How to Tailor Men's Jackets
Hiring a professional tailor for simple tucks can be a very pricey endeavor, and it can take weeks to get your jacket back. If you are handy with sewing supplies and have either a sewing machine or a lot of time to hand stitch, you can do it at home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Men's jacket
- Sharp scissors
- Thread (same color as the jacket and lining)
- Seam ripper
- Safety pins
- Sewing needle OR a sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Put the jacket on your man while he is wearing a long-sleeved shirt, and have him button up the jacket.
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2
At the center of his back, start to take up with excess fabric in a pinching motion, securing the flap with the safety pins. This will mark the size.
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3
Remove the jacket and trim the flap back to about half an inch of fabric, or whatever margin you are comfortable stitching closed.
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4
If the jacket lining is closed on the bottom, open it up with the seam ripper just enough to invert the slit side of the jacket. Remove all but the top and bottom pins, and make a mark on the inside of the jacket and the side of the liner that faces the jacket.
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5
Stitch the jacket closed with your half-inch margin (or if you did a custom margin, use that) as a guide. Invert the liner and stitch that slit closed. The two seams should face each other and be tucked neatly away when the jacket is held up.
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6
Restitch the bottom of the liner.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Depending on the margins the manufacturers used, it may not be possible to expand a jacket. Taking in or letting out the shoulders requires the lining and sleeves to be completely removed, and this is best left to a professional.
When handling scissors and the sewing machine, take care not to stab yourself or run your fingers over with the sewing machine.
Follow the manufacturer's directions while using a sewing machine.
