Easy Sewing Tutorial: Make Your Own Teddy Jacket
This DIY teddy jacket is so easy to make! The fuzz of the jacket hides all your mistakes (I would know, zippers are not my strong suit) so you don’t have to stress about being exactly precise. The jacket is also super comfortable and perfect for the cold winter weather.
Tools and materials:
- Two yards of fabric
- Zipper
- Sweatshirt
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
Cut out your fabric
To begin, lay your fabric out and fold it in half. Find a sweatshirt that you like the fit of and fold the arms underneath. Then, cut around the edge of the sweatshirt to get the same shape. To make sure the sides are symmetrical, I usually cut out half the sweatshirt, then fold the fabric over and cut out the other side.
Connect the bodice
Once you have two bodice pieces, lay them out right sides together and sew across the shoulders and sides.
Make the sleeves
Repeat the same process with the sleeves. Lay the sleeve across the folded fabric and cut around the edge. Next, fold it in half and cut again to receive a symmetrical shape. You should be left with two triangle-shaped pieces of fabric. Fold the sleeves in half, right sides together, and sew down the edge to make a tube.
Connect the sleeves
At this point you should be left with three pieces of fabric; one bodice and two sleeves. Take your sleeves and turn them right side out and slip the sleeve into the inside out bodice. Align the seam of the sleeve with the bottom seam of the armhole in the bodice. Pin all the way around to secure. Repeat with the other sleeve and sew both sleeves onto the bodice.
Add the collar
I went ahead and cut out about two inches for a lower neckline, but you do not have to do that. Regardless, measure the circumference of your neckline. Mine was 25 inches. I cut out a rectangle that was 25x4. Next, measure the halfway point of the sweatshirt and cut a little notch. Line up the collar with the notch and pin it all the way around. Sew along that line.
Add the zipper
Place your zipper on your inside out sweater and mark off where the bottom reaches. Cut to that point. If you’re unsure, be conservative - it’s better to cut less now and add later, than the other way around. Pin the zipper onto the sweater. By the collar, only pin on the backside so that the zipper can remain hidden. Take the extra zipper fabric and tuck it inside the collar and then use a top stitch to sew.
To finish the sweater, just roll over the bottom and hem with a topstitch. There you have it, how to sew a teddy jacket. It’s cozy, warm, perfect for winter and so easy to make!
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Thank u for very plain simple instructions i do have a question if thats ok how did u decide 2yards of fabric for the project and roughly what size would this make id like to make for my granddaughters my daughter and myself due to medical problem. The only comfy items i can ffind for myself have to be bigger than i really need so making my own would be really useful thank u
I have never used a store bought "pattern". I love seeing a person use what they have to come up with something amazing! Just wanted to share an idea that I use. If you have a top that is too short, I buy a T shirt of complimenting color at a second hand store, and add about 3-4 inches to the bottom of existing shirt (of similar fabric). I also do the same type of thing if I want to make a 3/4 length sleeve into a long sleeve. I might not have explained this right but the results are always amazing! Keep up the good work!