Customer review - Rick Crouse

Back in October I had an email from a lady who wanted a coat made for her husband for his Christmas present.

As well as being an unusual request – especially since it was being kept a total secret from the recipient - it proved to be the largest coat I had ever made . . .

I got the best Christmas gift this year – a Doctor Who coat! Not just any coat but one made with such attention to detail that it could/should have been worn by David Tennant himself!

My wonderful wife, Kirsten, commissioned a coat by Steve Ricks in the UK. We live in the cultural crossroads of Conroe, Willis and Cut-n-Shoot, Texas in the US. Yes, you read that correctly, and yes it is as culturally barren as the names imply. Anyway, she was a little apprehensive of ordering something from someone we had never met and who had no storefront – you know the usual concerns with sending wads of cash to some unknown email addy 5,000 miles away.

After Steve’s referrals (thanks Ian!) and several emails back and forth, the coat was commissioned. Steve’s communication was so frequent that I wasn’t allowed to use her computer until after Christmas. Kirsten typically would leave several tabs in Firefox open for me to see after I got home. Now I get email with links – like that’s something to look forward to. ;-)

She had to measure me and was quite nervous that I would guess what she had in mind. This is a bigger deal than one might initially think as I am over 6' 6" (a hair past 2 meters) and around 225lb (100kg) So lots of fabric was harmed in the making of this magnificent coat!

I figured I was getting a coat but did not fully appreciate what that meant. I thought it might be a period swashbuckling type coat as we are getting ready to vend at a new Renaissance Faire this spring. Christmas came and I opened the box to find the most amazing coat. A full on Doctor Who coat complete with Sonic Screwdriver (available at Think Geek).

The attention to detail is stunning! After having read Steve’s blog about his adventures in Doctor Who costuming, I understand why Kirsten commissioned him to make the coat. Only a true fan could create such an amazing garment. Steve’s obsessive attention to detail has made for a truly remarkable coat and experience.

I couldn’t wait to put it on! My boys couldn’t wait for me to open the Sonic Screwdriver. I won and put the coat on first. The only change that Steve made expressly for my coat was the left breast pocket is now split to hold my iPhone and Sonic Screwdriver in separate pockets. Both fit perfectly.

I have never had a custom coat made before and am thrilled at the outcome. I have worn the coat almost daily (quite a feat with our normal temperatures) to work as well as just knocking about since opening the box. For all considering a custom coat – run to your nearest email box and send Steve an email. He will do you a fine job!

Rick Crouse
www.fireflyitpc.com
www.rickcrouse.com