The ebay jacket arrives

[auld argonian]

...and it fits! Believe that rule of thumb that you should order one size up. I'll have to get it pressed before I dare to do a photo...it was crammed in a USPS priority box.

So I have a nice Navy Blue Argyle.

Now...who has advice on how to replace the buttons? I'd like to take the silver off and find some black buttons to replace them. These are the shank buttons and have a plastic disc and cotter pin holding them in place but the cotter pin/disc assembly is sewn inside the lining and I would dearly love to not have to do surgery to get at them. Any thoughts?

Best

AA

[beloitpiper]

No idea what to do with the buttons, but I'm jealous of the jacket! A tweed argyll is next on my list!

Can't wait for photos!

[Mr. MacDougall]

My advice on the buttons: Take 'em to your neighborhood alterations place, and let them do surgery on the jacket.

[McMurdo]

Congratulations on the new jacket, I concur with Mr. MacDougall, have the professionals do it for you.

[gilmore]

...and it fits! Believe that rule of thumb that you should order one size up. I'll have to get it pressed before I dare to do a photo...it was crammed in a USPS priority box....


AA

Or in some case TWO sizes larger. Just a couple of days ago I finally received here in the US a lovat blue (or close to it) tweed argyle jacket and waistcoat from the UK that I had bought at an Ebay auction on September 12. I had almost given up hope of seeing them. My chest measures 46 inches. The waistcoat was advertised as 48 inches, and the jacket as 50. I was expecting to have to take at least the jacket if not also the waistcoat to a local seamstress to have them altered, but they both fit quite well. The material is a heavy wool, so I guess that accounts for the fit.

[O'Neille]

Look around the lining for an opening to get at the cotter pins. My Montrose has a sewn opening in the forearm lining so you can navigate your way to the pins.

[auld argonian]

I'd love to turn the job over to a professional, guys, but the problem that I'm running into is the lack of really qualified tailors hereabouts. Lots of "cowboys" and no old pro's...and forget the possbility that I'd be dealing with anybody who knew their @$$ from a hole in the ground vis a vis kilts or kilt jackets. My last guy was a gentleman from Palestine who had a shop downtown and, when the building sold, he moved with no forwarding adress...that guy did know what he was doing and I have no doubt that he could have handled anything that got thrown at him.

So I'll either go and finally check out that small kilt shop out in Summit or look for a tailor that specializes in cop and fireman uniforms...that might be a possibility.

But I see mention of the buttons being removed before dry cleaning...is that a necessity?

Best

AA

[pipesndrumsnun]

Can't wait to see the pics! Navy blue is my favorite color!

[cacunn]

Look around the lining for an opening to get at the cotter pins. My Montrose has a sewn opening in the forearm lining so you can navigate your way to the pins.

Look at the where the lining is attached to the bottom edge of the jacket, perferably the back edge. If there is a seam that you can get at this might be the way to get in. Check to see if the lining is free floating and is basicly attached only at the outer edges. If this is so you should be able to carefully open the bottom seam, turn the jacket partially inside out to get at the buttons.

You should be able to find button with shanks at any sewing store or even Wal-Mart. Replace the button and resew the lining to the jacket. By going through the back seam any imperfections in resewing should be hidden by your pleats.

Look at how the lining is sewn in before you open the seam. You can probably resew this sew by small stitches just under the fold of the lining and jacket.

Good luck, if you have problems resewing the lining you could use one of the iron on tapes to close the seam until you have time to do it right.

You could also take the jacket to the place where you get your buttons and talk to the sales clerks. Most are vary helpful and if there is time give you a lot of information. You might even get lucky and she could be young, pretty, impressed by a man in a kilt and offer to help. Stranger thing have happend.

[sean_cummings]

AA,
I have been to the shop in Summit. A cranky old guy owns it and it smells of stale smoke and a little bit of mold. But I think they would be very able to take care of the tailoring of your new jacket. You just may have to get it cleaned when you get it back if you don't want it to smell of smoke.