for alteration - home slippers. Here you only need the insole and the front of the shoe - the toe.
• Wallets, phone cases and keys can be made the same for the whole family, and it will have to spend only one evening on needlework.
• From the leather cut into neat details - petals, you can even make a beautiful floral panel.

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Useful Tips

Before deciding what can be sewn from an old jacket, it is worth taking advice on how to update such material. It all depends on what problems are:

1. You can give a presentable appearance to the old material with the help of special dyes, which are sold in many stores in the form of aerosols. Before applying, the skin must be cleaned with a damp sponge and wait until the moisture is completely dry.
2. After prolonged wearing, cracks and abrasions appear on the skin. Getting rid of them is pretty simple. Rub the damaged area with a regular hand cream, and the result will not be long in coming. The fresh orange peel will perform the same function.
3. Unknown stains can be removed by making a soap solution and adding a little ammonia. After processing the material with such a composition, be sure to wipe it with cream or castor oil.
4. Rust is removed using refined gasoline. It will also help get rid of oil or nitro stains. To do this, the sponge is moistened in the fuel and gently treat the stain with gentle movements, dissolving and washing it.
5. Traces of a ballpoint pen can be removed by mixing medical alcohol and acetic acid. It is better to work with this solution with gloves to protect the skin of the hands.

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Stock footage

Now you know that you can sew from an old jacket. You can make a new thing for your little daughter with your own hands, or you can replenish the collection of handbags without leaving your home. The main thing is not to forget to work with the material at the preparatory stage, so that the skin looks more presentable, and the new product from it - as if from a store counter. By the way, do not forget about rework options. It may well be that the jacket will serve you faithfully, without major changes in cut.