I have... a BROWN COAT!

POSTED BY: PhoenixRose
UPDATED: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 10:23
VIEWED: 18658
PAGE 1 of 1

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 4:55 AM (P)

*Squeal*
I drove by my local thrift store today and decided to wander in because I had some extra time on my hands, and right there in the second row of clothes I walked down there was a long, brown leather coat! It fit me so I snatched it and have been cuddling it. I have to do something about the cigarette smell; it's starting to get to me. But I have a browncoat! And somewhere on the lapel, I will find a way to put "You can't take the sky from me" and I will come up with an insignia patch for the sleeve and somehow figure out how to sew it on, and then I can wear it about and I am so excited!

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

FOLLOWMAL

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 4:57 AM (P)

Ooo, I am envious!

Enjoy that sweet thing!

"You hold. Hold 'til I get back." Mal

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 6:28 AM (P)

Oh I will, I will.
Just found a site with browncoat patches; gonna order a Serenity patch and a Browncoat insignia patch. They've got it upside-down on the site, but it's easy to sew it on right (yes, I am compulsive to detail, I did freeze the scene of tearing the patch off the luitenant, the point of the triangle does go down... Sorry)
Anyone interested in patches, here's the link I found: http://mysite.verizon.net/resp06h7/
The feedback seems to be good. I'll let y'all know if I have any issues.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

RUBE

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 1:22 PM (P)

THANKYOU, now I'm not the only one. I've been saying those things are upside down since I saw them but no-one believed me, I too watched the ep frame by frame :)
Glad you found a coat you like, good luck with it, I wear mine all the time

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 2:40 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Rube:
THANK YOU, now I'm not the only one. I've been saying those things are upside down since I saw them but no-one believed me, I too watched the ep frame by frame :)

lol, for those who don't believe us, it is exactly 55 seconds into the pilot, by my counter, that Mal tears the patch off; the officer is lying prone, so you have to look at it sideways after you freeze it.
Heeheehee is this gonna turn a few things upside-down or what?

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

GRIZWALD

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 2:57 PM (P)

The ciggy smell should air out with a few days in the fresh breeze (keep it out of direct sunlight). If it is really, really stubborn, here are some more drastic measures you can take:

1. The Newspaper Method. Take several sections of newspaper and separate the sheets. Crumple them loosely. Pack them loosely inside the sleeves of the jacket, inside the body of the jacket (button it so they sort of stay in there), then put the jacket in a large plastic garbage bag and loosely pack still more crumpled newspaper around the jacket so that it's completely surrounded by newspapers. (It's best if the leather doesn't actually touch the plastic bag anywhere, but not a huge deal anyway.) Seal the bag with a twist-tie. Put it away somewhere for about a week. Get it out, take all the newspapers out (they will stink horribly by this point) and recycle them, then shake out your jacket and see if it has improved. It may take a couple of treatments to get it completely de-stunk. (Use fresh newspapers each time.)

2. The Kitty Litter Method. And no, I'm not kidding. But this method uses a lot of kitty litter and is messy, so only use it as an absolute last resort. Put the jacket in a big 5-gallon plastic bucket and dump a lot of (unused) kitty litter in there with it. Mix things around so that there is kitty litter everywhere around and inside the jacket. Seal it up for a week or two. Take out the jacket and shake it out, then wipe it with a damp cloth to take all the dust off. Shake it a few more times. Dust it again. (It's really messy.) See how it smells.

If it still stinks after this, then your best bet is to take up smoking.

Whatever you do, no spraying it with Febreeze, okay? That stuff is nasty.

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 3:03 PM (P)

lol, thank you much for the suggestions! I do not like febreeze either, so I wasn't going to use that. I did put a few dabs of cedar oil on the lining (which is the part that stinks) and hung it in my open garage. It already smells better! If that doesn't overcome the stinkage, I will try the newspapers (wouldn't have thought of that). Don't think I'll have to resort to kitty litter. Or smoking.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

GRIZWALD

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 3:04 PM (P)

Oh, and one more thing, re. the patches:

My husband has an A2 jacket from the Air Force. He loves to switch out his patches, so he had Velcro sewed onto the jacket where the patches go, with the fuzzy side on the jacket and the hooky side on the patches. If you think you'll want to switch them out, that's a good way to do it. You can do it yourself or you can take it to a tailor but they'll do basically the same thing, only probably with a better sewing machine. Whatever you do, you'll be changing the coat permanently, but hey, you're a Browncoat, right? Browncoats are forever.

