Transforming a sports coat to kilt jacket

[JCheshire]

Hello Rabble,

Any ideas?

Regards,
Jeff

[Standard]

Here are links to a a couple of threads that might be of use to you. You can always use the "search" feature to hunt for more articles that have been written here on XMarksTheScot.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-jacket-30726/

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...details-64696/

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...g-curve-22201/

[Burly Brute]

If it's your first time, go cheap. I picked up a 20 dollar jacket at goodwill that fit me like a charm. I decided to just "wing it" and it turned out decent, although the inside looks a bit shabby, but who sees that! Anyhow, i basically pinned it like I wanted it, did the sewing, check it again on, then cut off the extra fabric. Then I did the second side.

I have a pic if you go to my profile and check my albums.

I will try to upload close-ups later and show how much fabric I took off.

Best of luck to ya mate! Always remember, measure twice and cut once.

[MacMillans son]

The links above will help you with the technical. A few additional stylistic points that I think can help make a DIY look less...welll, DIY.

1. Make radius cuts to the front of the jacket, not angular ones. Don't over do them. Your jacket will be worn open, and your sporran isn't as big as you'd like to think

2. Start the radius an inch and a half or so below the bottom of the button, not too close to it.

3. End the radius an inch or so ahead of the pocket, don't bisect the invisible vertical line of the pocket edge with the radius.

4. If you cant, or are uncomfortable with, raising the pocket flaps, then shorten them and re-finish the edge/hem on them. A short pocket looks odd enough, but they look worse with a flap the appears nearly as long as the pocket is deep.

Good luck with your project. Pics when your done!

[Celt_GravityRebel]

My dad has actually recently done something like this. He kinda winged-it but it turned out pretty good. You could ask Mickey what he did and I'm pretty sure he'll tell you.

[piperdbh]

The links in Standard's post above are the all-time must-read for converting a jacket.

If possible, use a jacket with patch pockets instead of welted ones. Patches are MUCH easier to maneuver.

[ForresterModern]

Of those I have seen on the board to date, two button saxon jackets seem to look best converted to one button kilt jackets, and three button saxon jackets to two button kilt jackets, unless you plan on changing/shortening lapels and moving the lowest button to the top (which seems like a lot of additional work).

Good luck and remember, pictures or it did not happen. We look forward to your efforts.

[Mickey]

Those links are all you need. I used ideas from them to do my own and I can barely thread a needle without hurting myself. Takes rather little time and is actually very easy to do. Yesterday I picked up a few more jackets to convert, including a tux jacket to turn into something formal. If I can do it, anybody can do it.

Biggest tip that I can think of is, when you think you have everything measured, marked and pinned, check it over at least two times, then give yourself extra material on folds to correct any small errors. Nothing is permanent unless you cut it.