New lining for a leather Jacket???

Does anyone know of a good place to have a leather jacket re-lined. I have an Avirex G-8 (type 440) jacket that I bought from US Wings in 2001. The exterior (goat) of the jacket has held up well (still looks new), however the lining on the inside is falling apart. Appreciate any input.

---Scott

Check with US Wings. I believe that they still do repair work. If not then try US Authentic (www.flightjacket.com). Good luck.

Ray

I've done this several times with a local tailor and they did a great job. Just find a good tailor, one that actually makes clothing, and it shouldn't be a problem. My tailor actually found some cool satin to line an old motorcycle jacket I had. I just left it up to her and she nailed it. She also did some zipper replacements.

Lost Worlds Inc. does repair work. I had wool cuffs and wasteband replaced on an old jacket and they did a great job. Wasn't cheap. Not at all.

They make a version of the G-8 which they call the Raider and it has a burgundy rayon lining, which has to be an amazing lining. If you want something fancy like that, you might send him an e-mail and see what it will cost.

In "Art of the Flight Jacket" one of the featured A2s had a theater-made relining that was very interesting--someone had taken a standard officer's shirt and sewn it into the jacket. They'd also put the shirt into the jacket inside-out, which not only kept the finished seams visible, it also meant the shirt's chest pockets were still functional as inside pockets.

This would not be an authentic way to do it, but it would definitely be a functional solution, and a whole lot cheaper. It's something I've thought of for one of my rayon-lined jackets once the lining starts to go.

It's also not uncommon to do a partial reline, just the shoulder and upper back area, everything above the armpits, which seem to bear the brunt of the wear.

FYI--on relined in-theater jackets I've seen it's commonplace to remove the hanger loop, then restitch it over the old lining. I don't think G8s have these, but it's worth a mention.