How to Make a Sweater Into a Jacket

Fold the sweater in half so that the fold goes down the center middle of the chest. Line up the shoulders and side seams to make sure the fold is straight, then cut along the fold, going through only the front layer of the sweater.

Fold the edges of the sweater under toward the wrong side where you made the cut; fold the edges in by one-quarter inch and pin them down. Sew a straight seam along each fold to secure the edges of the sweater.

Open up the zipper you will use for the sweater and separate the two halves. Place the first half of the zipper along the front edge of the sweater corresponding to that side of the zipper, with the right or front side of the zipper facing the right or front side of the sweater. Pin it in place with straight pins, lining up the fabric edge of the zipper with the inner edge of the sweater.

Install the zipper foot on your sewing machine and use it to stitch a straight seam along the zipper, going through the zipper fabric and the sweater. Position your seam one-quarter inch in from the edge.

Fold the zipper and sweater fabric in toward the inside so that the zipper teeth are now in the opening of the sweater where they should be. Pin in place and sew a straight stitch along the top of the fabric to secure the zipper in its position.

Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 to attach the other half of the zipper to the other side of the sweater.