lengthening a Kiton with working buttonholes?

[Admiral Kelvinator]

I picked up a Kiton cashmere sportcoat from a consignment shop today that fits beautifully everywhere except that the left sleeve needs to be lengthened by about 1 inch. Normally this would not be a problem, but this jacket has working buttonholes.

Now, when I asked my local tailor if it would be possible to simply sew the last button hole closed and cut a new one closer to the cuff, he became extremely reluctant, which was surprising since he has done some pretty extreme modifications for me in the past (including turning a 6x1 DB into a 6x2).

My question is this: is my idea to sew one button hole shut and cut a new one closer to the cuff really such a bad one? Does it require a degree of tailoring skill above the local dry cleaners? If it is indeed infeasible, are there any altenatives open to me?

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by Admiral Kelvinator

I picked up a Kiton cashmere sportcoat from a consignment shop today that fits beautifully everywhere except that the left sleeve needs to be lengthened by about 1 inch. Normally this would not be a problem, but this jacket has working buttonholes.

Now, when I asked my local tailor if it would be possible to simply sew the last button hole closed and cut a new one closer to the cuff, he became extremely reluctant, which was surprising since he has done some pretty extreme modifications for me in the past (including turning a 6x1 DB into a 6x2).

My question is this: is my idea to sew one button hole shut and cut a new one closer to the cuff really such a bad one? Does it require a degree of tailoring skill above the local dry cleaners? If it is indeed infeasible, are there any altenatives open to me?

So . . . have the sleeve lengthened and one more buttonhole added toward the sleeve's bottom. If the other sleeve's length is fine have an additional buttonhole added above the others on that sleeve. No one other than you will notice that the sleeves have five buttons instead of four.

Not even the most skilled tailor can sew closed a buttonhole without leaving a scar. If you are dead set on not having more buttons, a good re-weaver can possibly take a piece from behind the lapel or pocket flap underside (depending on pattern and fading) and weave closed the hole you want removed. Nevertheless, you will need the same number of buttonholes on each sleeve for visual balance.

It is a rather unusual way to put a Kiton jacket in your closet! Don't ruin a decently made RTW jacket with "short cuts" in tailoring.

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[von Rothbart]

Go with 5 buttons holes. Or lengthen it without adding a button hole, what the distantce between the sleeve end to the first button hole? Closing and reweaving the button hole is highly questionable. Another option is to lengthen the sleeve from shoulder.

 

[Admiral Kelvinator]

Originally Posted by von Rothbart

Another option is to lengthen the sleeve from shoulder.

This is an intriguing idea. Has anyone else done this successfully? Is it possible to add an inch from the shoulder?

I'm really glad I asked before making an irreversible mistake.

 

[bengal-stripe]

Originally Posted by von Rothbart

Another option is to lengthen the sleeve from shoulder.

Originally Posted by Admiral Kelvinator

Is it possible to add an inch from the shoulder?

I'm afraid, it cannot be done. There are no sufficient inlays to lengthen.

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by Full Canvas

(depending on pattern . . . )
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Originally Posted by von Rothbart

Go Another option is to lengthen the sleeve from shoulder.

Originally Posted by Admiral Kelvinator

This is an intriguing idea. Has anyone else done this successfully? Is it possible to add an inch from the shoulder?

I'm really glad I asked before making an irreversible mistake.

It may be possible, but highly unlikely that one inch is available at the sleeve's top end.

Neverthless, you have failed to mention whether or not any pattern exists. If the cloth has a pattern, you must match the patern on the sleeve to the pattern on the chest/back when changing sleeve length from the armscye.

A tailor must be rather well-skilled to perform such an alteration. Since this entire project seems to be (possibly) driven by budget considerations, you should realize the possible option of lengthening from the armscye is fairly expensive.

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[a tailor]

sorry but there is nothing at the top of the sleeve to lengthen with.
your only hope is the reweave one buttonhole and make a new one route.
or do the 5 button thing. but that means a new set of buttons.
good luck

 

[Admiral Kelvinator]

Originally Posted by Full Canvas

Neverthless, you have failed to mention whether or not any pattern exists. If the cloth has a pattern, you must match the patern on the sleeve to the pattern on the chest/back when changing sleeve length from the armscye.

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yes it is a blue jacket with red and white windowpane. I hadn't thought about the pattern matching, that would be a problem.

I never imagined that getting a sleeve lengthened would be so fraught with difficulty. Maybe I will take the jacket to the NYC Kiton store and ask them for advice.

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by Admiral Kelvinator

yes it is a blue jacket with red and white windowpane. I hadn't thought about the pattern matching, that would be a problem.

I never imagined that getting a sleeve lengthened would be so fraught with difficulty. Maybe I will take the jacket to the NYC Kiton store and ask them for advice.

Really?

What on earth can anyone in the Kiton store tell you that has not been mentioned above by more than one poster? Perhaps you should simply stick to old refrigerators.

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[a tailor]

ask your tailor what the cost will be for each of the two options. thats all you have.
then take your druthers.
or sell it off.

 

[kabert]

Originally Posted by Admiral Kelvinator

This is an intriguing idea. Has anyone else done this successfully? Is it possible to add an inch from the shoulder?

I'm really glad I asked before making an irreversible mistake.

I had a 5th button added to the sleeves of a blazer for just the reason you have encountered. It turned out perfectly. The work was done by Field's in Washington, DC.