Affixing patches to brown leather flight jacket

[phrogdriver]

I gotta' hand it to you -- that was funny.

So then ... we're 'good' on the birthday card ???

Definitely.

 

[Godspeed]

I went with the flag and nametag patches from Tipsy Gypsy... Quality work and great customer service. Received them a couple days ago... Anyone have somebody they'd recommend in the Whidbey area to do the sewing? If not I'll start calling around tailors/leather shops...

 

[BourneID]

How about any recommendations for someone to sew them in the JAX area

 

[xj220]

I went with the flag and nametag patches from Tipsy Gypsy... Quality work and great customer service. Received them a couple days ago... Anyone have somebody they'd recommend in the Whidbey area to do the sewing? If not I'll start calling around tailors/leather shops...

Believe it or not, the little NEX at the food court does a decent job. Just had the flag and nametag put on on there and have no complaints. Make sure you let them know to pull back the lining when they do it. It's a little more expensive (a couple dollars), but well worth it I think. I have a P-3 patch that I'm probably going to get put on my right shoulder, too. I've seen all different configurations of patches here. Some have nothing, just the name tag, name tag and flag, to everything. It really varies.

 

[nittany03]

I went with the flag and nametag patches from Tipsy Gypsy... Quality work and great customer service. Received them a couple days ago... Anyone have somebody they'd recommend in the Whidbey area to do the sewing? If not I'll start calling around tailors/leather shops...

Nope but if you get a good one, post or shoot me a PM; I'll be in the market once my new jacket comes in . . .

 

[Renegade One]

Does anybody have any recommendations on shops in the SanDiego area for getting my leather sewn up? Oh, and in keeping with the thread I just have the typsy name patch. No other bling.

San Diego Leather Jacket Factory...340 National City Blvd, National City. While you wait, cheap, and excellent work.
Cheers, Spike

 

[HeyJoe]

This is one thing the Air Force got right...

Ditto, but they are other things they got right. Give me a minute and I'll come up with a few. Make that two minutes....heck, gotta do some research. Ascots...nah! Stars equating to hours and combat time on wrists of flightsuits....nah! This is hard! I'll be back later....

 

[BACONATOR]

Just got some patches from Tipsy Gipsy for my leather.

Does anyone know the exact regulations on how to affix patches to the brown leather flight jacket? Uniform Regs Ch. 6 says you can either use hook and loop (velcro) or have it sewn on, but should I just sort of eyeball where to place the patch on the left breast?

And I've got an American flag patch for the shoulder as well. Apparently it's not officially allowed.

Here's what regs say:

(a) Brown Jacket Insignia/Patches.
Insignia/patches shall be worn on brown leather flight
jackets as follows:

(1) Attachments. Logos may be
affixed either hook and pile or directly to the jacket.
Hook and pile fasteners will be black or brown and cut
to the shape of the logo to be affixed.

(2) Left Breast. Black or brown
2 inches by 4 inches leather name tag. Centered in the
top field will be the aircrew designation insignia
(i.e., pilot, NFO aircrew EAWS, etc.). The name in
block letters will occupy the lower field and will
include a minimum first name or initial and last name.
Where appropriate, billet title (ie., CO, XO, CAG, etc.)
is optional.

(3) Optional Logos. One command
patch may be worn over the right breast pocket. Maximum
width may not exceed 4-1/2 inches. No other patches are
authorized.

And on a side note... what do you guys consider "brief stops" to and from work when wearing a flight suit? Obv a gas station, but what about the post office or something to that degree?

Honestly? Without attaching pictures of my own jacket again and having people think I'm attempting to "show off" or whatever nonsense, allow me to recommend taking it to a motorcycle shop that has a large jacket selection with a leather tailoring department. I took mine to a harley shop in SD and they just put it on where it looked proper, marked it with soap and 15 minutes later, it was done. It worked out great for the namepatch, however I recommend that you put on the jacket and they mark the national ensign when the jacket is on you since mine is angled when I'm wearing the jacket, despite it looking straight with the jacket off.

Short answer: eyeball it.

 

[BusyBee604]

Jacket Repair

San Diego Leather Jacket Factory...340 National City Blvd, National City. While you wait, cheap, and excellent work.
Cheers, Spike

Great tip Renegade! I had a jammed zipper on my leather FJ...took it in this AM expecting a complete zip replacement with estimated 3-day wait. They took it in the back for 10 minutes, came back good to go. Turns out the zip was OK. He replaced the little "thingy'' that feeds the zipper together, dry lubed & now it works better than new! Total cost $12!

Impressive place, just off the I-5. I highly recommend.:icon_mi_6
BzB

 

[Renegade One]

Great tip Renegade! ...

Hey, what's a bruddah for? Glad you were satisfied.

 

[MIDNJAC]

So do most of you gents have rank on your nametags (talking to folks with nice sewn on typsy gypsy patches here), or is it okay to just do first and last name? Just seems silly to get a nice nametag sewn on, and then have to replace it every time you promote.

 

[incubus852]

I just got my wings and my name below it. Nothing else. No rank, no USN, nothing. It looks just fine. Except I took it to the tailor I use and she dorked up the placement royally.

 

[SynixMan]

So do most of you gents have rank on your nametags (talking to folks with nice sewn on typsy gypsy patches here), or is it okay to just do first and last name? Just seems silly to get a nice nametag sewn on, and then have to replace it every time you promote.

I think I've read the whole jacket thread about 3 times through (nerd alert) researching this. Consensus seems to be either do no rank, or velcro and keep rank updated. Sewing the leather actually punches holes in it (vice nomex/cloth which just pushes the threads to the side), so you don't want to be doing it over and over. It would hurt the jacket.

 

[A4sForever]

.... Consensus seems to be either do no rank, or velcro and keep rank updated...

Someone's got it right ....

OR ... just get a nylon/nomex for your patches and keep the leather relatively 'pristine' ... at least nothing that will need to be updated.

OR ... get two leathers ...

OR ... get multiple nylon/nomex's ...

OR ...

 

[BusyBee604]

New Navy

I just got my wings and my name below it. Nothing else. No rank, no USN, nothing. It looks just fine. Except I took it to the tailor I use and she dorked up the placement royally.

I guess today you get to pretty much do what you feel like. During my 22 years in the dinosaur age, it was gold wings on top, first/last name w/nickname in the center-optional, rank & USN/USNR. Many of our cherished Naval traditions have died or changed, sooo what's new? In the ol' days - UNIFORM = SAME!:ghost_125
If the "cost" of a nametag is your main concern, send me an e-mail and I'll buy you a new one every promotion until you retire. Promotions cost a lot more than a measly nametag as you will find out.
BzB