Sherlock Coat opinions/info?

Everyone. I just hit a jackpot! I've found the closest looking fabric I've ever been able to find in the United States to the original coat fabric. Whew!!!! It's gonna wipe me out with it being 14.99 a yard, but good grief, opportunity may never knock again. The only problem now is those blasted buttons! Anybody with a good eye know if they're black or dark brown. They look like leather but also handpainted, because I've never seen buttons that color before, and my grandmother collects them!

Tell me what you think about the fabric? Is it a close enough match or should I continue my long search? I would really like to know your opinions.

neroon15 said:

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Everyone. I just hit a jackpot! I've found the closest looking fabric I've ever been able to find in the United States to the original coat fabric. Whew!!!! It's gonna wipe me out with it being 14.99 a yard, but good grief, opportunity may never knock again. The only problem now is those blasted buttons! Anybody with a good eye know if they're black or dark brown. They look like leather but also handpainted, because I've never seen buttons that color before, and my grandmother collects them!

Tell me what you think about the fabric? Is it a close enough match or should I continue my long search? I would really like to know your opinions.

It's hard to be sure in a swirl, but he fabric could be a winner.

The buttons are plastic or resin, very dark brown...almost black, with a tan cross and trim.

I managed to find another picture of it. It's the fabric in the corner. I'm so excited. I was just wondering how this fabric matched up to the original. I'm sure there are some differences but I just wondered if anyone thought it was off or not.

Also thanks for the description of the buttons, RayR!!!

B black and sons in LA currently have some buttons that are like 1/2 scale Sherlock buttons, just with black "stitching" around the edge instead of gold. I asked and unfortunately they don't have any larger ones. It's Lao a little unfortunate because there's a Doctor Who coat with nearly identical buttons.

neroon15 said:

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Everyone. I just hit a jackpot! I've found the closest looking fabric I've ever been able to find in the United States to the original coat fabric. Whew!!!! It's gonna wipe me out with it being 14.99 a yard, but good grief, opportunity may never knock again. The only problem now is those blasted buttons! Anybody with a good eye know if they're black or dark brown. They look like leather but also handpainted, because I've never seen buttons that color before, and my grandmother collects them!

Tell me what you think about the fabric? Is it a close enough match or should I continue my long search? I would really like to know your opinions.

I don't know for certain about the wool because of the image, ask ray. Regarding the buttons, I will be using plastic replica's of the buttons, then at a latter date maybe get a leatherworker to make some for me.

The button's

My coat's progress on my blog

Wool I may be using

the buttons, dark brown leather with gold detailing. the second and third picture shows the colour more (third pic sourced from RayR)

neroon15 said:

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I managed to find another picture of it. It's the fabric in the corner. I'm so excited. I was just wondering how this fabric matched up to the original. I'm sure there are some differences but I just wondered if anyone thought it was off or not.

Also thanks for the description of the buttons, RayR!!!

I held mine up next to the photo. That material is almost spot on. I would certainly go with that unless I could get the actual manufacturer material. Very nice!

shoooter517 said:

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I don't know for certain about the wool because of the image, ask ray. Regarding the buttons, I will be using plastic replica's of the buttons, then at a latter date maybe get a leatherworker to make some for me.

The button's

My coat's progress on my blog

Wool I may be using

the buttons, dark brown leather with gold detailing. the second and third picture shows the color more (third pic sourced from RayR)

Those buttons are quite close except for the color being more milk chocolate while the originals are a very dark chocolate (almost black) FYI the buttons are PLASTIC and just resemble leather. They are 1" diameter. There are smaller, otherwise identical buttons around the inside of the collar used to attach the fur piece.

Ray, is there any chance you would be wiling to remove a button from your coat for molding? If you sent it to me I could make a mold and I'd be happy to pay you for shipping and whatever fee a tailor charges you to reattach the button (if you choose not to do it yourself) when I return it to you. I could then make perfect copies for anyone who wants them.N please let me know.

Risu said:

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Ray, is there any chance you would be wiling to remove a button from your coat for molding? If you sent it to me I could make a mold and I'd be happy to pay you for shipping and whatever fee a tailor charges you to reattach the button (if you choose not to do it yourself) when I return it to you. I could then make perfect copies for anyone who wants them.N please let me know.

Sorry, never gonna happen. why don't you ask Abby Shot or Cozplay where you can get replacement buttons. Perhaps they sell them or can direct you.

