What to sew from a leather jacket. What can be made from old leather clothes? jeans alteration ideas

Leather products are very practical and durable. They can be passed on from the older generation to the younger, the only problem is that leather tends to wear out and go out of fashion. If you want to breathe new life into something you or your parents love, you can alter a leather jacket, and do it yourself.

To do this, you will need a minimum of available tools, the most important thing is that you have a pattern for the desired product. If you have sufficient cutting and sewing skills, you can do it yourself; if you don’t have those, contact a studio.

Available means

In your work you cannot do without the following materials:

• the leather product itself - a jacket;
• rubber glue;
• needles and paws for working with genuine leather;
• a sewing machine capable of processing such material;
• roller knife or sharp scissors;
• non-woven fabric intended for leather;
• wooden hammer.

How to alter a leather jacket with your own hands

When getting started, follow this plan:

1. Make the pattern. Outline all the details of the leather product, modeling them according to your figure.
2. Now it's time to rip open the old jacket. Use a scalpel or razor to cut sutures. It’s good if you have to alter a leather raincoat into a jacket - then the pattern details will fit freely on the material and the seams will not be affected at all. Otherwise, if you do not have a raincoat, but smaller outerwear, you need to straighten them well, and if they are glued, then iron them through gauze, but only from the wrong side.
3. Lay out the pattern of the product on the leather and trace each individual detail. Do not forget to leave allowances for the seams, approximately 1–2 cm. At the bottom it is larger - 2.5–3 cm, and for the neckline and rollbacks 0.5–1 cm is enough. In the same way, cut the interlining, which will be used as linings;
4. How can you alter a jacket at home? Now it's time to cut out the leather pieces using sharp scissors or a roller cutter. Having strengthened them with non-woven fabric, finally pin them together with ordinary paper clips. There is no way to sweep away the skin, as holes from the needle will remain;
5. Now you need to equip the machine with a roller or Teflon foot, install a thick triangular needle and start stitching parts at home. It is better to set the stitching to 3 mm to prevent excessive perforation of the material.
6. The seams of the leather product must be tapped with a wooden hammer. Try to machine stitch carefully.
7. Now you can turn the product inside out and iron it with an iron. Using glue, connect the edges of the seam allowances, wait until it dries. Sew on a collar, stitch in sleeves, sew in a zipper with your own hands.
8. Fold and glue the bottom, leaving the top of the hem free. Sew the lining parts and connect it to the base. Hem the bottom and sleeves.

How to make a product look presentable again

You already know how you can alter a leather jacket, but how can you return the material to its former shine and beauty? If you have visible defects - abrasions, cuts and others, then the product can be painted with special paint.

Another way is to decorate the damaged area or restore it with liquid leather. The combination of leather with cashmere, suede, drape and other fabrics looks very stylish and modern.

This approach is appropriate if the old item is the same size as the one you plan to receive as a result. The presence of defects complicates the process.

Therefore, parts cut from a different material can not only solve the problem, but will also become a decoration of the new jacket, its highlight.

When a leather jacket gets boring or loses its appeal, it usually goes into the closet, because you don’t want to wear it anymore, and it’s a shame to throw it away. However, there is another solution - remodeling. You can use a jacket to make something radically new, bold and stylish. Here are some interesting ideas for you

Idea No. 1. Update style

To remake an old leather jacket, you can use: accessories, scraps of leather, fur or textiles, knitted parts. Here are some examples of how you can change a boring style:

• shorten it, lengthen it, or make a “two-weather” jacket - sew a zipper along the entire width of the product so that you can wear short or long options if desired
• fit and remove the belt or, conversely, sew in belt loops
• sew a hood instead of a collar or vice versa, and the hood can be sewn from fabric or fur
• you can combine several jackets from different materials and sew one - stylish, bright and unique
• make knitted sleeves. You will find instructions on how to do this.

Idea No. 2. Sew a vest

There are two ways to convert a leather jacket into a vest. The first is to modify the original product: cut the length, remove the sleeves, add/remove the hood and belt. The second way is to use an old jacket only as material and cut the vest from scratch. Altering a leather product into a vest follows the same pattern as altering a similar sheepskin coat. You will find step-by-step instructions on how to do this.

