Gentlemen, show us what you've made!

[Nick D]

A closeup of my double-stitching. I do a simple loose stitch first, then I got back over it again, looping over the top to give it tightness and strength. You can see the diagonal loops in the photograph.

This is a running stitch and a whip stitch. The correct stitch is a back stitch, which resembles machine-stitching on one side. It's a sort of double running stitch. By whipping over the raw edges you've made it impossible to press the seam open for a clean finish, and all pressing should be done as work progresses, not once everything is done.

Here's a backstitch:

[Shangas]

Hi Nick, I tried my best. I'm no tailor (that's evident), I'm doing this mostly because the front of the waistcoat is too nice to just waste. But my parents say it's not worth the while to get a new backing professionally made for it by a proper tailor; it's be too expensive or something. So I'm going the cheap way and making a homemade one myself. If it's even half-decent, I'll be satisfied with a job well-done.

[Shangas]

Despite a lack of skills and experience, I have finished the backing!

Now, to attach the two front halves of the waistcoat to it. I'm doing this one half at a time, to make things easier. Starting with the sides, then the shoulders, last.

Left underarm seam is complete!

[Hepville]

Here is something I didnīt made so far but itīs on the scedule:


Obvious influences I guess... but there arenīt that many options for a classic denim jacket.

[Qirrel]

Progress Report

A closeup of my double-stitching. I do a simple loose stitch first, then I got back over it again, looping over the top to give it tightness and strength. You can see the diagonal loops in the photograph.


[/I]

That method of sewing, i.e. whip stitching the fabric pieces together (albeit with more closely spaced stitches) was actually a common way of sewing in earlier times. From the outside it looks like a regular seam, and it has the added benefit of finishing the raw edges on the inside.

[Qirrel]

Got some time to work on the green jacket today. As I may have mentioned, I had to cut up the trousers to get fabric for the sleeves. A shame, as I quite like they way they turned out:





Anyway: Marking and adjusting the sleeve.


Basting:


Attaching the lining to the sleeves. The stitches are put in with basting cotton but are permanent, to keep the sleeve lining from twisting etc.


Here is the sleeve with the lining turned to cover it:


The cuff, with a piece of canvas sewn in to make it firm and crisp. I did not have enough fabric to make functional cuffs, so I will go for applied buttons and "sham" buttonholes instead."


Finally the lining is turned in and felled:

[Shangas]

Thanks for the feedback on the stitching, Qirrel. It's a technique that I remember my grandmother using when I was a child.

[herringbonekid]

this is the action-back jacket mentioned in the 1923 fabric swatches thread, made from Isle of Mull silver twill / Russian twill tweed (woven on a 1958 Dobcross Loom).
i made it over two years ago.





















my jackets always have that 'crink' in the sleeve when viewed from the back because i cut the under-sleeve higher than standard to give greater ease of movement.
it looks less clean on a dummy when you do that, but looks fine when on.

the high gorge peaked lapel was inspired by this 1922 suit of Harold Lloyd's:

[Rudie]

Awesome job.

Are you a tailor or is this a hobby of yours?

[herringbonekid]

Awesome job. Are you a tailor or is this a hobby of yours?

thanks.

no, definitely not a tailor as i only make stuff for myself; if someone of a different size and shape asked me to make something it would be quite a struggle.
my girlfriend is a professional tailor and has helped me a lot but i do everything on my own garments... apart from the buttonholes which she does.
i still haven't mastered the hand done buttonhole.