My coat has an ugly color on the collar, with blingy trim. I took it to a tailor today, who said he couldn’t do anything with it! He said all collars have two layers, so if he takes off the layer I don’t like, it will be just the under layer. So, I suggested that he then sew on a fabric I would like better. He declined, saying he couldn’t do it. It would be butchering it!
I asked about dying it (its a beige suedy fabric on a brown coat), and he said it would come out badly. It would ruin my ability to wash and dry the coat, anyway.
Any suggestions?
Couldn’t a collar be made to go over the preexisting one? Kind of like how the fox hunters do when they get their colors?
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?465601-Sewing-colours-on-a-hunt-coat
Based on what one of the posters says, she had one set of colors put on top of the one coat’s collar and for the second coat, a seamstress deconstructed the collar for her and replaced the top part with the colors. Not sure what your coat looks like, but if it isn’t legitimately too complicated, it sounds like your tailor maybe just doesn’t want to do it.
I think I’d find myself another tailor! This isn’t a very difficult change you’re asking for.
Find a better tailor. That type of change shouldn’t be terribly difficult.
Agree with the others! I’d go find a different tailor(;
A tailor or seamstress would be able to change it without difficulty.
That’s what I thought, too. Then, he suggested that instead of changing out the points, buttons and collar (which is what I wanted him to do) (might cost $100), that I might want to buy a new coat! I told him that I’d rather put a little money into the changes, than spend $1200 for a new shadbelly! I’ll let him change the points and buttons, then find someone more helpful…
[QUOTE=dressagegirl123;8897751]
That’s what I thought, too. Then, he suggested that instead of changing out the points, buttons and collar (which is what I wanted him to do) (might cost $100), that I might want to buy a new coat! I told him that I’d rather put a little money into the changes, than spend $1200 for a new shadbelly! I’ll let him change the points and buttons, then find someone more helpful…[/QUOTE]
It might be more economical to engage one person to do all the work rather than pay this chap to do the points and buttons and then find a skilled person for the collar.
I used Equus Contour (not sure on spelling), in Scottsdale, AZ. It was $50 to change to a two tone collar on a previously plain collar.
[QUOTE=dressagegirl123;8897751]
That’s what I thought, too. Then, he suggested that instead of changing out the points, buttons and collar (which is what I wanted him to do) (might cost $100), that I might want to buy a new coat! I told him that I’d rather put a little money into the changes, than spend $1200 for a new shadbelly! I’ll let him change the points and buttons, then find someone more helpful…[/QUOTE]
It would seem he is not interested in your business. I would take it all elsewhere.
Thanks, fly, but I need to find someone in NJ!
I’ve done it on two of my own coats, and for several people at my barn. Happy to do it for you via mail order – PM me for info.
I agree with the others that a different tailor is in order. I would however say thank you to the one you asked. He could have taken your money and done a bad job. Instead he said what he could do and what he could not.
Just because he said no doesn’t mean he is a horrible tailor. It means it isn’t something he can do. I so wish more people understood their limits.
Frankly, I sew and I wouldn’t want to take a collar apart.
I agree, hat. Much better to tell me upfront. I’m disappointed, though, because I specifically sought out a tailor who had his own shop, rather than someone in the back room of a dry cleaners!
I’ve actually had a tailor say exactly the same thing - the issue is it is very tricky to make it come out perfectly and they don’t want to be on the hook for destroying an expensive coat.
I’m on the fence about it, on the one hand I appreciate the high standards/honesty, on the other hand it just doesn’t seem all that hard (says she who can barely sew on a button).
OP Where in NJ are you?
My co-worker’s aunt is a seamstress and works on wedding dresses. She shortened the sleeves on a Melton for me. She replaced zippers on 2 pairs of breeches for me.
Co-worker lives in Bridgeton and Aunt somewhere near there.
I would bet she easily could do it for you.
The big problem is that she smokes at home so I needed to air out my Melton when she was done.
Let me know if you want me to get her contact info. Co-worker would always just drop it off/pick it up for me.
Agree w/ Exploding Pony. The tailor I’ve used for 5+ years said no way. I took the jacket to a strictly men’s tailor and he quoted me $125 and explained in broken english why it was difficult. Left shaking my head.
Arab Diva, can you PM details, price, pics?
I think I’ll just leave it the way it is for the National Championships. I think it would look too thick adding a layer, and, if it gets messed up, I’m up a creek!