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

GRIZWALD

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 3:06 PM (P)

My Browncoat smelled of moth balls, and Mr. Grizwald claims to be allergic to them (not sure if that is possible, anyway he hates the smell). I cleaned it with saddle soap and then oiled it with mink oil (it was kind of stiff from storage and needed it anyway). So now it smells like a mink that's been sleeping on a bed of moth balls. Oh well.

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

ZZETTA13

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 3:10 PM (P)

PR,

That smell is just hot gas and engine lube odor.

But really congrads

Z

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 3:16 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Grizwald:
Oh, and one more thing, re. the patches:

My husband has an A2 jacket from the Air Force. He loves to switch out his patches, so he had Velcro sewed onto the jacket where the patches go, with the fuzzy side on the jacket and the hooky side on the patches. If you think you'll want to switch them out, that's a good way to do it. You can do it yourself or you can take it to a tailor but they'll do basically the same thing, only probably with a better sewing machine. Whatever you do, you'll be changing the coat permanently, but hey, you're a Browncoat, right? Browncoats are forever.

No changing them out for me! I know right where they're gonna go. Sewing them might be a problem, though. Could be I'll find some upholstry glue and stick them on; save my fingers from the slings and arrows of sewing leather. Hey, I've done it before. It hurts! And I wouldn't trust any non-browncoat tailor to do it for me, so you know...

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

OURMRSWASHBURNE

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 7:36 PM (P)

I have one too! I got mine randomly on e(vil)bay... it's suede and shiny!!

I'm putting a Lyndono patch on it very soon... and an Independents flag :)

SIMONB

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 7:45 PM (P)

I got me a suede Browncoat this weekend too (a birthday gift!) I wear it with pride now!

- Shiny. Let's be bad guys.

That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die

GRIZWALD

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 8:00 PM (P)

Okay, now, let's see some photos of these shiny coats!

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

SIMONB

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 8:05 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Grizwald:
Okay, now, let's see some photos of these shiny coats!

If I had a photo, I'd post it...but I don't yet (nor do I have a digital camera, so that makes life so much harder....)

- Shiny. Let's be bad guys.

That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 2:47 AM (P)

Oooooh, suede. Mine's smooth leather. I think it's a little easier to care for, but not as fuzzy
Once my patches come I will see about posting a picture. Not sure where the family camera got to...

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:44 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Grizwald:
My Browncoat smelled of moth balls, and Mr. Grizwald claims to be allergic to them (not sure if that is possible, anyway he hates the smell). I cleaned it with saddle soap and then oiled it with mink oil (it was kind of stiff from storage and needed it anyway). So now it smells like a mink that's been sleeping on a bed of moth balls. Oh well.

Oh, that's too bad! I have to agree with you Mr Grizwald on the subject of mothballs, though. They smell terrible, and they're so loaded with chemicals they make my nose all runny.
Have you tried... cedar? It's working very well for me. It's a powerful scent; supposed to repell moths just as well as mothballs, actually! So it might be able to overcome that smell. If you could find a cedar chest to lock it in, the wood might absorb some of the chemical nastiness, too.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

GRIZWALD

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 11:12 AM (P)

Well, I'm going to look for that cedar oil you mentioned, but I don't think I'll put it in a cedar chest. My mom put something mothball-y in a cedar chest once and the mothballs overpowered the cedar, and now the cedar chest smells of mothballs, and so does anything she puts in there. grrrr!

Where does one find cedar oil for sale?

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 11:34 AM (P)

Oh my! Well, good to know about cedar chests and mothballs... Moth balls should be banned!
Anyway, cedar oil should be sold anyplace that carries natural products. Health food stores, holistic stores, exotic gift stores; really anyplace likely to carry oil burners. Probably available online too, somewhere. My preffered brand (at least for cedar oil) is Now, and their website is www.nowfoods.com not sure if you can order from the site, but they should have a list of stores that carry them, which should also carry various other brands.
I've read several suggestions online for removing the stench of mothballs. One was to hang the clothing in fresh air for several days, bringing it in at night. Another suggested baking soda, though they said to mix it with wash water, so that wouldn't work on leather, but maybe if you just sprinkled it and packed it in plastic, kind of like the newspaper trick... not sure about that, but baking soda is supposed to absorb smell. You might also want to try getting it dry cleaned; maybe they know how to get out the chemicals, which you want to try to do in any case. They are nasty.
Good luck!

