Converting a tweed sport coat to a Braemar jacket

**lowellpatton** · 26th January 11, 09:26 AM

I thought I would post that I followed this, and similiar posts, here on XMTS. I did this to a jacket at the last minute for our Burns Dinner this year. I did it to a dark grey jacket that I've had for a while so it fit me well. I made the cuts, folded under, pressed, and then just stitched through with well-matched thread. I was afraid to do the epauletes becuase I did it the night before the dinner and I was VERY happy with the cut. I DID, however, add some shiny buttons. Thanks to all for your previous work on this subject! When I get my photo back, I'll post to the DIY section. Thanks again!!

**Jere Mac** · 26th January 11, 09:33 AM

LP: I sent my jackets off to Victoria (VMac) in Vancouver, Wa. She did an excellent job on a Harris Tweed and a navy blazer. I can't say enough about her service and the price was most tolerable.
Proud that you did it yourself.
Best,
Jere Mac
NC

**Mike_Oettle** · 30th January 11, 01:46 PM

Auld Argonian wrote: “I'm sure that this story is apocryphal, but my mom always told me that buttons were originally placed on the sleeves by Napoleon.”

There are always stories about buttons on sleeves. In the Royal Navy (and in navies that still follow the RN tradition) Petty Officers have a row of brass buttons at their sleeve ends.
My father-in-law, who was a PO during the war, told me that in earlier days, midshipmen (who were often taken into the service at the age of 14) had those buttons on their sleeves to discourage them from wiping their noses with them.
He was not quite sure how they transposed from the midshipmen to the POs, but he certainly wore brass buttons on his sleeves.
Regards,
Mike

**truckie561** · 16th June 11, 11:56 AM

Due to my height, I typically wear a 42-44 'Short' in a jacket. So, if I were to undertake this project should I look for a 'Regular' length jacket so I would have the excess material to make the sleeve cuffs, patch pockets, and shoulder pieces or will I have enough material with the 'Short' jacket??

**ChattanCat** · 16th June 11, 01:39 PM

I have found that you should decide what you want; shoulder pieces or cuffs. There wasn't enough material on the jackets that I have altered to do more than one thing.

Good luck,

**madmacs** · 16th June 11, 05:45 PM

I might have a sneaky way to do the cuffs... planning on a doublet after i finish my tweed argyll... maybe before since im going to have to wait for buttons...

I think your bigger issue is how much you want to deal with the pockets... i got what appeared to be a 42R rather than a 44L when i bought my doner jacket... upside was pockets were higher (so no moving them) downside was sleeves had to be lengthened (easier than pockets) and not enough fabric for gauntlet cuffs...

If you're normally a short, a long might drop the pockets below the cut for you... I dont think i've EVER cut the pockets on one of my suit jackets, so them being usable to me is a non issue...

Im guessing you might need to tailor the fit a little with a longer jacket, but if the lining is ripped out anyway that shouldnt be a huge issue (famous last words since im trying that tonight)