DIY Fur Coat into Fur Vest

Happy New Year everyone.

Hope you have all had a fantastic time celebrating with your loved ones.

I am ringing in thee new year with a DIY project.

This year, I want to renew and reuse more items instead of buying new things.

I bought this vintage fur coat from Talize a while ago.



I never actually worn it. Aside from the nonstop rainfall all of the cold months in Vancouver, I have always wished that it was a slimmer cut.

I have toyed with the idea to tailor it or make it into a vest. Laziness and fear prevented me from doing either.

Recently, I finally wore the coat out and realized that I would definitely wear it way more if it was a vest.

So I readied the supplies and went to work.



You will need a seam ripper, scissors, needle and some thread (best to use a similar colour to your coat).

Let's get started.



Lucky for me, there was already a hole in the armpit. Further my resolve to complete this project.



Flip open your coat and expose the inner sleeve seam.



Take your seam ripper and start taking the stitches apart.





Keep going until you reach the top of the sleeves. It will usually be held together by the seam of the shoulder and the actual sleeve itself.



Just cut it with some scissors.



Repeat that to the other side of the sleeves as well.

After the inner seam of the sleeves are completely severed, it is time to do some cutting.



Flip the sleeve inside out.



All you have to do is cut it an inch away from the seam that connects the fur sleeve to the fur body.



The space is crucial, it will allow you to finish your vest nicely at the end.



When you reach the top of the sleeve, cut out a triangle.



I love the way it looks already.



Then move on to the other sleeve.

Once both sleeves are cut off, you will need to do some sewing.



Roll the extra inch of fur you saved from cutting the sleeves into the inner lining. The goal is to sew that to the lining to seal everything in and finish the edge.





Now start sewing.



Only grab the inside lining and make sure you piece all the layers especially the hide.



When you reach the top, you will be thankful that you cut that triangle out.



I usually sew over a few stitches when you reach where you started.



Now you have a nicely finished arm opening.





Do the same thing to the other side and voila!



Now I can layer it with my leather jackets as well.



It's now updated into something I will for sure be wearing for a long time to come.



Happy 2013!