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

GRIZWALD

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 12:01 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:
Anyway, cedar oil should be sold anyplace that carries natural products...

Thank you, PhoenixRose!

I still wanna see a picture!

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 2:16 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Grizwald:

I still wanna see a picture!

Well, it could be a couple weeks before I get my patches. I suppose I could take one patch-free, assuming I can find the camera. I'll see what I can do, but it might be a short wait.
What about you? Do we get pictures of your mothbally coat?

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

GRIZWALD

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 2:31 PM (P)

It's actually a handmade vintage East West Musical Instruments jacket custom made for a rather small man, but it fits me like a dream. The original owner's son sold it to me on eBay. He said his dad had it made as a Confederate cavalryman's riding coat (he was a reenactor). Nothing was said in the auction about it being from EWMI so that was an absolute surprise when I found the tag inside! If I take good care of it, it'll last forever. It's unlined and has that high riding slit at the back. I love it.

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 2:45 PM (P)

Ooooooooh shiny! That is a very pretty coat!

*checks label of her coat*
Mine is Global Identity Leather. Heh, that's funny. Different shade of brown than yours; there's less red in mine. Can't judge the length, but they're probably about the same; maybe a little longer for mine. It comes down midcalf on me. Has a slit in back too, which is part of why I thought it was so perfect.
Now I've really gotta get a picture to share up here!
Anyone else? This can be a place to share coat pictures! (God we are the only people in the 'verse who would find that exciting...)

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 3:54 PM (P)

Okay, okay so I found the camera and asked my mom to take some pics and I posted it under my blue sun items...
http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=10161
Anyone know how I can get pictures to just show up here? I am showing my technical ignorance...
*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

FLECHETTE

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 4:20 PM (P)

I've kept this advice column for a while for just such a thing - mothballs and cedar chests...

I’d like to wring the neck of the guy who invented mothballs in the first place. Who told him mothballs smelled good? As for your problem, it’s a tough one for sure. But here’s what I want you to try first (even though you’ll be sure it won’t work). Get a small bowl and pour in a good amount (at least 1/8 cup) of pure vanilla extract. Don’t mess with imitation flavoring—you want the real thing. Set the bowl in the chest and close the lid. Check after a week or so. You may be pleasantly surprised. A reader suggested this tip and I tried it in an antique I own that had reeked of that horrible old musty antique smell for at least a hundred years. It was miraculous, really. If this doesn’t take care of the mothball odor, your only recourse is to sand down all of the cedar lining with fine grit sandpaper. Vacuum away all of the dust. This will renew the cedar fragrance and should get rid of the mothball odor. If not, repeat the vanilla trick. Hang in there. I know you’ll find the solution. Just don’t give up!

It actually works - I wound up resanding 1 drawer that just wouldn't clear up but the other drawer and the rest of the chest wree wonderfully moth ball free after 2 weeks.!

Maybe it would work for Browncoats too!

________________________________________________
Flechette - Destiny's Cook

We got Crab and pig tell :Squid ink and fish scale
Okra and dasheen leaves
Chitchat and chatter :Fill up the platter
With a garnish of pure make believe
- Jimmy Buffett's Calaloo

GRIZWALD

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 4:27 PM (P)

Flechette, thanks for that. I'll also suggest it to my mother for her cedar chest.

PhoenixRose, very nice 'coat you got there!

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

MORWEN112

Thursday, May 11, 2006 2:47 AM (P)

Congrats on the coat PhoenixRose! It's quite shiny!

I hate mothballs as well. Once, in school, we had some experiment with mothballs and we had to put them in a tube in a beaker of boiling water and my friend accidently broke the tube. So we had the smell of liquid, hot mothball in the room and a few of the class (me included) had to leave the classroom and sit in the hall, it was so bad. And that's the beginning of my long standing hatred of the things.

Neat trick with the newspapers, though. I'll have to try that on an antique apron that I bought on a whim a bit ago. It doesn't smell like smoke but there's definitely a trace of "stuck in a box for 80+ years" sort of smell.

Mine is an evil sugar high laugh! Bwahahahaha!

Morwen

PHOENIXROSE

Thursday, May 11, 2006 11:32 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Morwen112:
Congrats on the coat PhoenixRose! It's quite shiny!

Thanks!

Quote:

I hate mothballs as well. Once, in school, we had some experiment with mothballs and we had to put them in a tube in a beaker of boiling water and my friend accidently broke the tube. So we had the smell of liquid, hot mothball in the room and a few of the class (me included) had to leave the classroom and sit in the hall, it was so bad. And that's the beginning of my long standing hatred of the things.

