Tweed Jacket Conversion

[Packhound]

I FINALLY got a "round tuit" and have started a conversion of a tweed jacket that I picked up at a thrift store. See my post
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/t...x.html?t=30625
I "got on a tear" after I FINALLY finished my first tartan box-pleated kilt (pics to come shortly).

Here I cut the bottom off to length (27"). I have a long torso and short legs (6' tall and 30" inseam). Like David Dalglish, I measured from the bottom of the collar. The pocket flap is tucked inside the pocket right now, but I am thinking of leaving it alone. Any suggestion about the pocket?
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I used a yard stick to help me mark the bottom of the jacket. The yard stick in 1 1/2" wide so it was perfect to make the seam allowance. Once I free-handed the cutout on one side of the jacket, I made a pattern to help me draw the other side.
[IMG][/IMG]

This jacket is vented in the center.
[IMG][/IMG]

The way that this jacket is constructed I can easily close the center vent and open up side vents. What do ya'll suggest?
[IMG][/IMG]

[ChattanCat]

Normally, I would remove the pocket and flap. Then I fuse the slash open where the pocket used to be. I relocate just the flap up as far as I can, as long as it covers the slash of the pocket. I use the buttons to hold down the flap.

[David Dalglish]

Your on the right tracks--Leave the vent at the back,

[ChattanCat]

I guess the vent is your choice. A typical Argyll jacket has two vents, so I usually close up the middle one and open the two sides.

[Packhound]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I decided to move the pocket flap. Here is my anticipated new location. In deconstruction the flap I believe that I can salvage use of the pocket. I will only loose 1 1/2 inches of the pocket depth.


I closed up the center vent and am ready now to sew up the side vents.


How high should the vents open?

[Bugbear]

I opened them about four inches which happened to be about how long the center vent was after I hemmed the jacket to where I wanted it. You'll need to make the panels that go behind them a little taller, though.

[ChattanCat]

Looking good. Let us know the progress.

[Sionnach]

I am very glad I found this thread. I have a beautiful tweed jacket that I purchased at Padraic O'Maille's (sp?) in County Donegal 22 years ago when on my honeymoon. (for anyone interested- that is the clothier that provided for the Movie- The Quiet Man), I digress. It has just been sitting in the closet begging to be worn. So I thought to myself-"self, maybe it can be altered to be worn with a kilt". So long story short I just today took it to an alteration place, along with my Argyll (as an example). So, here's the question- it has two vents- and at first I asked them to sew the vents up, but reading above, it seems better to leave them open. I just called to make that change, I hope I am doing the right thing.

[McMurdo]

I would leave the two vents open, all my Argylls have too vents.

[Bugbear]

I'm not at all an expert in this, but the side vents are normal on this style of jacket from what I have read. Looking at mine, a DIY conversion, the jacket would not fit correctly across the back if it had no vents like an Italian style jacket. Also, the back center vent did not work as well as the two side vents because the back didn't lay flat across the small of the back. It would have made the whole conversion easier, but it just did not fit correctly until I opened the side vents.

So yes, Sionnach, you are doing the right thing by leaving them. English style jackets and double breasted jackets tend to have the two side vents. If you wer closing a back vent and opening sides, you would need to put same-fabric panels behind the vents so you don't see the kilt through the vent, but yours should already have something like that.