Idea No. 3. Sew a bag, clutch or backpack

Leather bags will never go out of style. Here are very simple instructions, following which you will get a stylish new item from a completely unstylish leather jacket:

1. Cut out a rectangle (or two squares) of the size you need from the leather. These will be the walls of your bag. Stitch them together on three sides or sew them by hand using a furrier's stitch. Turn it out
2. Purchase a piece of chrome chain from the hardware department that is long enough to make a comfortable handle.
3. Sew or place a chain using rivets on the sides. Your bag is ready. If you wish, you can decorate it with thorns, rhinestones or buttons.

Idea No. 4. Make a bracelet

This idea is for those who doubt that something more worthwhile can come out of an old jacket. A stylish leather bracelet with buttons is made like this:

1. sew a rectangular case from leather
2. turn it right out
3. stitch with any line pattern
4. decorate with belt loops, buttons or any other accessories.

Leather is an excellent material for creativity. If you have certain sewing skills, it is quite possible to sew gloves, belts, jewelry, hats, corsets and much more from an old leather jacket. And if it’s difficult for you to come up with and implement an idea for remaking an old leather jacket on your own, contact the masters of our studio.

Leather items are always relevant for any style of clothing. They favorably emphasize the individual taste of the owner and transform even the most modest outfit. But over time, your favorite clothes become unusable, and leather jackets are no exception. However, this is not a reason to be upset, because an old product can be given a new life. Let's try to figure out what can be made from an old leather jacket.

We alter it

Genuine leather is a fairly durable material, and the only thing it is not immune to, even with constant care, is abrasions. Therefore, if the jacket is just right for you and you want to continue using it, the item can be altered. You can change the size to make the jacket larger or smaller, or change the style to create a vest, jacket or even a onesie. You just need time, desire and a pattern of the desired model. And you need to start with preparation.

Fighting odors

Leather is a very noble and pleasant material, but it also has problems. Due to its porous structure, it absorbs dirt and odors well. If your jacket develops an unpleasant odor over time:

1. First, clean it of dirt, dry it, and then put the product in a bag with fresh citrus peels.
2. The product must be left in this form for 12 hours.
3. Afterwards, the smell will go away, leaving only a small citrus trace.

Preparing the tools

To make the remodeling work easy and quick, prepare in advance:

• well sharpened scissors;
• rubber glue;
• set of needles;
• triangular needle for leather;
• a special foot for a sewing machine;
• pattern material: paper, cardboard or tracing paper;
• iron;
• wooden hammer - mallet;
• fabric for lining;
• scalpel;
• sewing machine;
• chalk or soap for patterns;
• meter.

In the process of work, you may need other materials and tools, and most importantly, the object of alteration itself. Next, you can get down to the details of how to remake a leather jacket.

Rework

Redesigning your clothes is the best way to make them stylish and fashionable. Especially when the product is of fairly good quality, but its appearance is already outdated.

For the process to be successful, prepare a pattern, and if it is not required, begin to carefully unravel the seams of the jacket, cutting the threads with a scalpel. A certain procedure follows.

Steps:

1. The pattern pieces are outlined in such a way that there is about one and a half centimeters left for the seam.
2. They also make a pattern for the lining.
3. The pattern pieces are cut out using sharp scissors.
4. The cut out parts are carefully fastened together with pins or paper clips.
5. Afterwards, prepare the sewing machine for work. Install a special foot for leather and a durable triangular needle to it. Without a foot, the work will be much more difficult.
6. The machine stitch is set to three millimeters.
7. To make the seams look beautiful, after stitching they are tapped with a wooden hammer - this way they become smoother and thinner.
8. Next, you can move on to working on the reverse side.
9. After all the work is done, you need to iron the seams with an iron, but proceed carefully: use gauze and minimal heat, otherwise the high temperature may cause the leather to lose its shape.
10. The stitched edges can be treated with rubber glue to make the product more durable.
11. The last step is to sew in the sleeves, zipper and buttons.

