Jacket conversion -- how much leeway in size?

**Bugbear** · 24th March 11, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Does anybody else remember bolero jackets? Ole!

As a matter of fact, I do remember them. Way, way too short...

**Tim Little** · 25th March 11, 06:04 AM

Thanks all for the advice and encouragement!

Fortuantely I have a nice Geoffrey (Tailor) barathea "Braemar" to serve as pattern for my mother-in-law to work from, so that should give an idea of exactly how far the pockets need to move. I figured it would just entail moving the pocket flaps up an inch or so (so that the bottom of the flap just covers the top of the pocket)... but hadn't counted on what the cutaway might do to the pockets themselves!

The jacket should arrive next week, so we'll have a better idea of what we're working with.

Anyhow, I came across this pic of the conversion Greg (beloitpiper) did a few years back:

That certainly gives us something to aim for; if mine comes out half as nicely, I'll be quite pleased!

**MacMillans son** · 25th March 11, 07:13 AM

The points that typically, and immediately, draw negative attention from me are the pockets appearing too close to the hem, and an angular cut on the front vs. a slow smooth radius cut (the jacket shown by beloitpiper has done a great job of avoiding both of those).

I would much rather have the length a touch too long, relative to fell length, and the cutaway a touch too narrow, as the jacket is worn open anyway, than to have what appear to be 1-1/2" pockets and an chopped angular cut in the front to allegedly allow access to the sporran that is easily accessed anyway because the jacket is worn open.

Just my 2 cents.

**auld argonian** · 25th March 11, 07:33 AM

One of the other things that I've noticed is that you need a jacket with a snug fit and one that doesn't have a lot of padding in the shoulders. Big shoulders make you look sort of top heavy when you're wearing a kilt. I've also learned to try stuff on rather than go by size. I recently found a nice sportcoat on sale (radical sale) and tried the 42, which is sort of my nominal size, and found the shoulders too broad. A 40 fit much better. Sizes are all over the map these days so you can't go by them.

Best

AA

**Tim Little** · 4th April 11, 08:22 AM

Well, the jacket arrived last week and it actually fits quite nicely. While the body of the jacket is cerainly too long, the sleeve length is not much of an issue -- they might stand to come up about and inch, but that's about it. It's not vented in back, so I think it should be easy (?) enough to add side vents -- or just leave well enough alone.

I had my wife take some "before" pix of me in the jacket and some comparison pix of me wearing my Braemar so my mother-in-law will have an idea of what she's aiming for. When I get a chance I'll post 'em here, too, for your perusal.

**Tim Little** · 11th April 11, 07:39 AM

My mother-in-law was down for a visit this weekend and had a look at the prospective "patient" and the Braemar jacket model. She made pattern from the Braemar and is bringing the tweed home with her to work on. Working the cut-away around the bottom buttonhole and moving the pockets seem to be the most difficult aspects of the conversion. The plan is to leave the back un-vented.

This woman does not shirk a challenge, that's for sure!

Unfortunately I won't be able to document the progress as she lives 300 miles away, but I hope to have finished pix the next time we visit in a couple of months.

**massmanute** · 30th August 11, 11:07 PM

How did the conversion turn out?

**Tim Little** · 31st August 11, 07:41 AM

Heh.... Still at the mercy of my mother-in-law's schedule on this one; I'm hoping I might have it by the time my b-day rolls around in October.

**Tim Little** · 27th December 11, 12:59 PM

**TEASER**

Well my mother-in-law finally presented me with the finished product at Christmas. I think she did a great job -- especially considering her crazy schedule -- and will post pix as soon as I get a chance.