DIY Network

Jumble Jackets Turn business jackets into creative clothes. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-128

Suit jackets get cut down and trimmed up for a hobo chic look.

Business jackets come out to play in this fun Michele Beschen project: She takes boring, basic business suit jackets and gives them a hobo chic makeover to create something new.

Sleeves get chopped down, socks get sewn on and the garments go from drab to fab. It's a great way to B. Original and recycle jackets that have gone out of style, worn out around the cuffs or otherwise lost their edge.

Just about everybody has the raw materials for this project in the back of the closet or in the give-away pile. If you don't, hit the thrift stores for a suit jacket with potential.

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Figure A

Jumble Jacket Makeover

• Lay an old suit coat out on a flat surface and cut the sleeves to 3/4 length or shorter. Measure carefully and make sure to cut both sleeves to the same length.

• To shorten the jacket, measure up from the bottom and pin all the way around to get a straight cut (figure A). Try on the jacket and see where you'd like the bottom edge to end up before you start measuring.

• Trim out the shortened sleeves with tube socks: Cut the socks off at the heel, leaving a straight tube of knitted fabric (figure B). Turn the jacket sleeve and the sock inside out, slide the sock over the sleeve, and stitch the sock to the sleeve about 1/2 " up from the edge of the sleeve (figure C).
  

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  

• To finish the raw bottom edge of the jacket, use a blanket stitch all the way around (figure D).

Figure D

You'll want to remake all your jackets with this fun new look!