I pulled my ROTLA Indy Premium Format from the display case a few months ago to find the cuffs of the sleeves had dried out and crumbled like others. I have had the figure on display without jacket for a few months and decided I never really liked the Sideshow jacket anyhow for a number of reasons, most of which were the 'Green' hue, and the overall length.
I decided to cut up the original jacket and use it as a pattern for a home made replacement. Having had VERY limited sewing experience in the past I had no idea if it would work, but thought what's the harm. The jacket is wrecked anyhow, diminishing my overall joy in owning the piece.
After a week here are the finished results along with a few modifications I made for personal preference...
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The picture with flash is to try to show the true brown color. The leather-like material has a nice scale grain which I preferred to the original smooth green. I omitted the stormflap snaps, made the overall length 1/4" longer. I made the pockets larger, both for accuracy and to account for the added length. I also made the side straps functional for better fit and ease in putting it on. I did try to make the pocket flaps scalloped...but that was a lesson in frustration, so I opted for how Sideshow had made them, pointed.
While there are some areas I could have done a little better and could be more happy with, I no longer look at it as the ruined piece from the jacket. I am considering weathering it, and will color areas where the back of the fabric shows white such as the backs of the side-straps.
Just wanted to give some hope to those that have this piece and are saddened that it is falling apart.