Important! To ensure that the needle moves easily in the sewing machine and does not break, lubricate the leather at the stitching site with vegetable oil. This increases slip and makes the stitching perfect.

There is no need to pour oil over the entire surface of the product; apply a thin layer of it to the seam using a cotton swab or disk.

These steps will allow you to customize your leather jacket to the size or model you need.

Important! If the jacket is no longer new, but you can’t throw it away, you can turn it into a fashionable vest or parka jacket.

We decorate

If it is not possible to alter the product, the defects are very noticeable, you can try to bring life back with the help of clothing decor. There are a huge number of options on how to remake a leather jacket with your own hands, so we will consider only the most common ones.

Dye

If your clothes can still be restored to their previous appearance, do not rush to use them on small accessories. Perhaps it will be enough to paint the scuffs and creases with a special paint for leather:

1. The first step is to purchase a special paint for natural leather at a shoe or outerwear store.
2. Next, degrease the paint surface and let it dry for about three hours.
3. Afterwards, carefully apply the paint on one layer with a brush, wait for it to dry completely and paint with a second layer.
4. After this procedure, the jacket must be left to dry overnight. Only after the product has completely dried can you apply a special fixer to it - glossy or matte, depending on your jacket.

Aerosol paints are also available for sale. There is less work to do with them, since they just need to be sprayed onto the painting surface and wait for it to dry.

Important! This is a more convenient method, but you should be well prepared so as not to stain yourself and everything around the jacket. Work with aerosol only with gloves, and place a layer of newspapers under the product to be painted.

There is another very simple option for changing the color of natural leather. To do this, the product must be immersed in bleach for some time. This jacket can be combined with Boho style elements and a light summer dress.

Patches

If the paint does not cope with the defect, you can emboss or patch the jacket. If you choose the right materials, you can easily turn an old leather jacket into a fashionable designer item.

Materials that work well with genuine leather include:

• suede ;
• drape;
• knitwear;
• leatherette and other materials that can be selected depending on the color and texture of your product.

Decor elements

It’s easy to decorate the jacket using bright accessories. Take a colored zipper or buttons, sew on an applique or make seams from contrasting threads - get creative and you will definitely get a bright result! A jacket with a combination of different elements can look truly stylish.

Decor details:

• buttons;
• sequins;
• rivets;
• rhinestones;
• embroidery;
• drawing;
• stripes;
• beads;
• lace;
• stones;
• chains.

Important! Most of the accessories can be purchased at fabric stores. If we talk about stripes, you can always find ready-made options on sale, or you can make them yourself, for example, from a picture from old clothes.

Depending on the elements, you can easily create a product in different styles and easily update your wardrobe.

More ideas

If you are not afraid to experiment and fantasize, then you will definitely create new masterpieces from an old leather jacket. In addition, this process is so captivating that you will not only be pleased to wear a thing you have altered with your own hands, but you will also definitely want new experiments, and the question of what you can make from an old leather jacket with your own hands will disappear by itself. So, a few more ideas.

Sleeves

A very easy way to modernize outdated clothes is to cut off the sleeves or make them asymmetrical. To lengthen the sleeve of the product, use lace or use sleeves from old shirts.

Decorations from scraps

If you have scraps of leather left during the alteration, do not rush to throw them away. They can make a wonderful brooch, belt, bracelet, hairpin, earrings and other jewelry.

Cords

If the pieces are very small, you can make a leather cord and use it as decoration for the same jacket or other product. Even narrow strips can easily be turned into bookmarks.

Interior items

If the scraps are very worn, you can paint them and create an interesting piece of furniture. For example, paste over a photo frame or decorate a vase.

If you want something completely unusual, you can create leather flowers from small scraps. For this:

• Petals of the required shape are first cut out of the material;
• fry them a little in a frying pan if volume is needed;
• after that, they are fastened together using a glue gun.

Important! These flowers can be collected into bouquets, or made into an incredibly beautiful brooch. Or you can use them as decor for an altered jacket, hat, bag and other things.

Gloves

If the item cannot be restored, you can make gloves from an old leather jacket. There are a lot of options - from classic leather to short biker gloves with cut off fingers. Don't forget to use your imagination and decorate them to suit your style.