That sounds like about the nastinest thing possible. I'm almost amazed such an experiment was allowed considering how very, very nasty mothball chemicals are. Yeeks!

Quote:

..there's definitely a trace of "stuck in a box for 80+ years" sort of smell.

I know that smell. My grandma's whole house smelled like that. Except her big cedar chest. And the basement, which smelled like mildew. Hope newspaper gets rid of it!

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

PHOENIXROSE

Friday, May 12, 2006 10:44 AM (P)

So I'm wonderin'... Anyone know of some kinda really great leather glue I could use to put patches on this beauty? Trying to get a needle through it is just not working well. Owie. Just thought I'd try before the patches got here, so I could plan accordingly. I thought it might come to gluing them, but I don't want them to come off!! Anybody have suggestions?

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

CRACKERS

Friday, May 12, 2006 11:04 AM (P)

I know this reply is late but I only have one word for you - SHINY!

Oh' and bout the ciggy smell just hang it on a line outside for a day or so and and let the fresh air get to it. Other than that cuddle away and I'm so proud of you.

Being CRACKERS provides sanity in an insane world!

EDNEMO

Friday, May 12, 2006 12:57 PM (P)

I figure you guys might get a kick out of this:

http://www.abbyshot.com/products/ps-firefly-browncoat.php?PHPSESSID=21
773b374db31c41128056416227aa97

GRIZWALD

Friday, May 12, 2006 1:00 PM (P)

Yep... It's on my Annoyingly Long List. But it's cheaper to find another coat and turn it into a Browncoat.

I also have a duster pattern. If I ever lay my hands on enough hide to make it, I might try making one from scratch.

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

PHOENIXROSE

Friday, May 12, 2006 2:24 PM (P)

There is no shocked emoticon. There should be a big-eyed shocked emoticon.
$491?!?!
I mean, it's shiny as a new star, I would love to own such a coat, but who has extra money like that lying around? I have to say, I'm glad I found mine thrift for $20, and I'm certainly going to classify it as "damn well close enough" and... not... um... lust after a genuine replica..... *drool*
Really, though, I think those huge cuffs would look a bit strange on my smallish wrists. Yeah, that's the ticket.

I love my coat! I wouldn't replace it! But now I want both...

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

RMMC

Friday, May 12, 2006 8:53 PM (P)

Congrats on your browncoat!

For the heck of it, I went to a few local thrift stores here. I found several long leather coats. Black.

*sigh*

****
RMMC

GRIZWALD

Friday, May 12, 2006 9:10 PM (P)

That's OK, you'll just have to play Neo. Or Trinity. Depending on your persuasion.

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

RMMC

Friday, May 12, 2006 9:38 PM (P)

Naw...they wasn't brown so I left 'em there. I got a few more stores to check on the morrow.

And I still got my shorter brown coats, so all isn't unshiny.

*****
RMMC

PHOENIXROSE

Saturday, May 13, 2006 3:17 AM (P)

I'm sure you'll find a browncoat needing a home eventually if you keep hitting the thrift stores. Black does seem to be more common, but hey, that's what makes us special.
So hey my patches got here! Quicker than I expected, too, I'm happy. Once I get them on there might be new pictures

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

RMMC

Saturday, May 13, 2006 3:30 AM (P)

Yea!!!

Actually there was one red coat. I thought briefly of trying to dye it brown, but decided that it could only end badly.

Enjoy your coat, PR! I followed your link and it does look quite shiny.

****
RMMC

PHOENIXROSE

Saturday, May 13, 2006 11:03 AM (P)

Hmmmmm, yeah, I'm not too experienced with dying leather. Can't be easy.
I wouldn't mind a long red leather coat. It wouldn't be all shiny and Firefly-themed, but it'd be nice to have. I love red.

And thanks! It is quite shiny! Looks even better with the patches, I think. Can't wait to get some pictures of the completed project Sure glad folk aren't tired of rambling about it with me!
Hey, RMMC, do you have any shots of your short brown coats? I bet they're pretty shiny, too!

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

RMMC

Sunday, May 14, 2006 1:16 AM (P)

PR, I'm not too sure on how to dye leather, either. I can barely do material (I made some tye-dyed stuff a few years back); leather is a whole other animal.

