I learned to sew as a child. Since I never had much experience with patterns until I was an adult, I learned how to make a lot of things on my own. My Grandmother, Clara Jarvis, taught me to “remake” things in order to “make do” with what I had. She had come through the Depression, World War 1 and every war since. She truly understood what tough financial times were. Through her and my mother, I learned how to do things most people today seem to have forgotten.
I have made several jackets without patterns over the years. I have taught friends and family these simple tricks. None cost a lot of money and all will provide you with something to keep you warm on cool or cold days.
Each jacket will detail the items you will need. This article assumes the reader has some sewing knowledge and skill. If not, these are great beginner’s projects. Websites, community classes and books abound in teaching sewing skills. If you have a friend who sews, perhaps you could trade work he or she needs for lessons.
Sweatshirt/Denim Jacket
My brother had a denim jacket and an old sweatshirt. He got grease all over the front of the sweatshirt and somehow managed to nearly destroy the sleeves of the jacket. He gave them to me when I asked. He really laughed when I told him what I was going to do with them. At that time, we were similar in size.
I removed the jacket’s sleeves and set them aside. The sweatshirt sleeves were in good shape; I removed them, cut them to fit me and the sleeve opening in the jacket and attached them. I removed the jacket’s collar and attached the sweatshirt’s hood. A few years later, this became a commercially made fashion.
You can take a sweatshirt that may or may not be fleece lined and split it down the front. Attach a zipper in order to close it over the front of your clothes. Design and attach a hood to the neck. You can line the new jacket with polar fleece for added warmth.
Denim Jacket
If you have an old, worn out denim jacket that is no longer usable but still fits, you can turn it into a pattern. Carefully take it apart and use the pieces as a pattern for a new jacket. You can use old blue jeans for the new parts. Take care to establish the grain when you do this.
If you have a commercial pattern for a t-style top, you can use a blanket or polar fleece to create your own jacket. There is no limit to what you can create. Line your new jacket with polar fleece, crocheted granny squares or quilting lining you make yourself.
Source: The author has over 40 years of experience in designing, sewing and creating clothing.
