Moving unsealed patch pockets

[abrocketsfan]

I'm looking at a particular sportcoat which appears to have the correct shoulder/chest/waist measurements, but my main concern is that it may be 1" or 1.5" too long for me. Here it is:

Given the positioning of the buttons, I think I can safely remove 0.75"-1.5" from the bottom, but I believe I would have to move these pockets up the same amount. Can this be done with unsealed patch pockets? I have no clue what the tailoring requirements or possibilities are when dealing with unsealed patch pockets. Also, the sleeves are 26", which make them a good 2" too long. Is there a simple way to retain the working buttonholes on the sleeves when they are shortened? Thanks again!

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by abrocketsfan

Can this be done with unsealed patch pockets? I have no clue what the tailoring requirements or possibilities are when dealing with unsealed patch pockets.
The light stitching which seals the pockets shut are the least of your problems. Can the pockets be raised without leaving a trail? *dice rolling*

Sir, please step away from the jacket!

 

[DocHolliday]

If the sleeve buttons are cut through, your only option will be to shorten from the shoulder. That's a pricey and often treacherous proposition. Two inches seems like a lot to shorten from the shoulder, but I'm not a tailor, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

Before you consider moving the pockets, I'd check to make sure the cloth underneath matches the rest of the coat. If the coat's been on display, particularly in sun, there could be a difference in shade.

Personally, I would not consider such extensive alterations.

Hopefully A Tailor will come along.

 

[Manton]

1) 1.5" is a hell of a lot to take off the length of a jacket. Are you sure it fits in other respects?

2) Even if it does fit, shortening by that much is going to throw all the other proportions out of whack.

3) You CAN move the pockets up. Will the stitching to reattach them be done as well as the stitching from the maker? Maybe not. The trail that might get left where the original stitch is picked out can be disappeared by a reweaver, but this will be expensive.

4) If the sleeve buttonholes are cut, there is a long answer for how to deal with that. The short answer is, you are likely screwed.

 

[a tailor]

the sleeves will have to be shortened from the top.
given the very high button positions 1 1/2" shortening would likely work out fine. moving the pockets would be ok. but the impression of the pockets being pressed may show after the pockets move. wool is somewhat forgiving in that respect. but your tailor will have to give you an opinion.