Is this something a standard seamstress could do or an etsy shop?

May 16, 2019 7:44 AM

I need to find a service that will take an existing garment (in this case a simple light suede jacket) and recreate it. I don't have a pattern for the garment so I assume I would need to send the garment in to the service and let them cut it apart to use it as a pattern? Can anyone recommend a service or etsy merchant or mail order seamstress who could do this? Pics of the garment inside with a kitty tax pic thrown in as bonus of our cat, Mandu. :)

Difficulty: This is my husband's beloved suede jacket that he has worn forever. I am replacing it for his birthday (June 28th) so it's a short turnaround. You can see in the pics (the giant tear!) why it really needs to be replaced. The company that made the jacket no longer makes the jacket and I can't find anything the same color and style in his sizing online (big and tall).


Front of Jacket


Back of Jacket


Mandu

Mandu again

posted by TestamentToGrace to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (5 answers total)

A good seamster will not have to take it apart to recreate the pattern.
posted by Melismata at 7:54 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]

As it's not a fitted jacket (that would need tailoring to him on the model), this would be something a good seamstress/tailor/sewing expert could probably replicate fairly easily, given the jacket's design. For a good fit, you might be asked for basic measurements that you could do yourself or go to a tailoring/alterations shop and get for your husband to make sure it's not just as good a jacket as what he has now, but that it fits him as well as possible.
posted by xingcat at 8:12 AM on May 16, 2019

I've done this by approaching the costuming departments of larger local universities or theatre companies with a fair amount of success. If you have a tailor shop nearby with a good reputation, they might have someone who can do it as well. They may or may not need to take the jacket apart to recreate it--from the pics, I'd agree with other commenters that they won't need to for this jacket. What will matter most is sourcing the fabric (both the suede and the lining) to make sure you have the same drape.

(I know one Etsy seller with a good reputation (I've never used her service) who will pattern from an existing garment or photo for you, but I don't know one who sews from an existing garment)
posted by crush at 9:06 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]

Sewing with suede is different. It has a nap, the weight matters (so they'd need to actually see the old jacket), it's sold by the hide/piece and not by the yard and if they haven't sewn leather before, they will probably ask you to supply the hide/s so that any imperfections are your responsibility. A full hide can be very expensive. Hopefully they could advise you on the weight needed and the square footage and a suggestion for sourcing it. Dye lots vary so you have to order enough to finish the garment and like I said, it has a nap if you are piecing smaller pieces together. It's complicated and you have about a month. I wonder if repairing the tear is an option for now and the full on remake can come later.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 11:58 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]

It's a barn coat, so I don't think it would need to be deconstructed.

Hey, would this same brand, same-style new-on-eBay coat work? Check the measurements - your husband's coat is XXL, but is years old; this one is XL but I'm hoping size inflation might work in your favor.
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:06 PM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]