James needed a coat for winter because it’s quite a bit colder this year and his other jackets aren’t cutting it.

(*James edit* he does have a jacket that is really warm, a military jacket with some patina, but Violet say it makes him look destitute.)

(*Violet edit* That’s not what I said at all! I said that it probably wasn’t appropriate to wear a 40yr old military jacket that your Russian teacher wore in an actual war and I’ve had to repair so many times because it’s falling apart to dinner!)

(*James edit* Nuhuh! It’s a perfectly fine jacket. The holes give it more character! Military jacket for the win!)

(*Violet edit* You’re a stupid military jacket)

(*James edit* Your face is a military jacket)

(*Violet edit* I’ll military jacket you. Sigh -_-‘)

Anyway he didn’t want to buy one so last time we were in Brisbane his Dad gave us one of his old wool/cashmere jackets from Russia. It didn’t fit him but was super warm so he asked me to rework it to make it fit him.

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

 

Before and after.James' Wool Jacket Make OverJames' Wool Jacket Make Over

Nowhere near perfect but it’s definitely an improvement!

First thing I did was pin it up to the length he wanted it.

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

I pinned the whole bottom edge…

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

Cut it along the fold…

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

Bam, shorter jacket.

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

I put it back on him and pinned up the back so it was fitted. It was double breasted but that didn’t look so good so we decided to change it to single. I pinned it shut where I was planning to move the buttons.

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

To give it shape and definition and decided to take in the 3 back seams…

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

After I took it off of him I fixed the pinned seams to make them straight. Most people do this step with the item of clothing inside out so the can sew straight from there but I don’t like sewing with pins in and I find it easier to see the finished product when it’s right way out.

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

So I snipped the extra fabric from the seams…

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

I cut straight up the back seam and two darts up the sides and into the sleeves. Next I overlocked the back seam and tacked the sides in place so he could try it on before I sewed properly.

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

The darts and bottom needed a bit more fitting before the final sewing. Definitely an improvement though!

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

Re-cutting and re-pinning the darts!

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

Stitch stitch stitch…

James' Wool Jacket Make OverJames' Wool Jacket Make OverJames' Wool Jacket Make OverJames' Wool Jacket Make Over

Snipped off all of the buttons and restitched them in place. We decided rather than to redesign the front he liked it with off centre buttons. I added a snap closure at the top button to avoid having to make another button hole XD I think looking at the photos I will probably move the bottom button to the right side and make it decoration too because he never bothers to close it.

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

I still want to make a lot of adjustments to make it better but as a quick fit I think this went down pretty well. At least he won’t be cold anymore and he likes it so that’s the important part!

James' Wool Jacket Make OverJames' Wool Jacket Make Over

What time is it? Sexy time! Oh that’s right XD

 

James' Wool Jacket Make Over

Finally crossed something off my to-craft list, yay!

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