Note how the jacket bunches up at the back due to my short waist and sway back. |
Then I rip the leather waist seams all the way and separated the 2 halves. I put on the top half and I was actually liking the look of just the top half. However, I wanted to have a leather jacket that's warmer and more useful so I decided that I had to attach the bottom part with some alterations.
So I tried on the top and bottom to see how much I had to cut off at the waist raise the waist of the jacket. Eventually I cut off 3 cm of the bottom of the top half and 3cm of the top of the bottom half and sewed them together. I broke 2 leather needles sewing this seam because the manufacturers had used contact cement (or some serious glue) to hold down the seams and I had to sew through them all. I top-stitched the new waist seam to give it more support as well as helping the seam to lie flat. I hand-sewn all the seams inside the jacket because it was actually easier as I have no opening to sew through with the sewing machine. And this is how it looks after:
Note the big gap between the last and the 2nd last button because I had cut off the original at waist button hole. |
Note that the back doesn't bunch up anymore! Yay! |
The only thing I am not sure is the big gap between the last and 2nd last button. I'm not sure if I should add something there to balance it out. But if I put something there then perhaps it would draw attention to the gap. What do you think? Should I do something to hide the gap or should I just leave it alone?
This looks fantastic - what a job, though. I have to admit I didn't notice the missing button at all, until you drew my attention to it. It may be a case of leave well alone - especially with all the layers around there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah Liz! It was tough going for a while there but I'm glad I carried on. I'm just glad that I have a nice, soft and warm leather jacket to wear in the end.
DeleteWith the way the waist is sewn, I would say just leave it-it looks like it should be that way. You and I must be built the same way, as I have the same short waist and what is known as the "Olson shelf". I hate how I find clothes that don't fit in the front, but there is a ton of fabric at the back. I think it looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tami Lee! I have never heard of the 'Olson shelf' - how interesting! How is your thrifting going these days? ;-)
DeleteLOL, Olson is my great grandmother's last name-us curvy girls in the family inherited her 'shelf'. Yeah, my skinny sisters don't have it.
DeleteI have found some awesome items thifting lately. I need to get some photos taken, which I planned on doing today, but my daughter had a chance of overtime so I have my darling grand daughter today :)
Oh I see. The Olson shelf is a family heirloom, right? ;-) My heirloom is the tummy bulge, hahahahah! Looking forward to your awesome thrifted items!
DeleteNice job! You got a great refashion here - from practically unwearable to fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI didn't even notice the gap until you mentioned it, so I'd just go with it. If it's bothering you though, you could always attach a belt or something there. I wouldn't bother messing with adding a buttonhole though.
Thanks Heather! Love your tips in your leather jacket refashion - so informative! Perhaps I really should leave it alone since I can't replicate that professional looking bound buttonhole like the other ones on this jacket.
DeleteWOW! You did a great job with this!!! Congratulations!! I think it looks perfect in the front, no problems with the button spacing. With the seaming, it does not look like a gap to me. It looks that is part of the design. I really admire how you jumped in and accomplished this so well. It looks like a professional did it! Impressive! Good for you!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for your comment! I was willing to jump in because it was only a $9.99 piece of thrifted garment. If it were more expensive I would be more scared to cut into it. I will have to test wear it out one day (when it's not -30C) to see if the large gap at the waist will cause the jacket to open up too much. If so I guess I will have to wear a belt.
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