Has anyone tried making their own jacket?

PropReplicator · Post by **PropReplicator** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 1:04 pm

I'm just wondering if anyone's given this a shot. We've got a great leather shop here in town (Abilene, heart of cattle country here in Texas) and I've often thought about following my Wested as a pattern and seeing what happens.

Gater · Post by **Gater** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 1:19 pm

Well, PR, IMHO, it would cost WAY more to have a jacket custom made at a local shop, then it would to custom order one from the man who made THE Indy jacket. Alden does not have a Canadian distributor, so I went to a local cobbler, who said it would be $900.00 to make a similar look-a-like....or I could drop $500 and just order the 405's. A lot of us would probably pay a lot more than Peter charges for his jackets, but fortunately, we don't have to. Maybe if they were more, what he gained per unit wouldn't come close to what he makes in volume. That's just great business sense. I imagine that a local could make a knock-off, but you'd be paying for just that. An over-priced, tailored knock-off.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 1:26 pm

I did look into it WAY before discovering the internet, and like Gater, contacted a local leather craftsman to look into the possiblity. He looked through all my supplied photos from Raiders, and announced the design was so complicated, he'd have a difficult time making one that filled the bill. He wouldn't even quote a price. Glad I found Peter not to long after that, or I'd STILL be wearing an A-2. (grins) Regards. Michaelson

PropReplicator · Post by **PropReplicator** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 2:09 pm

No, maybe I didn't make myself clear: I'm not trying to get off cheaper than buying from Peter.

I'm a PropReplicator by Name and by Hobby. Part of the joy of my prop collection comes from making things myself.

What I mean is, I would purchase the leather and make it myself just for the fun of doing it. Much in the same way many people are trying to make their own whips. We know that it could never be a Morgan, or a Strain, or a Stenhouse, but it's the joy of making it yourself. That's what I'm after.

I'm going to give it a shot with cheaper material first as a prototype. Then, if I still have the guts, purchase a side of leather and have at it.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 2:33 pm

Welllll, my answer still holds water then. When a professional leather craftsman passes on the project due to the complexity of the pattern, you know you're going to have your hands full if you try it yourself. Good luck! Regards. Michaelson

PropReplicator · Post by **PropReplicator** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 2:37 pm

Thanks. I know (believe me) that I'm in for a rough ride. But I love tackling new prop challenges. The joy is in the journey, not the destination.

Kentucky Blues · Post by **Kentucky Blues** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 9:24 pm

You must remember, though, Michealson, that you were trying to get one done by pictures, while Propreplicator here is gonna use an actual jacket for a pattern. So, it'll still be difficult, but he'll have a better idea of what he needs. Also, to go really cheap, and maybe more comfortable, try doing something other than leather. Maybe some cotton blend or nylon. Or go with leather. i don't know, I'm not a . . . um. . . jacketist.

junior · Post by **junior** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 10:06 pm

Makes you appreciate what Flightsuits has done for us huh?

junior

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 10:43 pm

I had one tailor quote me A LOT of money to reproduce the leather jacket. That's when I decided Wested is, for my money, the best deal in town.

Pyro.

PropReplicator · Post by **PropReplicator** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 10:49 pm

Oh, I'm definitely doing a cloth jacket, first. Maybe something like the US Wings jacket, but in something other than a khaki color.