Converting a tweed sport coat to a Braemar jacket

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

...snip... One other thing that I've noticed is missing that of a half empty scotch bottle, wine glass, margarita, snapps...

Sorry, I forgot to get a picture of me leaning over to sip from my vodka tonic while hand-sewing the cuffs. I actually considered asking the dear husband to snap a shot, but he was busy playing with the kids!

By the way - That's a really neat snake necklace!

Thank you, everyone notices that one. I'm partial to it myself!


So, last post for the night. The pockets. Initially, I was going to cut down the original pockets and just sew them right back on, but I then cut one of the pockets in half for the sleeve patches-it was just too perfect a curve to have to try to create myself. So, I decided I would just leave the flaps and not bother to replace the pockets-people would then just assume there were slash pockets underneath those flaps.

There was this little strip of lining material, just visible under the flap, which needed to be removed...



Unfortunately, this little strip of material was not just put there to protect the underlying tweed from pens and such. It was actually there to cover up an unfinished cut in the fabric (purpose unknown, but probably some tailoring trick)...



So, I sewed the strip of material back on...



And managed to make my first blood sacrifice (probably because of the vodka tonic I had been drinking)...



So, I decided I was done for this session. I've looked over my scraps and am pretty sure I'll be able to piece together some reduced size patch pockets, but here's the almost finished piece of work. Remember that Panache's father has shorter arms and torso than he does.



I'll post the pocket construction when it happens (probably on Thursday, the 20th).

Be well,

[keepoffgrass]

wow! great looking work as usual. Good job! I have an ebay tweed jacket that needs converting. Hopefully after reading this post I'll find the insperation to tackle this project on my own, or at least find someone else to do it for me. great job!

[cacunn]

Being somewhat sewing impaired, rather than open the seam for the sleeves and epaulets my approach would have been to fold the edge of the sleeve flap and epaulet into itself and hand stitch the edge into the seam of the jacket. If done right most people will not see that the seam was not opened.

Braver people can open seams, me I'll just hide in the cracks.

Looks goods good, always impressed with your fine work.

[Panache]

...rather than open the seam for the sleeves and epaulets my approach would have been to fold the edge of the sleeve flap and epaulet into itself and hand stitch the edge into the seam of the jacket. If done right most people will not see that the seam was not opened...

It seems a small thing, but it really makes a difference in how the epaulette and sleeve patch sit on the jacket. Having them attached to the seam makes them sit flatter and seem a part of the jacket. Rather than tact either to the jacket without attaching them into the seam, I would suggest forgoing both and making a simpler jacket with clean lines (which I believe is either the Crail or Ettick style of kilt jacket).

I am very impressed with my lovely wife's work. I think that using the metal celtic knot buttons has made this tweed coat just a small notch more formal than had she used horn buttons.

Cheers

Jamie

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I love the way my dear husband mentions the celtic knotwork buttons (they were his idea and his purchase). They are lovely. I am generally a humble person...ok...maybe not...but I am really impressed myself with how this thing is turning out.

We have our Scottish Country Dance class tonight or I would otherwise be working on the pockets right now. Final steps to come on Thursday (when it is supposed to be raining here!).

Be well,

[bunchdescendant]

When can I drop my jacket off for conversion?

Nice Job! Bravo!!

Ray

[Oatmeal Savage]

Great job, should be "stickied" for us mortals to follow.

Cheers
Kevin

[Arlen]

If you weren't a vet, you would be a fantastic tailor/seamstress.
Panache and his family are lucky to have you.

[Alan H]

Nice job!!!!

Your very own cottage industry? LOL




............not! I'd be annoyed by those little slashes/lining covers under the former pockets, myself. I've no brilliant idea around that one.

[bunchdescendant]

I looked at the other jacket that I had picked up at the same time and found it didn't have that little cut/cover trick going on.

I wonder what the reason was for that?!?

Ray