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lining a purchased jacket

schmatta | Posted in General Sewing Info on

I haven’t been here in ages; sorry about that.
I have a supple black leather jacket, front-zip, that’s lost its lining.
Leather being what it is, I think it needs a lining. I have no idea how to cut a lining to fit the jacket. Once lining is assembled, I am equally clueless as to how to attach it to outer shell.
And, no, original lining no longer exists to use as pattern.
Oh savvy ones, pls help me.

Replies

  1. Susan -homedecsewing | | #1

    I have done this. I made a pattern of muslin. laid out each section and cut it a little bigger.machine baste together and try on for fit. if it does, replicate in lining fabric.use a nice lining since you are going thru all this trouble.If there are any remains of the original liner it will help solve the puzzle. don't forget the pockets. do them first. make a pleat in the center back. sew inside out. leave a sleeve seam open to turn rightside out.sew 2"tabs inside underarm sleeve.and attach to inside seam. maybe use fabric tac at the inside of hem at sleeve and bottom if needed. good luck. and I hope you have a sturdy machine. Also make sure to use a very long stitch in leather.too close will make it weak

    Edited 10/25/2009 7:11 pm ET by Susan -homedecsewing

    1. schmatta | | #2

      thanks, Susan,
      This is good advice. Yeah, I have a lovely old Bernina, and I've sewn on leather before. I didn't know about leaving a sleeve seam open, though.
      S

      1. stillsuesew | | #3

        that was good advice. You may want to use a leather needle - has a very sharp point.

  2. Teaf5 | | #4

    Susan's reply is right on.  You can also used waxed paper to make the pattern.  If you hem the lining nicely, you don't really need to attach it to the leather--a couple of tacks at the side seam will do the trick.

    1. schmatta | | #5

      also wonderful advice. Now I am eager to get started.
      Thank you!

      1. KharminJ | | #6

        Schmatta ~ Thank you so much for asking that question! You put it very succinctly, and our brilliant friends-we-(mostly)-haven't-met-yet have clearly answered a question that's been floating around, unformed, in my head for years. I've got jackets, coats and blazers that are just too nice to pitch, but desperately need new linings - now I've got a place to start! Yay!Bright Blessings to you all!Kharmin

  3. SueV | | #7

    Hi. The other advice about lining the jacket is great. I sometimes pick up really nice leather jackets at garage sales for as cheap as $1 because the acetate lining has been shredded - or is completely gone. So I too have done it a few times. It's not that hard.Yes, make the pattern to test the size, etc., put it together and then bag the lining through the sleeve slit. Oh, and be sure to use some really fun and unique lining, not just the boring stuff the ready-to-wear uses. Really pretty prints are unique and also help identify the jacket as yours when you leave it behind at a party. You can even use something outrageously bright (such as hot pink with black leather) since it won't show through the leather.When I relined mine, I used a nice thick presscloth and wedged some of that stitch wichery (or whatever you call that seam stuff that glues one side to the other) carefully all around the bottom edge of each sleeve and also across the hem area once I had the lining bagged. It was a little tricky getting it placed smoothly and a bit of a pain to position it. But once I did, I took a steam iron with the press cloth over the leather where the stich wichery was, and hit it with the steam. It worked great. You can iron leather but be sure to use a presscloth over the it before applying steam. By using that stuff I didn't need to think about hemming any of it. (I got the idea by observing what the manufacturer used on one of these jackets.)Another thing you may want to consider is putting an underlining in for warmth before putting the lining in. You can even quilt something warm to the lining before you bag it. I did that with a leather coat because although leather is a great windbreaker and raincoat, it isn't terribly warm. But with the warm underlining, it is a great windbreaker, raincoat and winter coat.My leather jackets are still in great shape after replacing the linings and using that hem gluing stuff after several years.

    1. schmatta | | #8

      Love it! Thank you ever so much. Here I'd been thinking I was the first pioneer ever to attempt such an intimidating feat. Not so!
      Really appreciate this, Sue. (I'd have done that fancy lining print on my own!)

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