DIY: How To Add Your Own Watchviewer
Posted on January 26, 2008
Filed Under Feature: DIY, C.P. Company, Jackets and Shoulderpieces
Been on the fence about modifying my SPW garments. But I figure if it looks good, why not… So finally took the plunge and had a watchviewer put on. Click below to see the step by step instructions.
My local tailor was nice enough to let me document the process so below you will find the steps to add a watchviewer to your mille. This is not for the feint of heart, and needless to say you can end up with a mille with just a big hole in the sleeve. So read the instruction carefully before you or have a local tailor attempt this.
Things you will need:
- Watch Viewer ( Best to have one that is not to dark)
- Spool of Elastic Thread
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
- Tailor’s Chalk
- Piece of Pattern Paper or Cardstock
Important: If you are having a tailor do this for you, don’t leave your garment, stay there and have it done while you watch. Before you or your tailor attempt this, try this out on scrap pieces of fabric at least 4 times. Also purchase the elastic thread before you go to the tailor. This can be bought at any local sewing supplies or fabric store.
If you do not have another watchviewer to measure, a good distance for the bottom of the hole to the bottom of the sleeve is 2″.
1. First you will need to measure the distance you want the watchviewer to the bottom of the sleeve. You will see the distance is 1.75″.
2. Next remove the watch viewer and measure the distance from the bottom of the hole to the bottom of the cuff. You will see that the distance is 2″.
Do not use a pen or pencil to mark your garment, use tailor’s chalk.
3. You will now need to mark the spot for the bottom of the hole for the watchviewer. Fold the sleeve in half so you can find the center of the front of the sleeve.
4. Make a mark with the tailor’s chalk to show the center of the sleeve and a mark 2″ up from the bottom of the cuff.
The diameter of the watchviewer is 2.5″ so the hole will need to be 2″. You want the hole to be smaller than the watchviewer.
5. Trace around the watchviewer on stiff paper.
6. Than find an object about .5″ smaller in diameter and trace that inside the circle.
Important! The circle pattern must be 2″ wide.
7. Cut out the circle pattern for the hole.
8. Double check your work. Measure the circle and make sure that it is 2″.
Be sure to press firmly on the pattern so it doesn’t move when you trace it.
9. Place the bottom of the paper circle on the mark on the sleeve.
10. Trace the circle with the tailor’s chalk.
Now take a deep breath and make sure you still want to go through with this. There is no turning back from beyond this point!
11. Now place the watchviewer over the drawn circle. You should be able to see the whole circle inside the watchviewer lens. Check to be sure you like the placement.
Do not try to cut the the whole circle out with the fabric folded! Just fold so you can make the first snip.
12. Now you will want to cut a hole in the fabric. You will want to cut the hole about .25″ smaller than the circle.
13. Fold the sleeve in half along the center of the circle and make the first snip. Do not try to cut the whole circle out with the sleeve folded.
Important: the current hole size will be too small. This is on purpose. You can always trim the hole to be bigger but never smaller. Go slowly.
14. Once the hole is cut, try putting the watch viewer in the hole. You will find that the hole is too small.
15. Trim the edges of the hole just enough so the watchviewer fits snuggly without wrinkling the sleeve and making the fabric pucker around the edge of the watchviewer.
Important! The elastic must be spooled from the bottom.
16. When stitching you will be using regular thread on the top and elastic thread on the bottom. If you spool the elastic from the top it will break.
17. Turn the sleeve inside out and stitch around the hole. After you are done stitching, make sure you leave plenty of extra thread at the end.
Optional if you are adding a watchviewer on a thin material, you can do one more stitch about 1/8″ bigger than the first stitched circle. Don’t use elastic thread for that one use regular for both top and bottom spools.
18. Make sure you leave at least 6″ of extra thread at the end.
19. Finally tie the the ends in a knot at least 4 times. Than trim the ends of the thread.
20. Now insert the watchviewer and presto!
Left: Without watchviewer. Right: With watchviewer.
Check out the side by side. What a difference the watchviewer makes. If you have further questions feel free to let me know.
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15 Responses to “DIY: How To Add Your Own Watchviewer”
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class
Great info Gene.
Im glad me wanting to add a wv to my multi provoked this. You should set up wv service for forum members!? Looks much better with the added wv in my opinion and now you dont have to roll up the sleeve to see what time it is. Nice one Gene
nice one mate but i wouldnt try it meself
Your wasted G should be a photographer/editor of the Street smart mag.Wouldn’t have the bottle to do it, but as you say why not !!!
very impressed but i dont think id trust myself to do it im thinking of taking mine to a tailors, but great info and advice all the same !
Very nice … wouldn’t do it would f**k my jacket … Best to leave it in my case !!
Must have taken some bottle mate. Hats off to ya.
Nice unique touch…. for now.
real great info gene
classy stuff, my bottle doesn’t crash easy, but this is a bridge too far, power to you
Wonderful DIY. Impressive work mate. Handyman for real! Kind regards from Sweden
Thanks!
Did it with my A/W 2003 MM ))
http://www.found-nyc.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/diy_wv/diy_wv_0002_3.jpg
)))))eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
on right photo:
Mikhail Boyarsky ‘Боярский’ - the Russian movie star.
In honour of him the cocktail Boyarsky is named ))
Just reading this back, quality stuff!
Anyone want to done for me? haha.