How to Make a Waistcoat Out of an Old Blazer

Tools and materials:

• Blazer
• Seam ripper
• Free vest pattern
• Paper
• Measuring tape
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Scissors
• Buttons

1. Seam rip the blazer

First, seam rip the blazer. This step may take a while. I have my lining in one pile, the shoulder padding in the second, and the actual fabric in the third pile.

It’s important to do this carefully so you do not rip the fabric. 

2. Cut the pieces

Use the free vest pattern and customize it to your own measurements. Once you have your pattern, cut the fabric accordingly.

I messed up the pattern pieces a little, and you will see this later in the tutorial. That’s why you should do this carefully and ensure you have enough fabric for all the pattern pieces. 

Tip: Press each fabric piece before cutting out the pattern, ensuring a smooth and even pattern piece. 

3. Sew the back of the waistcoat

For the two rectangular pieces that measure 5cm (1.96 inches) wide and 40cm (15.74 inches) long, fold them and stitch them closed along the raw edge. These will be the ties at the back.

Sew the back pieces down the center. 

Next, sew the side back pieces to the center-back pieces. Make sure the fabric is right sides facing. 

Sandwich the tubes between the layers, as shown. 

4. Sew the front of the waistcoat

Match the lower and upper notches for the front pieces and sew them together.

Next, repeat all these steps with the lining. 

5. Add the waistcoat lining

Connect the fabric and the lining, right sides facing. Sew the neckline, sleeve, and bottom of the back part. 

Then, connect the fabric and lining of both front pieces. 

This is the part I mentioned where I messed up. I forgot to mirror some pieces. The front lining piece had seams on the side. To fix this, I decided to fold in the seam allowance and sew another line. 

6. Connecting the shoulders

Connecting the shoulders is a little tricky. Put your hand between the lining and fabric of the front side piece and pull the shoulder seam of the back part into the front shoulder seam.

Like this, you can connect them right sides together and sew to secure. 

Watch the video from 4:03 minutes to see exactly how I do this. 

Connect the front side seams to the backside seams and sew to secure. Finish the stitch with a zigzag stitch afterward. 

7. Add buttonholes and buttons

After that, I added buttons and buttonholes to the front placket, and you’re good to go! 

How to make a waistcoat

I hope you learned a trick or two with this tutorial on how to make a waistcoat. I’m really chuffed at how this DIY waistcoat turned out, considering the little mess up I had with the lining.

Thanks for joining me. Let me know what you think in the comments below.