So you found the perfect leather jacket, but the sleeves are a little shorter than expected, and you are questioning whether or not you should get it. The decision would be so much easier if you were sure that the sleeves could be stretched or lengthened.
In this article, we will discuss whether or not leather jacket sleeves can be lengthened. We will also discuss some of the methods used to stretch leather jackets and some of the challenges. Finally, we will discuss the price you should expect to pay for stretching and lengthening the sleeves of a leather jacket and
Table of Contents
Can Leather Jacket Sleeves Be Stretched Or Lengthened?
Lengthening the sleeves of a leather jacket is something that most leather owners should avoid. Even an experienced leather artisan will tell you that attempting to lengthen a leather jacket’s sleeves is crazy for several reasons.
Leather stretches minimally over time, and some leather jacket sleeves will stretch more than others. Leather jackets sleeves created from thicker hides such as cow and buffalo stretch the least, while goat and lambskin are more flexible and stretch more.
Attempting to lengthen the sleeves with do-it-yourself (DIY) methods that require wetting usually results in the leather jacket shrinking and conforming to the body. The shrinking occurs as a result of the loss of moisture that naturally occurs as the leather dries. Re-conditioning the leather softens it, but it’s usually less than a ½ size increase if any stretching occurs. Additionally, some stretching remedies could potentially ruin the leather jacket.
Stretching a leather jacket can be done, but it is a lot more difficult than the common question of “can a leather jacket be shortened?”. Getting the leather jacket sleeves lengthened professionally is the best option, but it’s an extensive process.
Let’s dig into some more information to see if stretching your leather jacket sleeves is something you want to do.
Can I Lengthen My Leather Jacket Sleeves By Myself?
Lengthening just the sleeves of a leather jacket on your own is extremely challenging and should be left for the professional. There are several successful DIY instructions for stretching leather jackets. However, the different grades of leather, types of leather, and techniques must be similar to those presented in the instruction to get the desired results. Additionally, most DIY instructions for stretching leather jackets are geared toward stretching the entire jacket and not just the sleeves. The lack of focus on the sleeves in the stretching procedures leads to unpredictable results.
Can My Leather Jacket Sleeves Be Lengthened By a Professional?
A leather professional can increase a leather jacket’s sleeve length by replacing the sleeves or adding an elbow joint extension. However, sleeve lengthening is dependent on obtaining a compatible piece of leather for the job. Both methods require special tools, skills, and creativity, and this will result in a high price.
Finding Compatible Leather
Lengthening the sleeves of a leather jacket will require the attachment of pieces of leather. A leather artisan will need to find a selection of leather with a compatible weight, texture, and color to complete the sleeve extension. Finding a compatible piece of leather may be extremely difficult for vintage leather jackets. It is also difficult to match jackets that have developed patinas and special characteristics from wear and tear. If the leather matching is not done properly, it will be very easy to see that the leather jacket was altered.
Replacing the Sleeves
Once the leather artisan has found a matching piece, they will need to correctly attach it to the jacket. One method of increasing the sleeves of a leather jacket involves completely removing the sleeves and replacing them with another sleeve set. Changing the sleeves is not the primary concern, it’s finding the sleeves.
Finding a new pair of leather sleeves to attach to a jacket is not as tricky for newer styles. Many companies would alter the leather jacket for a fee if you purchased it from them initially.
For older and vintage jackets finding a new pair of sleeves is extremely difficult. Some of the original flight jackets such as the A2, and B1 models have gone through an aging process and developed unique colors, patterns, and markings that cant be imitated by any other leather.
Adding Extension to the Leather Sleeve
I have mentioned how difficult it can be to find matching leather pieces. Still, a creative leather artisan can develop unique solutions for attaching leather pieces so that adjusted sleeves look like they were part of the original design.
One leather artisan was tasked with increasing the length of some sleeves, and he obtained a piece of cowhide and attached it to the lower sleeve at a slight angle to the upper part of the leather sleeve. The new sleeve was completely functional, and any stiffness was unnoticeable. The owner stated that the new sleeves felt better than the originals.
How Long Does Professional Leather Jacket Sleeves Lengthening Take?
| Local Leather Artisan | Non-Local Leather Artisan | |
| Initial Meeting | 1 day | 1 day |
| Body Measurements | 0-1 day | 1-2 days |
| Plan of Action | 3-5 days | 3-5 days |
| Shipment | 0-1 days | 7-30 days |
| Leather Jacket Modifications | 3-21 days | 3-21 days |
| Return Shipment | 0-1 days | 7-30 days |
| Time for Com | 6 – 29 day | 21 – 68 days |
The leather artisan will need to have an initial meeting with the owner to discuss the desired changes of the leather jacket sleeves. If the leather artisan is local, the measurements can be done on the same day of the meeting. Otherwise the owner will need to take pictures or complete a video conference call and this could add an additional day or two.
After the discussion and measurements are taken, the artisan will need time to develop a preliminary plan of action to lengthen the leather jacket sleeves, and those will need to be communicated to the owner. The amount of time for this step varies with the skill level and the amount of available time the artisan has to dedicate toward your jacket.
If the leather jacket needs to be shipped, it will require an additional 2-3 weeks. Upon receipt of the leather jacket, the artisan will need time to complete the job. Job completion is dependent on the skill of the leather artisan and the availability of the materials. Unavailable materials will require more time. Expect anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks.
After completing the job, the leather jacket will need to be picked up or shipped. Expect the same amount of time required to ship the package.
If I have done my calculations correctly, the total time for job completion is approximately one week to a month and about three weeks to 2.5 months if the jacket has to be shipped.
These are only rough estimates, but I believe that it’s better to have an idea of the time frame rather than go into this blindly. There is a significant decrease in time if you work with a shop specializing in making alterations compared to an individual artisan. Be sure to check with your desire to get a more accurate timeframe for your area of residence. For a more accurate time frame, be sure to contact the leather artisan or shop
How Much Does It Cost To Get Leather Jacket Sleeves Lengthened?
The price of getting the leather sleeves varies from shop to shop, but we take a few estimates of things that we know to get a general idea of the expected cost. These prices could vary, but these are the prices that we see in my area.
- Compatible leather: $50-$100
- Alterations: $160 – $200 (4-5 hours with a rate of $30 per hour)
- Shipping $30- $60