Sadly, I do not have any piccys of my brown coats. It'd be awhile before I can take any as the weather here sucks mightily, and my apartment is too much of a disaster zone to want to take any pictures in it. (I'm spring cleaning and I've got stuff everywhere.)

I'll look foward to seeing your finished product.

****
RMMC

PHOENIXROSE

Sunday, May 14, 2006 4:36 PM (P)

My total, complete obsession continues!
My patches are on, and they are shiny. I've posted a brand new pic in my blue sun items just because I love my patches soooo much (I am, in fact, considering getting yet another one at some point in time)
Anyone interested can see new pics here:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=10272
*edited to fix weird link*

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

RMMC

Sunday, May 14, 2006 11:54 PM (P)

Hi!

The link you posted isn't working 'cause of the '?' at the end, so I'll post the link again for ya, so folks can see your shiny browncoat with its beautiful patches

http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=10272

****
RMMC

2X2

Monday, May 15, 2006 12:35 AM (P)

I too found a browncoat at the local thrift store... but it didn't fit me, just fit the hubby, so he gets to dress up for me instead *G*

Here's a couple pics of the coat in my Scrapbook:
http://pics.livejournal.com/browncoat_2x2/gallery/000067gr
My Very Own Browncoat

I have plans to make my own browncoat, starting with a mock up in canvass to get the fit and pattern right, then in deerskin once I know how much I need and how to do it... the buckles I'll either try making from steel or aluminum, or as a last resort, I'll cast them in pewter... it's a long term project though, up there with making a replica of Mal's pistol since they're impossible to find online anymore...

Anyone else tried making their own yet??

RMMC

Monday, May 15, 2006 2:00 AM (P)

Very nice. A very shiny coat.

You'll have to show us your coat when you finish it.

****
RMMC

PHOENIXROSE

Monday, May 15, 2006 8:04 AM (P)

Thanks RMMC! Shoulda tested the link...

2x2, that is a fabulous coat! It looks almost like the "genuine" replica! Congrats on finding such a shiny coat! (sounds like almost the same thing happened to both of us )

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

NIRWIN

Monday, May 15, 2006 12:54 PM (P)

Very Shiny!

I could cry, I want a brown coat as cool as everyones, that's it, im going shopping.

---
Nirwin

RMMC

Monday, May 15, 2006 7:27 PM (P)

No problem, PR. I just wanted to make sure all the folks could see your coat.

Now I gotta get one got me.

First, get cashy money...

****
RMMC

MORWEN112

Monday, May 15, 2006 9:43 PM (P)

Nirwin, I feel your pain. Problem is, there aren't many thrift stores around where I live...apparently the mall is more interesting (? ). And I don't even know where to start with making my own from scratch...I think my best bet might be eBay. Maybe I'd best make peace with my dear and fluffy lord afore I go there.

Anybody else had any luck at eBay?

Mine is an evil sugar high laugh! Bwahahahaha!

Morwen

RMMC

Monday, May 15, 2006 10:53 PM (P)

I haven't tried to look there yet. I've only just actually registered on there, figuring (correctly, it seems) that'd I'd need a 12-step program.

I'll go give it a try & let ya know what's out there. One word of warning...an item may be 'cheap'...but more often than not the shipping isn't.

****
RMMC

RMMC

Monday, May 15, 2006 11:17 PM (P)

Here we go:

http://tinyurl.com/o63en at $50.00 + shipping (to get to MI its $31 min.)

http://tinyurl.com/rbsy3 this one's a higher $150.00 + shipping but is made of buffalo hide

And this one: http://tinyurl.com/pb9fa is an affordable (at the moment) $1.00 + shipping.

****
RMMC

DALLASFIREFLY

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 2:28 AM (P)

I have a brown leather coat, but it doesn't go all the way to my knees. It also isn't the type used in Firefly. I think the style in Firefly is called a duster. I've seen some coats like those in country-western clothing stores.

I wanna be Mr. Baccarin!

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 6:39 AM (P)

OurMrsWashburne said earlier she got one on e-bay. It's probably a lot like thrift stores; right place, right time kinda thing.
Sorry to hear folk in your area think the mall is more interesting, Morwen. Does it at least have a Hot Topic with firefly shirts?

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

EMMARIGBY

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 11:08 AM (P)

Yay, I'm joining the ranks of all you 'real' browncoaters soon I hope. Currently bidding on a couple of long suede ones on e-bay (I was already an addict!).

