Canvas Indy Jacket

[Prof.Wex]

Hello to everyone,

Im on a mission to get a Indy jacket made from canvas. I recently asked a particular vendor if he would be willing to make me one, and the response I got was good. I wont mention the vendors name, He knows who he is, Ill leave it to him to chime in if he wants. Im hoping he will. Anyway the purpose of this thread is to see if anyone else would be interested in a canvas version of Indy's jacket. keep in mind that a canvas jacket can be worn in many seasons. not to mention how tough the material is. just take a look at your Indy bag, its made from canvas. also, canvas can be dyed any color. heres an example of a canvas jacket I used to wear.




so why do I want a canvas Indy jacket, 1: I like the material, it can take a beating. 2: I can wear it in the warmer seasons while my leather Indys hang in my closet waiting for the cold. 3: well, there is no 3 ;D

Well thats it, anyone else got any thoughts on this?

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[GCR]

I like the idea of a canvas jacket in general, but I for one, probably wouldn't be interested in an Indy style canvas jacket, specifically. Not that I think it's a bad idea, mind you, just not my thing, that's all.

I DO, however, agree with your assessment of Canvas as a good jacket material. I've been wanting a canvas jacket myself, but something more on the long side, like one of them 4 pocket, military style, field coat dealies, in a dark khaki or an OD green.

Anyways, this is a very cool idea, Wex! Even though I won't be first in line for a canvas Indy, I'm still curious to see how this progresses!

-GCR

[Prof.Wex]

Hey Guys,

Well Ive decided that waiting 5 months to get this jacket made is worthwhile. However I'm taking this on as a personal project now. Last night I completely disassembled a old Indy jacket just to get the patterns started. ( I'll post some pics later tonight of the dissembled jacket. ) Keep in mind this is only a starting point, I'm going to make all the necessary tweaks and adjustments needed to make this as accurate as possible. I've already purchased a role of canvas thats already dyed dark brown. So I'm all set to go, from here its just a matter of adjusting the patterns before the jacket gets assembled. I have a friend at a alteration shop who will be doing the assembly. Shes a excellent seamstress and has all the no how needed to assemble the jacket correctly. STAY TUNED FOR PICS.

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[Kt. Templar]

I don't think I want to know which jacket you took apart! lol

[Prof.Wex]

Hey KT,

Not to worry, I would never take apart a Wested or G&B. I would also never ever take apart a jacket that was still wearable, the one I chose was 4 years old, and pretty much falling apart, It wasn't even wearable in the condition it was in. anyway, its giving new life to a new jacket so its well worth it. so here are the first pics. Ill post the canvas pattern cutouts a little later.



Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[Deleted]

This will be very interesting to watch

Is that another US Wings that you have ....uh dissected like a frog in biology class.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[Ragingblues]

Well, you've gone and done it now. ;D

Along with using this as a pattern for your canvas jacket, you can always have it sewn back together when you're finished. It will be like getting a new, yet old jacket back from the dead.

Good luck with the construction of a very versatile, rugged design,

Ken

[Prof.Wex]

GCR, G-Mann, RB,

Thanks for the support on this. I'm sure it will turn out good. keeping my fingers crossed though. well heres the first bit of progress. so far Ive got my back patterns worked out but I still need to make a few adjustments, these are cut from raw canvas, and are only going to serve as patterns. these pictures are a bit deceiving. the bottom panel appears to be a rectangle but I assure you its not. the top measures 18.25 inches across and the bottom measures 15-1/2 inches, the top shoulder panel measures 19 inches across the bottom. I made several changes to these patterns already. they are nowhere near the same measurements of the disassembled jacket. There are certain spots that may need to be curved slightly. My seamstress friend is going to go over every thing and make those necessary changes. I just need to supply her with these raw measurements. she said with a assembled jacket in hand shell take care of the rest..



Hope everyone enjoys watching this come together. kind of looks like cardboard right now. sorry about the bad lighting.

Sincerely, Prof.wex

[GCR]

Wow, Wex! This project is really coming together (well coming apart and then coming together ;D ) quickly!

I have the ultimate respect for gearheads like yourself and Marc and Pagey and many others, who decided that they want a specific piece of gear a cerrtain way and they are willing to sacrifice their own time and money (and jackets! ;D ) to make it themselves and get it just right!

Nice work so far!