Storage

Genuine leather also makes wonderful bags, wallets and clutches:

• If we talk about the jacket, you can cut out a clutch from it right away along with the lining, this will significantly save your time. You can decorate the clutch in any way you like, for example, create a beautiful hand-stitched stitch with bright threads. Of course, this work requires great care, but the appearance of the finished product will definitely attract attention.
• A great option would be to repurpose scraps from your jacket into a case for your phone or glasses.
• Leather is a very durable material, so if the product is no longer suitable for wearing, you can use it to make a key holder for your home or garage.

Cloth

If the item is of fairly good quality, but the size is too small for you:

• You can turn it into clothes for a child: sundresses, jackets, skirts, jackets, pants.

Today, you can make anything from leather - from small brooches to voluminous outerwear and even slippers. The main thing is to show your imagination. And in combination with various fabrics, fur and accessories, you are sure to create a unique designer product. Creative success and imagination!

High-quality genuine leather is an expensive and durable material. If you have a spacious, unfashionable leather jacket in the house, it simply needs to be given a second life. Subject to desire and free time, of course.

Sewing lovers will enjoy this work. To perform the most complex knots, you can contact a professional tailor.

Complete makeover or simple change

The simplest alteration will be without changing the armhole and edging:

• Fitted side seams, length change.
• An interesting insert on the back, along with changing the length, will turn your favorite jacket into a designer item.

• You can cut off the collar, decorate the neckline and sides with finishing braid or shorten the sleeve. The jacket will change its look and style with the least amount of time and effort.

• Unworn areas of leather can serve as material for making a new item; as an addition, you can use material of a suitable or contrasting color and texture.

Complete recut, only a jacket of a larger size and volume is suitable for him. When re-cutting, the lines of the new cut are shifted inside the parts by no less than the width of the seam allowance. Traces from old stitching spoil the appearance and weaken the strength of the material.

Materials and tools

Before you start work, you need to prepare everything you need:

• To sew such a jacket, a sewing machine is suitable, which makes a high-quality straight stitch. It is desirable that the stitch width of the line be from 0.4 cm to 0.9 cm. A large finishing line looks good on leather. For internal seams, the stitch length is also larger than for fabric - 0.4-0.5 cm.
• It would be good if the machine had a Teflon foot for sewing leather. If there is no such foot, you can simplify the operation of the machine by lubricating the skin in front of the foot with machine oil. The method is suitable for dark-colored skin; some light skin will remain stained.
• Today on sale there are special machine needles for sewing leather marked LR. They differ in the shape of the tip, which allows them to cut through the skin with minimal damage.
• Any sharp tailor's scissors will be suitable for cutting, it is better that the blades are 11 or 12 inches long.
• Cutting details are applied from the front side using a marking rod on the skin. Outwardly, it looks like a ballpoint pen, the color of the line is silver. Unnecessary lines can be easily removed from the surface of the skin with machine oil.
• Leather glue will help secure the open seam allowance or zipper before stitching.

Reference! There are also hand needles for sale for sewing leather; the needle pierces it much easier than a regular one.

Rework process

• The jacket is ripped out at those seams that cannot be used in the new model. Pockets, the middle back seam, and the front seam of a two-seam sleeve can often be left unchanged.

Attention! The leather is ironed at low temperature without steam; you can use an ironing iron (a piece of cotton fabric).

• The pattern pieces are applied on the front side, so no defects will be missed. Textured irregularities can be placed in places where they will not be very noticeable. The pattern is outlined with a special rod, and special marks are applied in the right places, replacing notches on the fabric.

Attention! The pattern needs to be tested; it will be almost impossible to make further changes during sewing. Traces of old stitching can ruin the best work.

• We glue the prepared parts with non-woven material along the edge of the side, armhole, neck and bottom of the sleeves and bodice. The jacket stretches a lot when worn, duplicating will help avoid stretched hem and armholes.

Sewing order a leather item is not much different from any other item:

• We process the back and shelves separately and assemble them into a bodice.
• At the same time, we assemble the sleeves.
• We assemble the finished bodice and sleeves and cover them with lining.

