Are there pockets on the outside
#Improving my ranger coat
floral warren
low cargo
There are no pockets on the outside.
floral warren
K so why don’t you wear it for a week or so so you can get a feel for where the pockets would work for you. But a think a dark thinish material could be lined in there with some snaps that are the same color to the coat
low cargo
I'll look into the snaps. I hadn't heard of something like that. I've never really done any garment altering before.
floral warren
Just take lots of pictures of the progress and I’m sure there are others here that might have ideas before you commit to one idea.
low cargo
Basically the goal. Will update as I fail and/or succeed
floral warren
i think it cam be achieved
serene cargo
I wouldn't go with iron-on, because I'm assuming you want to put things in the pockets and iron-on isn't known to be very sturdy. And that might lead to tragedy if you hide something important in one of those pockets. Iron-on also makes fabric stiff, so the outline of the pocket might show through due to a stiff patch of fabric when the rest of the garment drapes a certain way.
It's possible that stitching wouldn't show up too much, but that depends on what kind of fabric you have and what kind of thread and stitching you use. If it's a finer thread and a fabric with a slightly fuzzy or slightly loose weave (or... loose yarn? idk the technical term), the stitches might be hidden pretty well. Just do your best to try to get the tension right if you're using a sewing machine. There's also something called a "blind hem" or "invisible hem." But unfortunately those aren't usually meant to be load-bearing, so they have the same issue as the iron-on potentially breaking and dropping what's in the pocket. I still wanted to mention it because it's nearly impossible to see unless you're explicitly looking for it.
Another possibility is to hide stitching with something on the outside. Like embroidery or decorative patches/applique. Then you can sneakily either cover the pocket stitching or incorporate it into the outer design.
analog plinth
If you want secret pockets then you can match your thread to the fabric (both in material and color). Also depending on if the fabric is thick enough there are some ways of sewing that don’t go completely through the fabric. It is something that takes skill and is done by hand.
rancid oriole
You could also line the cloak yourself to sew the pockets onto the lining
runic gyro
I'm gonna go with the others here and suggest lining the coat yourself as well. That is the nice thing about Burgschneider is that they make decent basic stuff that you can customize to your own specs
thorn flame
"...the best cloaks have innumerable little pockets...".
Such a good story!
low cargo
Thank you all for the ideas. Yeah, I'm of two minds right now.
1- Use patches and leather work on the outside to weather it like I've had it a long time and then use those outer blemishes to hide pockets.
2- line it and sew normal pockets.
Now... I happen to have a second cloak of the exact same type. I bought two for sizing and was planning to send one back. Is there a benefit to using the same material, or should I line it with something lighter?
atomic spearBOT
GG @low cargo, you just advanced to level 1!
rancid oriole
Thank you all for the ideas. Yeah, I'm of two minds right now.
1- Use patches a...
I'd say it's up to your preference, you could use a different colour lining to maybe give it a cool look from the inside, but you're completely free to use the same material. Though, I wouldn't make your cloak too thick, I don't know what it's made of, but it doesn't look like a real thick material, so I think you'd be fine using the same material if you want. But again, I think it is completely up to your preference
runic gyro
Thank you all for the ideas. Yeah, I'm of two minds right now.
1- Use patches a...
If you are going for a well used/rough/worn look then option # 1 is also great idea
I own an old Mason's cloak that has huge inside pockets (I can store a LARP Dagger in each along with other items with ease and you'd never know i had them).......... The pockets are atatched to the lining
I think if you line it, what you use comes down, as mentioned above, how much load bearing capability you need so far as the thickness goes (it is possible to find thin but very tough materials)
quartz vortex
So if you want to stitch in pockets you could think about adding some Designs to the outside (embroidery, patches etc) to hide the outter stitches
lucid spoke
Some hand stitches can be very strong and less noticeable than machine stitching!
deft zenith
Thank you all for the ideas. Yeah, I'm of two minds right now.
1- Use patches a...
If you don't mind the leather adding weight to the coat, regular leather or suede both are good options. Also adds a bit of protection, depending on how your larp uses defense points.
low cargo
If you don't mind the leather adding weight to the coat, regular leather or sued...
That's also something I've been considering. But I was uncertain how it would look with the fake lapel thing going on at the front opening. I'll certainly give it some thought.
low cargo
Well, I just let my youtube play while working. Turns out Cl3ver already did this a year ago!
https://youtu.be/rr_FfxtBMyA?si=sqRJFKf03KxKhBBG&t=343
He even brought up the same quote I did. Man, there's nothing new under the sun. So I happened to buy a grimfrost wool cloak a few weeks ago. I'm thinking now, use the coat as the lining and the wool cloak will be the outer shell.
whole kestrel
Maybe make a hidden fabric compartment? Conceal all your treasures and a way of clearing it of any debris
low cargo
What do you mean debris?
atomic spearBOT
GG @low cargo, you just advanced to level 2!
whole kestrel
What do you mean debris?
Scrap ore ,scrap paper and charcoal,sand ect
What the person wants
low cargo
Currently waiting to get back from vacation before making my cuts. And rethinking the wool outer shell idea. It's a fun one, but it'd render the coat usless during all the summer larps.
I did some test pockets on similar fabric, and it works. But it got really heavy. Now if there's a larp in the dead of winter, I'd be set
whole kestrel
Well you can still have a wall outer shell but do something that MythBusters did where they took some tubing with some water and made an entire suit that was be able to cool them down but honestly it looks more like a dune cosplay sorry
low cargo
I think that may be a bit of scope creep. But I like the idea.
whole kestrel
What's your idea of having to keep cool without having ill side effects
low cargo
Use a lighter material.
Like if I did line the cloak with the wool. It has no arms. So then my arms are cold and I'd still need a heavy cloak or something to make up for it
whole kestrel
That's actually a better idea sorry
runic gyro
Like if I did line the cloak with the wool. It has no arms. So then my arms are ...
You could also make removable arms like they do on many doublets (personally made a thick wool like that myself lined with heavy cotton fabric)
The sleeves lace on at the shoulders
low cargo
I would like to do that. I'm a little hesitant to try. I've never sewed and pockets seemed achievable. We're starting to get way out of my depth.
runic gyro
runic gyro
I would like to do that. I'm a little hesitant to try. I've never sewed and pock...
I did it myself (I sew mostly leather and have little exp with sewing all fabric projects)and quite frankly I think it would be easier than the pockets
I also did all the stitching by hand and copied the patterns for both the doublet and removable sleeves (from two separate garments as sources) from preexisting garments I already have
Wanted a doublet that was the same shape as the two garments I made the patterns from but neither place I got said garments from makes them in wool and I wanted one in wool
In short, even folks who don't have a lot of experience can do things they have less experience with, do what you gotta do..............i'm just providing encouragement hopefully
👍
