You can’t throw it away, you can’t remake it: new life for an old down jacket

While conducting another “inspection” of my wardrobe, I came across an old down jacket. Against the background of inconspicuous T-shirts, “steamed” socks and other small-sized clothes, a voluminous down jacket looks like a real “thorn”. The question arises: get rid of it or let it hang there, in case it comes in handy?

For those who are not used to being on ceremony with old things, the easiest way is to take them to the “trash” or give them to those in need. However, for those who do not give in to difficulties and are friends with sewing accessories, there are other options.

Upgrading an old down jacket

It happens that an item is still of good quality and has a presentable appearance, but is simply tired or out of fashion. One option is to modernize it without changing its functions, namely:

• reshape it a little by changing the style or length;
• add inserts of contrasting material;
• replace the hood with the original collar;
• decorate the surface.

New clothes

If the original purpose of a down jacket as outerwear is not relevant, it makes sense to experiment.Imagination and skillful hands will help you transform it into other wardrobe items.

Vest

It’s not difficult to make; even a novice craftswoman can handle it. To do this you need:

1. Carefully tear off the sleeves at the seams.
2. If necessary, cut the bottom to the required length, separate the hood and pockets (they can also be used, but more on that later).
3. Cover the raw parts with trim, trim or tie.
4. “Hide” existing abrasions under applique or other decorative elements.

By the way! It is better to crochet a newly made vest. In order to have something to “catch” the loops to, it is better to first sheathe the edges. To do this, it is advisable to use the same threads as for tying, threaded into a darning needle.

Skirt

It will turn out warm and practical, and if you try, it will be beautiful. It can be made long or short, straight or flared, with a zipper or buttons. It all depends on the length and width of the source material, as well as on the imagination of the needlewoman.

Warm trousers for children

They are perfect for winter walks; they are comfortable to ride downhill in, even without sleds or tubing.
Need to:

• rip the down jacket at the seams;
• attach the finished pattern to the canvas (you can use other children's trousers);
• trace the pattern;
• cut and stitch parts;
• sew on an elastic band and finish the bottom of the legs.

Important! It is better to cut trousers one or two sizes larger so that they do not restrict movement.

Stylish windbreaker

Most often, the top of a down jacket is made of water-repellent and airtight material. By removing the filler and shortening the product, you can get an autumn windbreaker. It will be light, but will perfectly protect from rain and wind.

It is worth considering that after removing the fluff, the product will increase in size, so it will have to be adjusted to fit the figure: sewn in on the sides, trimmed or rolled up the sleeves.

Other useful things from an old down jacket

In addition to clothes, you can make a lot of practical things from it that will be useful in everyday life.

Pillow

For its manufacture, the filler left over from converting a down jacket into a windbreaker will be useful. It is placed in a bedspread made from a small piece of durable fabric. Linen, calico, denim, velvet are suitable - the choice of material depends on the function of the product (applied, decorative).

Cushion under the head

It is usually used when traveling. It “hugs” the neck, thereby providing complete rest and even sleep in a sitting position. To make it, you can use, for example, sleeves from a down jacket:

• insert one sleeve into the other;
• place a medium-hard wire in the middle so that the roller can be bent;
• if the volume is not enough, fill it a little tighter with what you have at hand (cloth scraps, filler, etc.);
• carefully sew and trim the ends.

You can make a cover for the roller from a breathable material that can be easily washed when it gets dirty.

Accessories and household items

In addition to interesting wardrobe items, needlewomen came up with ways to update their collection of bags or make useful things for the family.

Bag

It will be durable and you won’t be afraid to get caught in the rain. For a simple model you need to cut out:

• rectangular canvas with cutouts;
• narrow stripes for handles.

Then sequentially:

• sew the sides of the bag together (marked in the same color: 1 – blue, 2 – green);
• stitch the bottom and sides - each side (red lines);
• make and sew handles to the resulting base.

If necessary, you can add a clasp, pockets, and decor.

Play or educational mat for a child

Is your little explorer already crawling and loving to play on the floor? In this case, this thing will definitely not be superfluous. The area of ​​the mat should be sufficient so as not to limit the baby's mobility. In addition to a down jacket, which will prevent it from freezing, you can use other fabrics and materials. The decor - appliqués, bright inserts and other decorations - will attract attention and activate the child’s cognitive activity.

Pet bedding

It can become a favorite cozy sleeping place for a four-legged family member - a cat or a dog, and its size will completely depend on the size of the pet.

Cover for stool

Even chairs with soft seats deteriorate over the years, as the foam inside loses its elasticity and “crumbles.” An old down jacket is an excellent raw material for making a soft cover. A square piece, the side of which is several centimeters larger than the side of the seat, is folded and stitched around the perimeter. A regular underwear elastic is inserted inside. A similar “softener” can also be sewn onto a country bench. It will prevent you from freezing in cool weather while having breakfast or dinner outdoors.

You can come up with many uses for an old down jacket if you have imagination and a predisposition to creativity. A good housewife, who manages any task, knows exactly where to put the comma in the expression “throwing away cannot be remade.”