Risu said:

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Ray, is there any chance you would be wiling to remove a button from your coat for molding? If you sent it to me I could make a mold and I'd be happy to pay you for shipping and whatever fee a tailor charges you to reattach the button (if you choose not to do it yourself) when I return it to you. I could then make perfect copies for anyone who wants them.N please let me know.

It would be awesome if you could get some buttons made exactly like that!!! Let me know if you can and how much when you find someone who can? I've searched alot of places that would have those sort of buttons. I absolutely love your buttons you found in Germany. Unfortunately there are only 5 buttons left and I'll need at least 10 and they don't ship to America. Shame.

For 7 yards, $104 dollars. For a college student, that is a big deduction. In any case, is the lining in the coat silk or satin, or something else? And how does the collar pop like that. Is there an extra piece of material or lining in it to get it to stand like that? Thanks for the info and good luck.

neroon15 said:

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It would be awesome if you could get some buttons made exactly like that!!! Let me know if you can and how much when you find someone who can? I've searched alot of places that would have those sort of buttons. I absolutely love your buttons you found in Germany. Unfortunately there are only 5 buttons left and I'll need at least 10 and they don't ship to America. Shame.

For 7 yards, $104 dollars. For a college student, that is a big deduction. In any case, is the lining in the coat silk or satin, or something else? And how does the collar pop like that. Is there an extra piece of material or lining in it to get it to stand like that? Thanks for the info and good luck.

I would have to guess it's satin because silk is very delicate and this seems a bit more sturdy.

As for the collar, there is nothing unusual. Notice in photos when it is up he may have a scarf on, which makes it stand better. Or, he may have the front flap tucked a bit tighter (as if there were a higher button) which also helps. The collar stands pretty well on one side but not the other unless it is one of those circumstances. It does not stand well with the jacket open. If you see it like that, it is probably a posed shot.

Also, If you are counting only the full sized buttons, there are 8. 6 in front & 2 on the belt.

neroon15 said:

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It would be awesome if you could get some buttons made exactly like that!!! Let me know if you can and how much when you find someone who can? I've searched alot of places that would have those sort of buttons. I absolutely love your buttons you found in Germany. Unfortunately there are only 5 buttons left and I'll need at least 10 and they don't ship to America. Shame.

For 7 yards, $104 dollars. For a college student, that is a big deduction. In any case, is the lining in the coat silk or satin, or something else? And how does the collar pop like that. Is there an extra piece of material or lining in it to get it to stand like that? Thanks for the info and good luck.

Interfacing is what makes the collar stiffen slightly, it also keeps the label and body of the coat in shape

Thanks for the great input! I think I found two somethings that might work! I'll have to put the cross and braid on by myself but these are the only buttons I've found that I actually like. What do you think? I found a brown and a black. They are 1 inch diameter.
If neither work, let me here your opinion. I love criticism. It makes the process a lot better.

Let me know when you do! I believe I will be interested.

Neither of the ones you mention on that website are the right weave for the Sherlock coat.

It's proving a real nuisance to find anything appropriate in coat weight. Even a dark houndstooth like the one used for that wonderful "A Study in Coat" blog seems impossible for me to track down.

RayR, I just wanted to say you're a really awesome guy to answer all these questions about the coat.

I'm totally tempted to figure out how to make myself a version. It's impossible I'd ever find a good match otherwise - I'm five feet tall

Wow, that Alfatex tweed looks really good! The price may even be competitive with what cosplaysky wants for theirs, and it might even be higher quality. I'll have to check that site out when I get home.

As for the buttons, those won't be a problem. I've done enough molding and casting that I can say for sure that I won't have any problems.

the place I posted about earlier is based in london and are sending me a swatch of their "pure 100% Irish tweed wool" it's UK made, so there's a very ,very small possibility that it's the original supplier. (I read somewhere that the wool was UK sourced)

I will upload pictures in various lighting conditions when it comes.

Shooter, have you seen any pics of the black wool? Those ones on the site you linked don't really look anything like Sherlock's. In fact, they look kind of like burlap.

I read on your blog that the Alfatex wool is out of stock now.
BAH! Why do I have to live in Australia, where winter arrives just as the rest of the world stops selling their coat wool. Sigh.

I'm going to call Alfatex later today and ask about that tweed and when/if they are going to re-stock it.
I take it that it looks like a pretty good match to you, as well