DIY Life

Lumberjack luxe is all the rage in the fashion world these days, and although I haven't yet skipped on board, I do see the appeal. After all, who wouldn't want to be swathed in flannel all winter long? Luckily, CraftyStylish has a new way to make a formerly plaid and pathetic frock work for you -- by turning it into a chic little vest number!

Ready for the 11-step tutorial?

1. Take off the pockets.
With a seam ripper, carefully remove the pockets and pocket flaps. If the shirt has manufacturer registration markings from under the pocket, remove them.
2. Remove the arms.
Use scissors to cut off the sleeves, leaving the seam behind. The seam will prevent the vest from fraying too much after washing.
3. Cut off the top.
Remove the top of the shirt, just below the back yoke. Use the lines in the plaid to help you cut a straight line across the back and front.
4. Measure and mark the tucks with chalk.
For each side of the shirt, determine how many tucks will take in the correct amount of fabric. A 1⁄4-inch tuck takes in 1⁄2 inch of fabric.
5. Sew the tucks.
For each tuck, fold the fabric along the chalk line so the wrong sides are together. Sew 1⁄4 inch away from the fold to make the tuck. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each tuck.
6. Sew the shoulder seams.
Turn the vest inside-out, and pin the shoulder seams (right sides together). Then try it on, and reposition the pins to adjust the fit. The length of your shoulder seam determines the size of the collar. With right sides together, sew a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance; make sure that all of the pin tucks point toward the center of the vest.
7. Finish the neck.
Sew a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance around the edge of the neckline. This will prevent it from fraying too much after washing.
8. Secure the collar.
Remove two buttons from the leftover sleeves or the top of the shirt. Fold the collars down at the neckline to determine where to place the buttons that will secure them. Hand-sew the buttons.
9. Cut out the pockets.
From each sleeve piece, cut out one 6 1⁄2-inch by 6-inch rectangle on the bias.
10. Fold the pocket edges.
Turn down the top edge of each pocket 1 inch, and press. Turn under the sides and bottom edge of the pocket 1⁄2 inch, and press.
11. Sew the pockets in place.
Pin the pockets on the vest front, making sure that the edges of the pockets are aligned with the plaid on the vest. Sew 1⁄4 inch from the edges along the sides and bottom of each pocket.

DONE! Now that's what I call lumberjack chic!