What a huge difference! Glad you took the plunge on this modification. It's amazing to see what an improvement this makes in not just the appearance but the fit as well.

Cheers Croft!

And just want to second Michaelson - who I totally agree with. Yes, the film jacket had blown out pleats, but achieving screen accuracy down to these sorts of details (or flaws) isn't everyone's primary ambition.

Croft! Happy to hear the jacket is back and you're happy with the alteration. Always such a relief when your tailor pulls off a job on such a prized possession. Please share pics when you have the time.

Man, that's all wonderful news! Nothing better than having a tailor you can truly trust. And that is fantastic news that she is willing to document the process so people here can get a better understanding of how this is done. Definitely something I wish I would have had the foresight to ask mine to...

Another word of advice... My tailor was very experienced with this sort of modification and cut the elastic panel about a 1/2" smaller than the distance between the action pleats when they're completely closed. This basically gave the elastic a constant, small amount of tension to help account ...

Hey Croft! Beautiful looking couple of jackets you have there! But yeah - those action pleats are looking pretty blown out. I definitely think your jackets would benefit from the elastic that I had installed in mine. To answer your question... No, you don't really feel the elastic. Because the elast...

Oh, and my tailor charged $60 for this work. Not exactly cheap, but definitely worth the money to make sure the job is done right. I suggest finding an experienced tailor who works on leather.

Hi Indiana Croft, Sorry, it's challenging to articulate this process with only words. I'm not quite sure I'm following your question. The elastic is only stitched in two locations - the interior of the action pleat on the left, and the interior of the action pleat on the right. When I say interior, ...

Another quick question, when you put this elastic inside the jacket liner. Do you feel it while wearing the jacket. :-k Croft :mrgreen: Not at all! That's the great thing about this super wide elastic I found. It essentially creates a full back panel so you're much less aware of the edges. My Magno...

that's good work! So, you opened the lining to sew the elastic inside? I don't picture how you achieved that :-k Yes exactly. The elastic is inside of the jacket - between the lining and the leather. It's hard to articulate without being able to reopen up my jacket and show you, but the elastic pan...

xmasters wrote:A jacket I own that has so far maintained it's pleats after two years. My Bill Kelso Grail jacket.

You're so lucky to own one of these beauties! I want one so bad.

Hi Indiana Croft, Really wish I could have photo documented my tailors process, but I'll do my best to articulate what was done. So yes - you do have to open a seam at the side of the liner in order to access the interior and be able to stitch the elastic to leather. The elastic was installed just b...

Kokopelli, not sure if you ever found a solution to remedy this issue - but I recently installed an elastic like Illinois_Jones suggested and it really is the perfect fix to correct this common problem. I recently made a post about it here: http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=71506" onc...

Thanks for the feedback Michaelson! You've quite the keen eye - I definitely did not notice the new stress point I had created at the box stitching. Great catch. I originally cinched the straps a little tighter to help further contribute to that tapered/heroic silhouette - especially when the jacket...

Let me get one thing straight - I love my Wested HERO jacket. The fit, the leather grain, the craftsmanship - all top notch. But after wearing my jacket for a couple months, it started to develop the dreaded billowing of the action pleats. Now I understand that the original film jacket didn't featur...