They look good but not great and I want to improve them. I think my craft skills may just be up to adding that distressed leather cuff that is so distinctive on Mal's coat. I'd really like to replace the clunky buttons with the ultra cool metal clasps. Does anyone know if anyone has made these or if there is a closeup so I can try making them myself?

By the way, 500 dollars isn't that bad for a good Mal coat. The original went for over 12,000!

I was horribly tempted by the replica gun below, but that would involve selling my car!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Serenity-Firefly-Mals-Gun-Pistol-Gun-Prop-JOSS-WHE
DON_W0QQitemZ6629904595QQcategoryZ153QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 11:26 AM (P)

Well, I don't know if anyone makes the exact right metal clasps, since the $500 replica site says they had to go to a jeweller, but there are close-ups of the clasp there, specifically here:
abbyshot.com/products/gallerypic.php?filename=firefly-browncoat%2Fbrowncoat-13.jpg&PHPSESSID=21773b374db31c41128056416227aa97
Best of luck!
Oh, and here's a closeup of the cuffs:
abbyshot.com/products/gallerypic.php?filename=firefly-browncoat%2Fbrowncoat-21.jpg&PHPSESSID=21773b374db31c41128056416227aa97
And damn if that isn't a pretty gun replica! My, my. Yeah, I can't afford it either. Wish I could. Wish I could've afforded the original coat, too (can you imagine?) probably well worth the $12,000. I mean, come on, Nathan wore it! (I'm assuming that's what you mean by original, right?)
Hope you get your coat, Emma! Post pics when you do!
*EDIT* Sorry about the links; wouldn't let me link directly, just came out those little red x things. So course you gotta put http://www. in front of 'em.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

EMMARIGBY

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 1:17 PM (P)

Thanks for these. I think I will try making them. I could try moulded plastic or modelling clay (not sure my metalwork it up to pay. Hey, maybe I should ask Tristan! I hear he's great with metal!)

I've caught the costuming bug bad! I've found a wonderful tight leather waistcoat for just a couple of pounds and take a look at this belt/ corset. So very Zoe wouldn't you say! I love it but there's no way it would fit me. I want to share it with all the other browncoats though as it's just so shiny and someone may be thin enough for it!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-80s-brown-leather-boho-cinch-corset-wrap
-belt_W0QQitemZ8417116353QQcategoryZ38569QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 1:51 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by EmmaRigby:
Thanks for these. I think I will try making them. I could try moulded plastic or modelling clay (not sure my metalwork it up to pay. Hey, maybe I should ask Tristan! I hear he's great with metal!)

I've caught the costuming bug bad! I've found a wonderful tight leather waistcoat for just a couple of pounds and take a look at this belt/ corset. So very Zoe wouldn't you say! I love it but there's no way it would fit me. I want to share it with all the other browncoats though as it's just so shiny and someone may be thin enough for it!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-80s-brown-leather-boho-cinch-corset-wrap
-belt_W0QQitemZ8417116353QQcategoryZ38569QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Gorramit! I'm three inches too big for it! Even at my thinnest it would have barely fit me! Arg!
Is shiny though, yes

Even has Chinese characters on it! (Or are they Japanese? Can't tell. Anyway.) Maybe there's an ectomorph among us who can fit into it!

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

BABYLONIAN

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 3:26 AM (P)

As a new Browncoat, I was talking to a friend about Firefly and found out some girl at my school was not only a Firefly fan, she went with some guy to the local premiere of Serenity dressed as Kaylee and Jayne. So I ran into her in the hall, noticed she had a huge brown coat on, and said "That coat sort of has sort of a brownish hue." She looked at me confusedly, and I quickly added "I heard you went to the Serenity premiere? I just got into Firefly." Then I think she got it.

I just looked up the script for The Train Job, and maybe the reason she was so confused was because I horribly misquoted the show. The actual line was "Your coat's kind of a brownish color". Oh well, it was embarassing, but it's behind me now.

As a funny aside, I wore my new Blue Sun shirt Monday and was pretty proud of it. Up until 4th period when the friend who told me about the Firefly fangirl also told me that she has the same shirt, but in white. DAMN. FAIL.

MORWEN112

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 4:21 AM (P)

Thanks for the links, RMMC! I think they might be a bit big for me though...I'm only 5'3" and if the two cheaper ones are men's XL...

