Lengthen A Leather Jacket

[tk1971]

Been a while...

So, I got myself a fairly good deal on a nice jacket that just a tad short. I've managed to lengthen it by removing the stitching of the bottom of the lining. I then removed the stitching holding the folded leather of the jacket bottom. After unfolding, I got an extra 1.5" of length. I extended the liner to the corresponding length and just sewed the unfolded leather to the extended liner directly using the original holes at the bottom.

Any problems with this? It's better finished with a folded hem, but what else can I do?

Also, the original fold was held down with a single line of stitching, so now that the bottom is unfolded, there are two rows of holes above the lowest row of stitching that I re-used to attach the extended liner with. I'm thinking to use those two rows of stitching to secure the liner as well, as it would look more complete than just leaving the empty holes there.

(machines used: Singer 201 for liner, 29-4 for leather)

I'll post pics when I get home from work. Based on my description, any thoughts?

Thanks.

[tk1971]

Pics:

What would work best to straighten out the fold? Thanks.

Edited March 6, 2013 by tk1971

[tk1971]

OK. Figured it out. Just for the sake of contributing...

1) Bought a strip of 1.5" wide black 3 oz leather and sewed it onto the bottom of the jacket with the finished sides facing each other. Stitching at ~ 1/8" from the edge.

2) Rolled the strip back around the bottom edge of the jacket (exposing the finished side) and sewed it down on the back side of the jacket over the liner. I used the same holes to secure the liner to the jacket (see pics from 2nd post).

Creates a nicely finished look to my modified jacket. As for straightening out the folds, I figure I'm going to try a steam iron and some towels.

Edited March 20, 2013 by tk1971

[needles]

Hi tk1971

great job on that jacket...well done. looks like it was finished professionally.

not too sure about steam, but please let us know how you get on

al