Club Obi Wan

well,
I know that back in 1999, wested was making their jackets with the pull straps stitched inside the flap. I feel that was an inprovment from the film pattern. Ive caught thoes straps on everything, and they keep getting torn off from chairs, and none of the local tailor shops want to fix it because its leather. Who'd thought? Well ive fixed it a few times using a curved needle, but it still bothers the heck out of me everytime they get torn off. Im even considering stitching it in with kevlar thread.
The straps dont have the box stitch and i was thinking about sending it back to wested to have this done. Is there any other less expensive way around things?
Kindest Regards
Adam

Why not add the box stitiching yourself if you've managed to put them back on yourself? Or even a local cobbler I'm sure could help you out to make it a little cheaper than what it would be to send it back across the pond.

Is it where the straps attach to the jacket that gets caught, or is it the excessive material from tightening the straps?
I suggest folding the extra material back into the buckle making an s/z shape respectively if it is the latter one, much like some people do to prevent slipping on their lamb jackets.

(No comments about slipping on jackets lying on the floor, Bink.)

Let us know Adam!

Regards,
Swindy

Swindy,
Its the end of the straps that are attached to the jacket that im having problems with. I uasualy get them stuck on chairs.
Adam

I don't think that Wested would do the X-stitch if you sent it back....When I wanted them to do it for one of my Westeds' once upon a time, they said that yes, they "could" do it but they would have to replace the entire back panel. They suggested that it would be cheaper just to buy a whole new jacket...

Best of luck on your decision and your course of action....
Sincerely,
Captain D

Hmm. I don't know about having to replace the whole back panel. My first Wested was a pre-mod circa '99. I removed the straps from under the panel and placed on the outside myself. I don't even know why they'd say they would have to do that. I'm totally lost there. Maybe it was one of those times they were getting fed up with us fans and our nit-picking and just didn't want to do it. I used regualr all-purpose thread and my standard home sewing machine. It normally doesn't do leather but had no problem punching right through lamb. And I never had a problem with them snagging on anything or ever pulling off. Never mind a tailor. All you'd need is a regular sewing machine off the shelf of any retail store, some tough thread and a bit of sewing knowledge which it seems you already have.

I agree, replacing the entire back panel, just to reinforce the stitching with the "X" configuration, seemed a little extreme when I was told that also. Whatever their reasons, I just said okay, they must know what they are doing and I left it at that ....

Kind Regards,
Captain D