It does sort of suck about the mall craze, PheonixRose. That's really all there is to do around here if you're a "normal kid." Fortunately, I'm not counted among them so I actually appreciate having the Smithsonian museums about an hour away by car/Metro (subway)...unlike some rather annoying kids I know... to people who don't appreciate museums! I can totally understand if a museum is not interesting to somebody, but for the love of Firefly, how can someone say that museums are stupid and useless (as someone once tried to say around me)? Grrrrrrr......

Okay *deep breath* rant done...

BTW, I saw the pics of your coat and patches, PR- shiny!!

And welcome Babylonian! Don't worry about the misquote...I still haven't seen all of the show. We all start somewhere! DId you get your virtual Browncoat yet?

Mine is an evil sugar high laugh! Bwahahahaha!

Morwen

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 7:38 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Babylonian:
As a new Browncoat, I was talking to a friend about Firefly and found out some girl at my school was not only a Firefly fan, she went with some guy to the local premiere of Serenity dressed as Kaylee and Jayne. So I ran into her in the hall, noticed she had a huge brown coat on, and said "That coat sort of has sort of a brownish hue." She looked at me confusedly, and I quickly added "I heard you went to the Serenity premiere? I just got into Firefly." Then I think she got it.

I just looked up the script for The Train Job, and maybe the reason she was so confused was because I horribly misquoted the show. The actual line was "Your coat's kind of a brownish color". Oh well, it was embarassing, but it's behind me now.

As a funny aside, I wore my new Blue Sun shirt Monday and was pretty proud of it. Up until 4th period when the friend who told me about the Firefly fangirl also told me that she has the same shirt, but in white. DAMN. FAIL.

Welcome to the board!
My dad had a funny story about his Blue Sun shirt; some kid at the King Soopers said "Hey, you must be Alliance wearing that. Me, I'm a Browncoat." I thought that was so great! His response was classic, too. He said "Nah, I just got this off some guy on Boros." Cracked me up!
Y'know, I think I would ahve gotten the "brownish hue" comment. Not like you were that far off. But I've been told I'm very good at putting together references when they're just a little off. Ah well. At least you've got another browncoat around! All mine were already my close friends or family. Still waiting to randomly get into conversation about it over my coat

The people here, I swear...

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

EMMARIGBY

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 8:54 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:
Quote:
Originally posted by EmmaRigby:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-80s-brown-leather-boho-cinch-corset-wrap
-belt_W0QQitemZ8417116353QQcategoryZ38569QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Gorramit! I'm three inches too big for it! Even at my thinnest it would have barely fit me! Arg!
Is shiny though, yes Even has Chinese characters on it! (Or are they Japanese? Can't tell. Anyway.) Maybe there's an ectomorph among us who can fit into it!

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

We must be about the same size! You know what, I've been foolish enough to put a bid on it anyway! Maybe I could slim down into it or adjust it or something (yeah, right!) If not I intend to sell it at the next Firefly convention I go to. This MUST go to a Browncoat!! I think I may have a compulsive personality!

RUBE

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 10:47 AM (P)

Emmarigby
The clasps abbyshot made aren't exact replicas, I've posted some pics of the actual clasps for you - I didn't know how to post them here so they're on my blue sun page. Hope that helps. Also abbyshots cuffs aren't perfect either but - the inside of the sleeve tends to ride out- so you may want to do it a little differently but I uploaded some close up pics of their cuffs for you too.

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 10:56 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Rube:
Emmarigby
The clasps abbyshot made aren't exact replicas, I've posted some pics of the actual clasps for you - I didn't know how to post them here so they're on my blue sun page. Hope that helps. Also abbyshots cuffs aren't perfect either but - the inside of the sleeve tends to ride out- so you may want to do it a little differently but I uploaded some close up pics of their cuffs for you too.

"Finally, we stumbled upon a jeweller who specializes in custom jewellery. We spoke with him of our troubles and our objective. He became excited about the project and felt that he could deliver a buckle design that would combine the look of the show with real world practicality and functionality. The results are these fantastic original pieces."
They got it pretty close, I think. They look very similar to me, just a little less complicated. And more bronze

Thanks for posting pics for comparison, there. Shiny.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

RUBE

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 2:04 PM (P)

abbyshots buckles aren't hinged - just a strip of metal thats bent at the end. They do fasten (sort of) but they come undone if you walk about. They did a good job, they do look very similar but they aren't close to being as practical as the originals.

EMMARIGBY

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 2:18 PM (P)

My friend has commented that the hinged buckled look tricky, but I see the light of challenge come into his eyes and it is my birthday coming up so who knows!

