Tag: DIY

DIY – Leia Hoth Vest

How To Make Princess Leia’s Hoth Vest Out Of Some Old Shirts

You will need:

  • 2 white t-shirts / Men’s undershirts
  • Sewing Machine (recommended)
  • White thread
  • Fiber Fill
  • Fabric scissors
  • Regular scissors
  • Cardboard scraps
  • Paint
  • Mod Podge
  • Glue gun

Making the Badge:badge

  1. From the cardboard, cut out the following shapes:
    • one 4″ x 2.5″ rectangle
    • four 0.5″ squares
    • one 1.5″ square
  2. Paint the large rectangle black. Paint the 1.5″ square gray/silver. Paint two of the 0.5″ squares light blue, one of them a light orange, and the last one a deep red. Let all pieces dry (NOTE: When I initially made this, I glued and then painted but I found it was difficult to paint so I recommend painting before gluing).
  3. Allowing for at least 0.25″ on each side, use the hot glue gun to glue the 0.5″ squares long the top (long side) of the 4″ x 2.5″ rectangle from left to right: blue, orange, blue, red.
  4. Next glue the 1.5″ square under the first two 0.5″ squares, allowing space between them.
  5. Using the hot glue gun, draw a line of glue vertically on the left side of the badge. Then add a line of glue horizontally from the right side of the 1.5″ square to the edge of the badge.
  6. On the 1.5″ square, use the hot glue gun to make two circles at the top and then two connected ovals at the bottom. Then make two circles out of hot glue to the right of the square.
  7. Paint all the hot glue details with gray/silver paint except for the two dots at the top of the square. These should be painted black.
  8. Once all the paint is dry, coat the entire badge with Mod Podge.

Ribbet1588555176.jpegMaking the Vest:

  1. Cut the sleeves off of both white shirts. Under the arms, cut a straight line down to the bottom, dividing the shirt in half (back and front).
  2. Cut down the center of the two front halves only and lay all four front panels in a pile.
  3. Using your measurements, draw the outline of your vest front on the top layer and cut out all four layers identically, allowing 0.25″-0.5″ for a seam.
  4. Pile the two back halves of the shirts on top of one another and pin them together.
  5. Sew around the outside of the back of the vest, leaving the bottom open. Turn the back inside out.
  6. Using the fabric from the sleeves that were cut off, cut two 4.5″ x 3″ rectangles.
  7. Cut an “X” into the center of one of the rectangles and fold the inside flaps back, leaving 0.5″ on each side. Sew the flaps down and sew a seam around the inside to hold the rectangle shape.
  8. Pin the two rectangles together with the flaps on the outside and sew around the outside of three of the sides.
  9. Turn the rectangles inside out so that the seams are all on the inside. Slide the previously made badge into the center so that the painted part shows through the opening.
  10. Sew this onto one of the front layers with the side up that will be the left side of the vest. Face this badge side down onto one of the other layers, lining up the edges, and pin.
  11. Pin two remaining layers together. Sew both front panels around the edge, leaving the bottom open, and turn inside out.
  12. You should now have three panels, two front and one back, with the bottoms open. Start stuffing each panel with fiber fill until it is even.
  13. Using your measurements, mark at chest level on all three panels and sew a seam across (NOTE: this should be about an inch under the badge on the left panel).
  14. Fold the bottoms in 0.5″ and pin each panel. Sew the bottom seam.
  15. Next, mark a grid on the bottom half (below the chest seam) to sew the quilted design into the vest. I used a 2.5″ grid but feel free to make it wider or smaller.
  16. Starting at an edge, sew diagonal lines back and forth by connecting the corners of the grid. Complete this on all three panels until the quilted pattern is complete.
  17. Sew a seam all the way around each panel.
  18. Pin the front two panels to the back panel, lining up the arm holes and making sure the badge is face down.
  19. Sew under each arm to the bottom of the vest (be sure to leave enough room for your arm, plus some in case you’re wearing something bulky under it).
  20. Sew the tops of the shoulders.
  21. Turn vest out so that the seams are inside. Try on the vest to make sure everything falls right and all the panels line up. Enjoy!

May the Force Be With You! ❤ Juli