How to Design Custom Letterman Jackets

Letterman jackets are more than just a symbol of team spirit. They represent the accomplishments of an athlete. Over the years, the jacket becomes a record of athletic and academic success. If you want to represent your team's history or express how you feel about your sport, design your own custom letterman jackets.

Things You'll Need

  • Drawing pad
  • Pencils
  • Markers
  • Coloring pencils
  • Patches
  • Sewing machine
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw the front and back of a generic letterman jacket on your drawing pad. Photocopy the outlines onto several sheets of paper so that you can experiment with different designs. Take a look at some basic letterman jackets online to get a good idea for basic design types (see Resources).

    • 2

      Try various design approaches with your letterman jacket. Most letterman jackets have alternating solid colors for sleeves and body. Cuffs, collars and sometimes the base of the jacket have decorative elements such as bands of distinct colors. Buttons are almost always colored differently from the base color of the jacket. Collars come in upturned short styles, convertible styles or turned down knits.

    • 3

      Use only three colors at most, and if designing for a team or school, use the appropriate colors. Select patches for the number and letter on the jacket and any other patches indicating accomplishments or participation in a particular sport.

    • 4

      Select different materials for your letterman jacket. Traditionally, the sleeves are leather, but nylon and virgin wool are also used. Leather gives the jacket a classic look, while virgin wool provides maximum comfort and warmth.

    • 5

      Make your custom letterman jacket using any number of online sites (see Resources). Most sites allow you to choose all colors, materials, buttons and patches. If you would like to make the jacket yourself, you should purchase a jacket in appropriate colors and sew on patches and designs.