By the way, where did you get such excellent pictures from if the clasps are not the ones from your coat. I searched all over for close ups of the original but got nothing as good as this!

EMMARIGBY

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 2:24 PM (P)

Yay! I won my auction!! I am now the proud owner of a brown coat my very own self!

I've not seen it in the flesh but it looks damn near perfect!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=9320438228&s
sPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Now I just have to pretty it up some (with the afore-mentioned buckles and cuffs) and possibly make a couple of sewn up bullet holes!

Shiny happy me!!

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 2:29 PM (P)

Oh Emma it is bee-yootiful! Did I see that winning bid right? £10.00? What a steal, girl! Congrats! I simply must see it when you are done altering and improving it!

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

EMMARIGBY

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 2:34 PM (P)

Well, I have 3 1/2 months before I can show it off to Kaylee, Simon and 'Nara (or at least the actors - see I'm not totally divorced from reality!!) so that should give me time to pretty it up some.

Oh, and to pester my friend to drawn me some Firefly sketches to get signed. Have you looked in the Blue Sun Room today? Isn't he talented?

GRIZWALD

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 2:39 PM (P)

Wow wow wow, Emma! That's a beaut of a coat, even if one were NOT a Browncoat (perish the thought).

I just blew a happy 20 minutes surfing eBay and got sidetracked on Western style jackets. This one is so gorgeous and what a price. (Not a Browncoat, just a really amazing coat.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230000236984

____________________________________________________
They could not take the sky from them -
Our Big Damn Heroes made a film!
I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
Cuz no one at Fox knew this show had no equal
C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!

Click on my profile for my Annoyingly Long List of Firefly Links.

PHOENIXROSE

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 2:40 PM (P)

You're gonna meet them? Oh envy envy! Um, give them a hug from me, or something? If that isn't allowed, at least a handshake, maybe? *wishes there were more cons in her state* And tell us all if they like the coat!

I did look in the Blue Sun Room. Very nice.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

PHOENIXROSE

Thursday, May 18, 2006 6:45 AM (P)

Hey, so someone posted this:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=244509
It's made of cotton rather than leather but it's pretty shiny and quite affordable. Thought I'd share the love.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, May 23, 2006 8:16 AM (P)

A shameless excuse to bump this old thread of mine back up...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ladies-Full-length-Real-leather-85_W0QQitemZ9321
825394QQcategoryZ11570QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This thing is gorgeous. It doesn't say it's brown, but it looks pretty brown. All shiny.

This one is also nice:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SOFT-SPANISH-LEATHER-LADYS-COAT-SIZE12-FASHIONABLE
_W0QQitemZ8420646126QQcategoryZ103327QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What? What are ya'll lookin at? I like my thread.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

EMMARIGBY

Tuesday, May 23, 2006 10:07 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:

What? What are ya'll lookin at? I like my thread.

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

I like your thread too!

I've been waiting with baited breath for the post every moning but my lovely new coat hasn't arrived yet!

I have bought some cool brown boots to go with it though!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7767188002&ssPage
Name=ADME:B:EOIBSA:UK:11
Plus a thick brown belt I'm gonna attatch a weapon holster to.

I've decided to try my hand at making a Zoe vert. Found a tank top pattern on the internet, I have a great local market that sells all materials (inc. brown leather) really cheaply, so it's just a case of putting buckles up the sides!

You all probably know about the gorgeous actual coastumes the propstore of London has on sale. Most of the stuff was way out of my pricerange (although I was horribly tempted by some of the actual Reaver weapons for under $300! Still, for those wanting to make costumes, it's a gold-mine as it has closeups of all the outfits worn, including details of the weapons!
See all that dwells here and drool!
http://www.propstore.com/list/cat_id/8/pos//num_display/40/view/0/ob/i
tm/movs/877

I'm thinking about also trying to make Zoe's leather shrug and her sawn-off gut from this outfit:

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, May 23, 2006 10:23 AM (P)

*drool...*
That is sooo pretty. An actual Zoe-size vest would never fit me, but damn that is pretty.
I try to buy Zoe-like clothes now. Few red, button-up shirts and the like. Think I'll be hunting for green pants now...
Still lookin' for boots. Those boots you found are ultra-shiny! Hope they fit you; I would never buy footwear I hadn't tried on. I have odd and picky feet.
Hey, once you master makin' Zoe vests, maybe you could start selling 'em. We could use more semi-affordable costume pieces

I hope your coat arrives soon!

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.