How To Make A Reversible Vest Using Fabric Scraps

Let’s make a reversible vest from some leftover fabrics! This project actually helped me use up not only some leftover fabric, but also part of an old torn bedsheet, and the striped gray material used to be a button-up shirt. Does that mean this counts as an upcycle? Well, I’m counting it…

Welcome to project number five in the #UseUpYourStashChallenge! If you’ve been following along this whole time, you know we’re in a push to use up some of our extra crafty material stash before the end of the year. You can check out some of the other projects here:

• How To Make A Reversible Bandana For You Or Your Pet
• How To Make A Tulle Overlay Dress
• How To Make A Layering Mesh Top
• How To Make Your Own Statement Pants

Today’s reversible vest is a gift for my sister-in-law, who also doesn’t know she’s getting this yet. I’m so excited to see what she thinks this Christmas!

Also, if you recognize the periwinkle fabric below, it’s from this Tulle Overall Shorts project! Go check out that post next if you’re looking for more projects to make out of a similar-weight fabric.

Now let’s get into sewing!

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Approximate time put into this project: 4-5 days, with 2-4 hours put in each day

Disclaimer: I am trying to teach myself the Metric System, I will always try to include both measurements in my tutorials, i.e. centimeters and inches, meters, and yards. Though I have been using them interchangeably in my everyday sewing life lately, I apologize if I miss including both or switch between the two too often.

Creating Your Pattern Pieces

To start, we will need to create a pattern piece for the whole vest so that we can later cut it apart if wanted, i.e. if you’re making a patchwork design. To do this, fold your reference garment in half and trace it onto the wrong side of your biggest fabric piece. Remember to take creative liberties here and change the design of the front opening or of the neckline if desired.

Add your seam allowance and straighten out your lines. Because I was using a vest that already fit my sister-in-law, I added 1″ (3cm) of seam allowance. If you want your vest to be oversized, add 2″ (5cm).

Make sure you add a little extra length to the bottom hem, I added 1.50″ (3.50cm). If you are doing a different closure than a simple tie front, you will need to add additional seam allowance to the center front as well.

Cut out your first piece, flip it over, and cut out another piece for the other side of the vest.

For the back of the reversible vest, place the two front pieces you just cut and trace around them, remembering to adjust the neckline accordingly. Or trace around your reference garment, remembering to add your seam allowance.

Now for the fun part where we use up your scrap fabric pieces. Using the pieces you just cut, trace, or simply cut around all the other fabric pieces you want to add to your garment until you’re happy with the look and you have enough pieces to essentially create two vests.

I took the first pieces that I cut and chopped them at a midway point on the armpit, then used that as a pattern piece to cut out the other two fabrics.

Sometimes the pieces don’t all look good together right away. Make sure you play around with designs until you get a look you really love.

Finally, go crazy and cut as many ties and pockets for your reversible vest as you want. I was able to pull one already-made pocket from my scrap pile and used that as a template to cut out my other pocket. If you don’t have a reference, cut a rectangle about 5.50” (14cm) by 5.50” (14cm), then add two angles to the bottom.

If you need more help making pocket patterns, check out this Shorts Pattern Tutorial.

For the ties I cut two long strips on fold, about 1″ (3cm) wide. But I ended up trimming them down afterward because I didn’t like how thick they were.

Sewing The Reversible Vest

Before we begin sewing anything, make sure you give everything a really good press with your iron. It’s okay if some of your pieces are cut a little jagged or aren’t quite perfect after you iron them, we’ll trim them later and it will all work out fine!

With everything ironed, pin your pieces together, good sides facing. Sew these together and zig-zag stitch or overlock the raw edges, creating full pattern pieces for the vest once again.

Iron the sides of your pockets and sew down the top edge. Then pin the pockets to the front of your vest pieces and sew two lines to secure it in place.

Taking your six vest pieces, pin each front and back piece to its matching pair along the shoulder and side seams. Sew and zig-zag stitch or overlock the raw edges. You should now have two vests.

Take your two vest pieces and nestle them inside each other, good sides facing. Pin all around the neckline and down both sides. Do not pin the bottom hem or the armpits. Trim any uneven pieces on fold to ensure everything is even and one side of the vest isn’t smaller than the other.

Making The Two Vests One

Before you sew everything together, we’ll need to add the ties. You can add as many as you want, I opted for two longer ties for a loose, relaxed look.

Take your fabric pieces for your ties and fold them together lengthwise, with good sides facing. Pin and sew along the long edge, then finish with a zig-zag stitch or overlocker. Turn your pieces right sides out using a safety-pin and iron them.

Trim the ties to your desired length and pin them sandwiched between your vest layers. Make sure you leave .50″ (1cm) of the tie hanging over the edge. Double-check that they’re even on both sides and the seam of the ties are all facing the same direction.

Sew the vests together along the pinned edges, zig-zag stitch or overlock the raw edges.

Snip the seams around the neckline so that it sits nicer. Then turn the vest right sides out, pulling out any corners. Iron the vest so everything sits together properly. I recommend pinning the ironed edges and sewing a top stitch along the edge to ensure the vests don’t shift.

Sew a zig-zag stitch or overclock the bottom hem of your vest and the armholes, this will make it easier to attach our bias tape later.

Finishing Touches

For the last steps, we’re going to close the ties and add bias tape to the armholes and bottom hem.

Let’s start with the easy one. Using a sewing pin, tuck the raw edges of each tie into itself and pin it in place while you prep the others. I recommend hand-sewing these so your sewing machine doesn’t eat the ends. Simply take a sewing needle and tie a knot onto the end of your thread. Then hand sew an invisible ladder stitch onto the end of each tie.

For the bias tape, we’re going to sew it like you normally would any other bias tape. Opening up the narrower side of the tape, pin it in place, and sew a stitch right along the crease of the tape. Once you’ve finished that, simply fold over your bias tape to the other side, pin, and sew – ideally – a stitch in the ditch to secure everything in place.

If bias tape isn’t your forte as it isn’t mine, I recommend using a matching thread to your bias tape and sewing as close to the edge as you can, making sure to capture the bias tape on the underside. Then pat yourself on the back for a job well done. You learned today and grew better for next time! I’m proud of you!

Finished Results

That’s it for this reversible vest! Do you think you’ll make one? Tell me what type of fabric you’re thinking of using and if you’d add more pockets than I did.

If you decide to try this project, tag me on Instagram @doorsandfloorsblog and use the hashtags #UseUpYourStashChallenge and #DoorsAndFloorsBlog so I can see what you make!

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P.S. Looking for a fun activity you can do with a friend while working on tedious crafty tasks, download our free trivia here.

Playing trivia is a great way to keep your mind active and have fun with your crafty friends and family while busting out those seam ripping, crocheting, and other time-consuming, but necessary, crafty tasks.