-GCR

[Prof.Wex]

OK Guys,

My patterns are coming along nicely, I'm being very meticulous with the measurements so this will be interesting to see come together. I think the coolest part of this project is everyone getting to see the jacket dissected. The hardest part of this whole project is over. the back is complicated but I got it done. Tomorrow Ill be moving to the front then the sleeves. Oh and just wait till you see my pocket flaps, Ill post those real soon. It just hit me that ill be able to use these patterns to make a leather jacket as well.



Sincerely, Prof.Wex

more to come soon..

[Kt. Templar]

I don't know if I missed this, are you making it in a light coloured canvas or a brown?

[Prof.Wex]

Hey KT,

The canvas I'm using for the patterns is light colored, but I have an entire role of dark brown canvas thats treated with some sort of wax for the actual jacket. The dark brown canvas has a very nice color and because of the way its treated with wax it will have a little bit of a sheen to it, but not to much. My plan is to make 2 sets of patterns from the light canvas. one in a size 40 r and one in a 42 r. when I lay a piece of the dark brown canvas on my wested the color looks exactly the same, and from a distance you cant even tell that its canvas.

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[Prof.Wex]

This is just an update, I just finished the front patterns and the 2 piece sleeves. when you look at the pics it will appear that the patterns are very large, but you have to account for folded edges that will be sewn. those edges are included in the patterns. anyways its almost done. tomorrow Ill start the pockets and the collar. this is a size 40 regular pattern in case anyones wondering.



Sincerely, Prof.Wex

p.s. sorry about the lighting my camera just inst that good.

[GCR]

Wow, this project is moving right along, eh Wex?

I bet this whole thing will come together nicely! I'm really interested to see the finished product.

Nice work!

-GCR

[Prof.Wex]

GCR thanks for the compliments,

I think this will be a dead on match to my G&B since its been my reference for measurements. But I do need some help. Below is my pocket flap, I did a drawing then scanned it and colored it in photo shop just to see what it might look like. I really need some opinions and criticism on this flap before I cut it out for my pattern. this is the last pattern piece I need. So as soon as its done The jacket will be assembled. I cant wait to see the results.



note the canvas texture..

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[GCR]

Lookin' good, Wex!

I like the pocket flap design you've got there quite a bit! I think that'll make a great flap for your canvas jacket (hell, it's make a great flap on most leather jackets, too ;D )

Nice work!

-GCR

[Deleted]

This is truely an AWESOME thread Wex

This one may end up as a Sticky thread.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[IndyBlues]

I'm really digging this thread as well. A canvas Indy would make a great winter work jacket.
'Blues

[Prof.Wex]

Hey G-Mann,


Im glad your liking this thread. Ive really enjoyed this project. Heres a pic I made of my pocket flap. just playing around in photo shop, just for fun. Bye the way my jacket is being assembled starting next Monday, the test jacket will be cloth just to see how everything fits, and to see what adjustments need to be made to the patterns if any. then the canvas will be next. After that, Ill consider buying some goatskin from Tandy leather.



Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[Prof.Wex]

Guys,

my canvas Indy jacket is almost a reality, It's just about done and Ill be posting pics of the finished product soon. I cant wait to share the final product with everyone. Oh and this jacket is as tough as they come.

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[GCR]

Great news, Wex! Glad to hear it! I can hardly wait to see the finished product!

-GCR

[Prof.Wex]

Ok Guys,

heres where Im at thus far, first let me just say that my seem stress friend has been very busy, so after getting a crash course in sewing, Ive decided to assemble the jacket myself, so this being the first time Ive ever sewn, heres what Ive gotten done so far on the test jacket. In the pics below You'll see some unfinished edges on the bottom of the jacket, these stay unfinished until its time to put the liner in. also the sleeves, the collar, side straps and pockets have not been sewn on yet. that will be done this weekend. Oh and the test jacket has been cut from the standard color canvas, Im saving the brown for the actual jacket.







In this last pic Im holding it where the straps will be. Its almost done.

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[Indiana Sam]

Im liking the idea of a canvas Indy jacket more and more, especially the idea of this jacket in a brown canvas color. Good job on the jacket this far. I cant wait to see the finished project.

[Ragingblues]

Wow ProfWex, I'm very impressed with all that you've done here!!

Not only is this the first pattern and sewing job you have attempted.... (on a very difficult design).... but the work itself looks very nice!

Mighty fine job sir, you should be proud of yourself!

Ken

[jweaver]

Woah dude, that is very cool!

I've always loved the idea of a canvas Indy jacket. Can't wait to see the end result here!