New video series available at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thehta
Since the release of my free video series The Making of a Coat in 2012, I realised the need for a ’how-to’ video series on coat making, particularly Savile Row Coat making.
So many people say, ‘tailoring is a dying art’. It's not because there are fewer people taking up the needle, but rather aspiring tailors are finding it harder and harder to secure an apprenticeship under a master of the trade.
I fully support colleges and evening courses offering classes on tailoring, as it can really help a lot of people develop their skills and quench their thirst for knowledge.
Since opening my own school of tailoring (The Handcraft Tailor Academy) in 2016 I have hosted in-house courses and then I introducing online courses in 2017. I have helped scores of people realise their dreams of becoming garment makers. The world is full of non-sewing tailors; too few really have the skills to claim the title.
The Making of a Savile Row Coat was produced for the aspiring tailor. Someone who couldn’t access the knowledge through the usual channels - for the college student who wanted to study tailoring but had to settle for fashion design or even the apprentice who feels they are being held back and want to progress at a faster pace. Even other tailors who want to brush up on their skills, or have difficulty with certain aspects of garment making and want to see how the pros do it.
Over the years, I have come to know many who wish to possess the knowledge of a Savile Row tailor but just lacked the opportunities until now.
The Making of a Savile Row Coat is a ’how-to’ video series which details the exact step by step process to make a handcraft coat. No detail is left out. These videos are painstakingly slow at times so the viewer is left in no doubt of how to make every aspect of the garment.
Each episode comes with a description so a student can skip ahead or pick up where they left off.
There is no limit on how many videos you can watch or when - it’s full access for one fee 24/7.
You don’t need fancy equipment to be a handcraft tailor. For much of the video series, I use a standard household iron for the under-pressing and final press off. A domestic sewing machine will sew a seam just as well as an industrial one.
But the one tool a tailor can’t do without is the thimble, so I encourage you to take the time and learn that skill.
Sleeve boards and chest boards (also known as a 'ham') is a must. New ones can be hard to come by and some haberdasheries do sell modern versions but old school ones are best. eBay is a great place to pick up old sleeve and chest boards.
I will add a post here on how to cut and make your own, as I do for my in-house students.
That brings me to the trimming packages, I have partnered with Dugdales Brothers in Huddersfield, England. Dugdales are well known as being student-friendly, allowing tours of their establishment and even offering sponsorships.
Together we have developed a trimming package that contains everything and more to produce one coat. I use the same pack in the video series, so my materials will match with yours.
Always remember to add the promo code of
COAT
when checking out to avail of a huge discount.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to reach out, we would love to hear from you.
Best wishes,
Rory.
I know. We shoot a few versions of it. But the lighting was bad and it didn’t reflect well on the series. I ended up sending the coat to NYC as a sample. It didn’t fit really well. Lovely and clean through the back and a nice uninterrupted drape on the back sleeves. Given the delays in postage at the moment I will have to wait a few more weeks before having it sent back to me and replacing it with another sample.
I just finished my first full watch through of the video series (helps me to watch the entirety of the process, then go back and work along). It really is a great, informative series, and I am looking very forward to getting to work on it.
I had one small, minor complaint. You didn’t give us a look at you wearing the finished coat! :)
Maybe you might consider coming to Ireland too one day.
I have watched 2 of the videos so far in " The making of a Savile Row coat" and have picked up a few new interesting things already. As someone who has spent a small fortune becoming a bespoke tailor, I think this is the best value going. Everyone interested in taking up tailoring should watch this, tailoring is best when you keep learning. I cannot emphasise enough that this is a resource that is scarce and cost effective. Covid has stopped me travelling to London this year to learn a little more, this video series so far has been a great stand in and I am just starting with this series. Thanks Rory a very selfless act that will…