Need a Tailor (Someone) to Machine-Stitch Faux Buttonholes on Jacket Cuff(s)

[creagdhubh]

Greetings,

I currently own (3) Kinloch-Anderson day jackets in tweed: one in Lovat Blue (cheviot), one in Lovat Green (herringbone), and one in Charcoal (thornproof). I purchased them back in 2007-08, and have enjoyed them immensely.

My question is this:

All of the jackets come with a single-button on each cuff, however, I would like to add (2) more faux staghorn buttons to each cuff, not overlapping the buttons, but basically a total of (3) buttons in a row, per jacket cuff. I have already purchased the extra buttons for each jacket, however, I am having a difficult time locating a decent tailor in the greater Cincinnati area that could machine-stitch the faux buttonholes, and attach the buttons in the exact manner as Kinloch-Anderson has done, originally.

Is there anyone out there that can machine-stitch faux buttonholes and attach the buttons in the manner I have described?

I understand that this is a highly unusual request, but this is a detail that I would thoroughly enjoy, as it exists on some of my other tweed day jackets. I wish I was good with a sewing machine, otherwise I would attempt the minor feat myself!

If this request is indeed possible, please inform me (via PM) what the precise fee would be for the process to be done, including the cost of return shipping to my US address, and approximately how long it would take. Naturally, I would enclose a detailed letter within the package.

Thank you so much for your time and help, and I hope that someone amidst the rabble can be of assistance to me.

Kind regards and Happy Hogmanay!

[sydnie7]

Photos would help.

If the existing buttonhole does not show on the inside of the sleeve, then you are talking about opening up the sleeve lining which obviously complicates the process. It's not impossible but... also, if the buttonholes run parallel to the hem of the sleeve (as I suspect they do) it will be more difficult to create them on an already assembled sleeve.

I'm not putting my name in the hat! But anybody who thinks of tackling the project will want this info at a minimum, and probably much more, before even venturing a guess at time and dollars.

[creagdhubh]

Photos would help.

If the existing buttonhole does not show on the inside of the sleeve, then you are talking about opening up the sleeve lining which obviously complicates the process. It's not impossible but... also, if the buttonholes run parallel to the hem of the sleeve (as I suspect they do) it will be more difficult to create them on an already assembled sleeve.

I'm not putting my name in the hat! But anybody who thinks of tackling the project will want this info at a minimum, and probably much more, before even venturing a guess at time and dollars.

Thanks for your comments. Yes, the existing buttonhole runs parallel to the hem of the sleeve and does not show on the inside of the sleeve. It appears as if the non-functional buttonholes were machine-stitched first, then the button sewn into its appropriate place.

Below is a photo of the existing single-button cuff on the Lovat green jacket, and also an example of what I would like the cuff to look like with additional buttons, however, this particular example shows three buttons sewn in a row, but I do not wish to have that much space between each button. Instead, I'd rather have a 1/2 space between each button - close to oneanother, but no overlapping of the buttons.

KA Jacket


Example with three buttons


Thanks again,

[sydnie7]

OK, it looks as if the button is on a "flap" that mimics a small cuff. If that can be opened up and the buttonholes added (without too much deconstruction of the sleeve) then the project is much more do-able. Only challenge is finding somebody with the confidence to put needle to your lovely jackets! Best of luck (from a too-busy, but always curious, sydnie7)

[creagdhubh]

OK, it looks as if the button is on a "flap" that mimics a small cuff. If that can be opened up and the buttonholes added (without too much deconstruction of the sleeve) then the project is much more do-able. Only challenge is finding somebody with the confidence to put needle to your lovely jackets! Best of luck (from a too-busy, but always curious, sydnie7)

Yes, it seems like a rather simple and straight-forward process. I mean, to me, it doesn't seem like a huge deal - I just don't have any experience with sewing.

Thanks!

[piperdbh]

My recommendation is to print some good close-up pictures of what you want, then take them and the jacket to a fabric store such as Jo-Anne's or a small quilting shop and ask the proprietor or manager about their customers who might be willing to take on the job. Barring that, ask at your favorite men's wear store to see if their alterations lady might do it. A tailor might see it as too small a job to do, but an old lay who likes to sew might appreciate the challenge and a few dollars.

[davidg]

My advice is going to be completely different. Sorry

Replicating the existing button holes is difficult and unlikely to be 100% successful. You need a tailor who has the equipment to precisely reproduce the SAME buttonholes and that is not going to be an easy task. The result may not be satisfactory unless the original buttonholes on the cuffs can be unpicked and re-worked. That may itself be difficult because buttonhole stitches are usually very tight and not easy to unpick

Unless you can go back to the original manufacturer I would caution against getting this done. If you are determined to go ahead, get just one jacket done first and make sure you are happy with the result before doing the others

[creagdhubh]

Thank you to all who have replied thus far. I have contacted Kinloch-Anderson to see what can be done. We shall see what they say. I may just forget about the whole thing, save the money (and headache) and leave the jackets alone.

Cheers,

[sydnie7]

My advice is going to be completely different. Sorry

Replicating the existing button holes is difficult and unlikely to be 100% successful. You need a tailor who has the equipment to precisely reproduce the SAME buttonholes and that is not going to be an easy task. The result may not be satisfactory unless the original buttonholes on the cuffs can be unpicked and re-worked. That may itself be difficult because buttonhole stitches are usually very tight and not easy to unpick

Unless you can go back to the original manufacturer I would caution against getting this done. If you are determined to go ahead, get just one jacket done first and make sure you are happy with the result before doing the others

All that is true, plus the challenge of matching thread color and type (thickness, material which affects "shine" or matte appearance, etc.). Although considering the application -- small buttonholes which are partially covered by the button itself -- a good job will get close. The question is how "close" is close enough vs. perfect, for this person on this garment.

[Lyle1]

I showed your posting to my wife, who used to teach sewing. She thinks that what you want to have done is fairly simple. She feels that it should be easy to open the placket, loosen the lining, and do the button hole on the sewing machine. She wonders if the "tailors" that you approached might consider machine stitched button holes to be a bit beneath them, as they might normally do a bound button hole. She suggests that you try a dry cleaner that offers tailoring/alteration services. Some dry cleaners offer quite competent tailoring. In fact, the wife of the dry cleaner that we used in Pennsylvania was so good, that my wife stopped doing alterations on our clothing that required any tailoring techniques. We do miss that woman!