New jacket

[Steve S.]

Finally got around to taking some halfway decent photos of this one I recently finished. It is based on the pattern from a postwar Sears Hercules jacket that has always been a very comfortable, functional jacket. This is the pattern I use frequently & change up the options & add pockets, different collars etc to create one off jackets. I added some pockets on this one & a larger mouton collar close to the size I use for my B-2's. Also added an inner G-1 style windflap. Liner is a vintage looking cloth backed with a layer of polartec fleece for good insulation.

the original hercules;



















in direct sunlight:



liner (added a smartphone pocket):

 

[dan_t]

Just to confirm, you made this one?
If so, that's awesome!
Looks really well made & very even stitching. What's the hide?

 

[Steve S.]

Yes, I made this. Have made jackets for years, but really gotton serious about it in the last year.

Hide is 2.5 oz steerhide & really soft and comfortable!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Very nice, Steve.

 

[Monitor]

Really, REALLY impressive, in just about every aspect! I don't know a whole lot about making leather jackets but yours looks perfect to me and this is such a great looking hide! Awesome and yeah, functional design, too. What's the hardware?

 

[Steve S.]

Very nice, Steve.

thanks buddy!

 

[Steve S.]

Really, REALLY impressive, in just about every aspect! I don't know a whole lot about making leather jackets but yours looks perfect to me and this is such a great looking hide! Awesome and yeah, functional design, too. What's the hardware?

Zips are vintage , NOS brass Talons. May end up changing the side buckles out for brass to match. Had that part finished before I decided to use the brass zips...

 

[handymike]

Wow Steve, nicely done!
That original of yours is one of my favorite designs. Can you show us any others that you've made?

 

[Superfluous]

I could make that jacket . . . . if John Chapman and David Himel "helped" me (e.g., did all the work while I filled their glasses of water).

Outstanding job! The fit is perfect.

 

[Steve S.]

I Currently have everything in place to make B-2's
First prototype;




Also copying the Willis & Geiger pattern of the AN-J-3 copied from my original.







Luftwaffe double breasted "Marseilles"







Grizzly:







Also thinking about adding a M-422a to the list.

 

[Steve S.]

I could make that jacket . . . . if John Chapman and David Himel "helped" me (e.g., did all the work while I filled their glasses of water).

Outstanding job! The fit is perfect.

Thanks! I always do the first one in my size, that way if nobody likes it, I can at least wear it!!

 

[handymike]

wow, wow, and wow!

 

[Monitor]

I'm out of words. Grizzly, even!?

Man, you can just make any jacket you fancy at the moment!

 

[Bighatlaw]

Awesome work Steve. Keep it up!!

 

[Bunyip]

Great stuff Steve, very talented indeed.

 

[Steve S.]

Thanks folks! I also do some restoration/repair work. I try to find "unloved" old jackets, fix them up & give them a new life with someone who will appreciate them.

 

[GraceNote13]

Wow, thats some incredible work. How long does it take you normally to make a jacket?

 

[Steve S.]

Wow, thats some incredible work. How long does it take you normally to make a jacket?

Usually 2-3 weeks on average. If I have all the supplies here & don't have to depend on suppliers, shorter. I try to keep everything pretty well in stock except for some of the hides, but do have a large supply of goatskin arriving tomorrow from France.

 

[Edward]

Lovely run of jackets. The 'cigarette pocket' on the one on the OP is a nice feature - I imagine it would be ideal for a phone or an ipod or some other such thing to which one might want easy access without unzipping on a cold day!

 

[RJR]

Very nice work.