Custom Leather Vest: How to Make a Leather Vest

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Are you ready to branch out from leather wallets, bags and other accessories? Why not try your hand at making a custom leather vest? This is a great beginner leather clothing project. It’s a basic shape with clean lines and simple construction. Plus, you’ll learn some valuable skills including how to sew a zipper, add pockets and more. Let’s get started with this easy beginner clothing project.

Materials List:

2-3 oz. Chrome Tanned Apparel Leather
DuraWax™ Light Waxed Canvas Cotton Duck 12 oz. Fabric
Nimbus™ Cotton Duck 12 oz. Fabric
Lenzip® #5 Black Separating Molded Tooth Zipper (Metal Single Pull Slider) #124427
#5 Black Metal Zipper Top Stop (Molded Tooth Chain) #124419
Schmetz #18 Leather Sewing Machine Needles 135x16 DI (10 pack) #100798
Double-Cap Rivets Black (100 pack) #126849

Tools List:

Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" #102400
Rotary Cutter 60mm #126361
Leather Weight 2 lbs. Stainless Steel #126412
Sailrite® Scratch Awl #123270
Sailrite® Folding Utility Knife With Belt Latch #126525
Sailrite® Leather Precision Knife #126456
Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" #101017
Aluminum Straight Edge 36" #122548
Wonder Clips Assorted Colors (50 pack) #121902
Sailrite® Hole Cutter 1/8" #125478
Zipper Stop Pliers #123164
Sailrite® HandyPress® #125401
HandyPress® Double-Cap Rivet Die Set #3997-90
Sailrite® Deluxe Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package (110V) #400600

how to make a leather vest

The first step is to take a vest that fits you well and use it as a pattern. With a pencil and poster board, trace the shape of your existing vest, as shown in the video, to determine your back panel and two front half panels. Make sure to add seam allowances to the back and front templates before cutting them out. If you want a pocket or two on your vest, create those templates following our video tutorial.

Once you have your template pieces, transfer the shapes to your working material. We recommend a 2-3 oz. chrome tanned leather for flexibility and comfort. A thicker chrome tan will feel stiffer and bulkier at the seams and might be less comfortable when worn.

We highly recommend making a practice vest using waxed canvas first. Waxed canvas is an economical material and is great for practicing and working out any mistakes or issues before you cut into your prized leather collection and potentially ruin a side of leather.

DIY leather vest — Here you can see (from left to right): The vest we used as a pattern, the practice vest made from DuraWax™ and our finished leather vest.

If you need chrome tanned leather for this vest project, you’re in the right place. Explore our Apparel Leather category. You’ll find gorgeous aniline and embossed leather, suede, and more. Choose from full hides, sides and panels to find the leather that fits your budget and project needs.

We’d love to hear what you think of this leather clothing project. Please leave your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below. Do you have ideas for more leather clothing projects? Leave your suggestions below and they might become future Sailrite Workbench videos. Thanks for watching and happy crafting!