Totally customised Swanndri...

[C_Claycomb]

Even if you don't like DPM, you gotta admit this is pretty cool

Can you guess what it started life as?

Complete with map pocket!

In fact, it has a LOT of pockets, nine in total, plus a two way YKK zipper, draw cord waist, and fleece lined collar and hand warmers. Map pocket will also take a GB mini. Cargo pockets have additional handwarmers behind them. No cotton cloth used anywhere, just wool and select areas of Polartec100.

This amazing bit of tailoring was done by my mum ( :notworthy ) during weekend visits spread over 18 months. Some of you who have met my mum at the Moots will know what a star she is, well, this project is just another confirmation! Ideal bushcrafter's parent! :You_Rock_

Two years ago I was given an XL DPM Bush Shirt. I wasn't wild about the style and thought it would be fairly straight forward to modify it...shorter, no hood, zip front and some pockets from the spare material. My mum thought she could do something with it, and here are the results! Bush Shirts are made with zero tailoring, so everything had to be done from scratch Not something either of us had bargained on. Many times I was heartily sorry I had initiated the project because of the headaches it caused to shape and stitch that heavy wool .

 

[GlenM]

Ooooo we wants it !! can she do any more to sell ?

 

[markheolddu]

I really love Swanni,s and that is a great custom coat

Mark

 

[bambodoggy]

Can you guess what it started life as?

Your old school blazer? ? ? Well you did ask!

 

[bushwacker bob]

Can you guess what it started life as?

Several sheep.

nice conversion job. Swandrii (plural) do suffer from a distinct lack of tayloring and groups of swani clad crafters in the rain tend to look like green cistertian monks.You'll have the benefit of pockets, a properly fire resistant, fitted garment and no one will see you cos of the camoflage.
Exellent work Mrs Claycome senior :You_Rock_

 

[Longstrider]

Now let me tell you something about this coat guys and girls....

Chris dropped by my place the other evening to collect a couple of things and showed me the jacket whilst he was here. He did NOT tell me where it had come from (other than to tell me he had been given it some time ago) or how it came into being. I had a good close look at the thing (I even tried it on) and guess what ? ... I've been searching the ruddy web ever since to see if I could find one in OG rather than cammo ! I didn't realise that his mother had made it out of a shirt! I honestly thought that it was a genuine Swanni garment that my previous searchings had failed to reveal !

Chris, you're a lucky guy with a VERY clever mum.

 

[Greg]

Thats one of those must have items, cooool ,
Big applause to your mum!!:You_Rock_

 

[OzaawaaMigiziNini]

Now let me tell you something about this coat guys and girls....

Chris dropped by my place the other evening to collect a couple of things and showed me the jacket whilst he was here. He did NOT tell me where it had come from (other than to tell me he had been given it some time ago) or how it came into being. I had a good close look at the thing (I even tried it on) and guess what ? ... I've been searching the ruddy web ever since to see if I could find one in OG rather than cammo ! I didn't realise that his mother had made it out of a shirt! I honestly thought that it was a genuine Swanni garment that my previous searchings had failed to reveal !

Chris, you're a lucky guy with a VERY clever mum.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Sorry Longstrider! I meant to mention its origin The closest thing you are likely to find is the Stalker Extreme.
http://www.ptarmiganclothing.com/product_detail.asp?shopby=collection&id=91

I did tell my mum to keep records so that she could sell the plans, but I think that too much wound up being done as 3D alterations. Getting the sleeves right was a pain and I doubt the pattern that we started with resembles the finished article

 

[Matt Weir]

Sorry Longstrider! I meant to mention its origin The closest thing you are likely to find is the Stalker Extreme.
http://www.ptarmiganclothing.com/product_detail.asp?shopby=collection&id=91

I did tell my mum to keep records so that she could sell the plans, but I think that too much wound up being done as 3D alterations. Getting the sleeves right was a pain and I doubt the pattern that we started with resembles the finished article

You could ask her to unpick all the stitching and create templates then restitch it back together again but I think she might strangle you with it Chris

 

[Buckshot]

The closest thing you are likely to find is the Stalker Extreme.
http://www.ptarmiganclothing.com/product_detail.asp?shopby=collection&id=91

Hasn't the Stalker got a goretex lining?
I tried one on at a Game fair a while ago and it rustled like mad becaus eof the goretex. Not ideal for a stalking coat !

I saw this coat a few weeks back - very nice.

Mark

 

[Gwhtbushcraft]

Brilliant!

 

[dommyracer]

Nice. Have you got a pic of the original shirt, before alterations?

 

[C_Claycomb]

Only the stuff I can find on the internet. We didn't take a picture of the DPM before we started.

http://www.swanndri.co.nz/default.aspx?T=2&P=4
There is a zoomable picture of a standard Bush Shirt here

 

[Lurch]

That looks fantastic, if only Swanni would make something similar!

 

[C_Claycomb]

Well, if you started with the correct size of Mosgiel it wouldn't be nearly as hard to make one very like that.

We met the UK distributors for Swanndri at a Country show over the Easter weekend and they sounded interested when we described what we did. They are getting sent some drawings. I wouldn' t hold my breath though

 

[dommyracer]

Ahh okay, so it was a lace front shirt originally? blimey, that's some transformation! Props to your mum!

Were the pockets etc. made from the fabric that was produced by the tailoring and resizing?

It would be nice if Swanndri made some tailored stuff, would be nice to wear for casual wear.

 

[Toddy]

Nice one Chris's mum It's not easy to so completely alter a finished garment and make a good job of it, so it really is impressive.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[Singeblister]

very nice

 

[C_Claycomb]

Pockets were made of hood material and cropped off tail fabric.