When sewing seams on leather, there is no way to iron them out like on fabric, so we use prepared glue to secure the seam allowance. The allowance itself and the part along the seam are processed with glue, the allowances are laid out and pressed.

Important! After hardening, the glue should retain the plastic properties of the skin and not turn into a hard crust.

Before stitching, we tap complex knots where there are several seams with a regular hammer, or with a mallet if the leather is delicate and easily damaged.

How to freshen up the appearance of a jacket

Over time, a leather jacket wears out and abrasions appear on the top layer. Fortunately, these changes are easy to fix:

• First, the jacket must be cleaned by wiping with a damp cotton cloth.
• You can soften the natural material of the upper with a colorless cream; already at this stage the jacket will take on a renewed look.
• Choose a suitable shade of paint and paint your favorite jacket at home. There are paints for sale for different types of leather and suede.

Attention! Before use, it would be good to test the paint on an area hidden from view, for example, on the inside of a pocket.

Conclusion

Leather is a very rewarding material; it wears well. Leather items look good; one or another model is always at the peak of fashion. A stylish leather jacket model can be the basis of more than one successful autumn-spring wardrobe capsule.

Unlike artificial leather, genuine leather is very pleasant to wear. It is not hot on a warm autumn day and warm on a cool day. It will protect you in rainy weather and add a stylish touch to your look on a sunny day.

An excellent question, because not everyone would risk getting rid of a good quality leather item. And why? Customization is becoming more and more in demand and popular every year. And I perfectly understand those people who, for various reasons, cannot part with their old, but very beloved things.

Leather items are a completely separate issue. In my opinion, a quality leather item will last longer than we could ever imagine. To do this, it is enough to simply redo this thing slightly, breathing into it a new, fresh note, so to speak.

For example, from a very large leather jacket you can sew a women's jacket of a smaller size, or a vest of any length, or a children's jacket, or even a small jumpsuit. To do this, just take any pattern you like. We carefully rip off the sleeves, work on the shelves, remove the lining, and then you can apply the pattern to the material. By the way, if a thing has a not very pleasant aroma (over time this can happen with leather products), then first you should remove the contaminated areas, dry it, and then put it in a tight bag and place fresh tangerine / orange / lemon peels there (but not the zest ). Keep the bag closed for one night. I assure you, the skin will acquire a unique smell.

You can also make quite a lot of gloves from leather items. The most varied styles - long, short, without fingers. You can decorate them to your taste. We will receive ultra-fashionable and stylish accessories, also original ones, that will serve you for several more years. For example, you can use this pattern:

Transfer it to the skin, do not forget to add a little to the allowances and cut it out. Lay the lines on a machine - it’s difficult and not so beautiful by hand.

Leather belts and bracelets would be great. Amazingly beautiful flowers can also be made from leather. To do this, you will need to prepare any leather item by ripping and removing the lining.

Next, from cardboard, for example, we make a pattern of petals (if we are making a rose, chamomile, sunflower, etc.), the middle, then we transfer it to the material, cut it out and assemble all the parts using hot glue. Such flowers can be used to create brooches and bracelets. And they are also suitable as decorations for bags, berets, and hats.

I like to use leather jackets or trousers and even leather boot tops to make bags and clutches.

In fact, there is nothing easier than sewing a clutch from unwanted old leather items. To do this, you need to select the optimal pattern, transfer it to the fabric, cut it, and sew it. By the way, if, for example, you are using an old raincoat or jacket, then you can not rip off the lining fabric, which will reduce time and make the work easier.

The seams on the clutch can be done by hand. Use some decorative stitch that you are good at to make it beautiful. The decor is at your discretion.

I think you've seen leather slippers on sale. So what’s stopping you and me from making such slippers from old leather things)?

It's simple. We need to print the pattern. There are a lot of them on the Internet, and you can easily choose the size you need by simply enlarging the picture. Next, use a piece of chalk or a piece of dry soap and trace the pattern onto the skin. Next we carry out the usual work.

Well, and, of course, you can make wallets of different sizes and designs, purses, and cases for smartphones/phones from leather items. And this product is even suitable for a gift if everything is done carefully.