Leather Biker Jacket Recon

[damn your eyes]

I found this leather jacket at Value Villiage for $19.99.

It fit great in the shoulders, and I loved the classic biker collar... but it was hideously 80s! The length was askward, and the sleeves were really wide in the upper arm. Belt loops! 



Don't I look happy?



So I took my sharp sewing scissors and taught it a lesson!





That's better! Cropping it meant replacing the zipper, but it was worth it!



I premiered it last month... went well with my Halloween costume!



Thanks for looking!

[liasaun1]

I love your haaaaaaaaaaair as much as the jacket! Mine is pink underneath but it's not as long as yours. I can't wait until it is

[loreleiariadne]

Holy Crap that was SCARY!  I was using my page down key looking at your pics and then BAM zombie vampire!  geez.  The jacket's awesome.  You totally rocked that recon!

[M Fox]

oh, wow, I have a leather jacket that could almost be its twin!  I haven't worn it in ages, and have thought about doing a recon on it.  maybe I'll have to brainstorm some ideas...

was it difficult sewing on the leather?  I've yet to do that.

[leeska]

I love it - great recon!
**makes mental note to keep an eye out for leather jackets at thrift shops**

[Strangel]

excellent job!  i'm terrified to sew leather..mainly because i am afraid my rinkydink machine will break on me.  did you have problems with it at all?

[damn your eyes]

Thanks everyone! Guess I should have warned you about the monster at the bottom of the page!

re: leather; I knew I'd be sewing leather, so I made sure my machine could hack it when I bought it. Sewing leather requires leather needles, upholstery thread, a Teflon foot, and a machine with muscle. The leather on this jacket was pretty thin and buttery, so my machine had no probs.

I'd say the most difficult thing about sewing with leather is the fact that you can't pin before you sew (pinning leaves permanent holes). Fabric glue is a must!

[pennydreadfull]

thats freaking awesome!! i love it!

[violentjayne]

Rockin Jacket and costume ! I would have prolly been afraid to tackel the new zipper .. but like you said it was so worth it ! great great job !

[isis420]

That jacket is awesome!  Thanks for the fabric glue tip - I have a 60's leather jacket I want to play with, and I got as far as cutting it up before I realised I didn't know how to put it back together again!