Tweed jacket conversion - starting point

[Avonlea22]

Ok, so I found what I think is a great tweed jacket at my local Goodwill today. I purchased this jacket for $8.50. I plan to convert it to a kilt jacket as soon as I lose some more weight (hence it not being buttoned...It's a little tight still).

I was hoping you guys, especially those that have converted jackets, could comment on this particular jacket. I love the color, personally. It has real pockets, so I'm a bit concerned with this, as Alan H suggests "patch" pockets on his site.


and a close up:


I can always keep an eye out for something better. $8.50 is not too much to lose, and I have a few months before I actually begin to do the conversion.

Here is a thread I had started which led me to this project. Thanks to those that suggested I go this route.

[Panache]

Brian,

The jacket looks like a good candidate for a conversion. On the back does it have one center vent or two side ones?

My jacket had pockets just like like, don't worry about them not being patch pockets.

What you will need to do is sew those pockets shut. You then need to move the flaps up so that the bottom edge of the flap covers the sewn shut opening by a 1/2" or so. The pocket is no longer functional but now appears higher up on the jacket. This is fine since you have the inner pockets and a sporran for carrying stuff.

Cheers

[JimB]

I think it's a great candidate for a conversion.
Why wait though? You won't be adjusting the size, only the length. Convert it now while you're waiting for the weight loss.
Be sure to post the results.

[Avonlea22]

Brian,

On the back does it have one center vent or two side ones?

It has one. Is that good?

[thescot]

That's going to make a beautiful kilt jacket. Nothing like herringbone wool.

Panache covered all the pocket stuff.

Looks to me like you done good.

[Panache]

It has one. Is that good?

The two on the side is ideal. But Walkerk just had one done with the single center sem and it still looked pretty good.

Cheers

[bunchdescendant]

(voice of The Simpson's Mr. Burns)

"Excellent jacket!"

Depending on how the vent is constructed, you may be able to close it, but I would defer that judgement call to the others that have done this before.

Ray

[Avonlea22]

So, is it possible to have the jacket altered without actually having a kilt as a guide? I won't have my kilt until August or September.

[Panache]

Brian,

Tricky but not impossible. Have you worn a kilt before?I f you know exactly where the top of the kilt is going to sit on your waist I should think you could figure it out. I would wrap a towel around my waist and put a belt around it (imagine a 2" wide kilt belt). Then try to determine where you wish your sporran to hang. Put on the jacket and make your chalk marks. If you are doing it yourself I would say "go for it". If you mess up you are out $8. If you are going to have a tailor do it I would say wait.

Cheers

[Avonlea22]

Looks like I'll be better off waiting. I did have a casual kilt, and it's been about a year since I've worn it, so I wouldn't trust my memory. I'm sure it wouldn't take a tailor too long to get the project done once I do get the kilt. I certainly won't be doing it myself.