I had this boxy yellow jacket that I love but that did not fit me well. In my sewing group, I asked for suggestions on making it over. Several people suggested turning it into a waistcoat, so I began the makeover by removing the sleeves.

Then I modified the fit by adding darts to the fronts and the back. I loved one suggestion made: “Lovely fabric that’s begging to be turned into a sensation more fitting to its tone. I’d take out the seams and add blue fabric of a similar weight. Loads of blue fabric, not just to widen the fit, but to extend it to calf or ankle length. I’d use a blue velvet and add a cape like swing to the lower width.”

It so happens that I had Blue velvet coat that I’d gotten at a clothing swap; the coat was too small so I’d already removed the sleeves but had not finished altering that coat. Now it had a new purpose! I cut off the bottom of the velvet coat and stitched that beneath the hem of the yellow jacket, then hemmed the armhole openings. I love the final result! We got to make our first outing Friday evening,  including a headshot session from a photographer at our Center for the Arts! I added captions to photos. EnJoy!

Yellow and Blue Jacket

Yellow and Blue Jacket 2

Yellow and Blue Waistcoat

Yellow and Blue Waistcoat 2

Yellow and Blue Waistcoat 3

Blue Velvet Jacket

Blue Velvet Jacket 2

Blue Velvet Jacket 3

Yellow and Blue Waistcoat 4

Yellow and Blue Waistcoat 5