tweed argyll conversion started...

**madmacs** · 6th June 11, 10:48 AM

Well after playing with curves friday, i went for it saturday, and once you let the scissors make that first cut, there's only 2 choices, forward or the trash can...

Sadly the engineer in me won out... lol

So far have ripped the seams on the and pinned them out of the way... basted a line for the finished edge... cut the bottom edge, the curves collar... basted the curves etc for pressing... ripped the sleeve lining and the cuffs at lunchtime, and plan on lengthening and basting those tonight...

The jacket that i got from ebay was supposed to be 44L (apparently someone was outbidding me on all the ones i went after that were harris tweed) but looks more like a 42 regular, which may actually be a benefit the L fitting would have given me more fabric to play with for the cuffs and have avoided.me having to lengthen the sleeves, but... i'd have had to deal with the pockets... since it's regular they're higher... and since the lining is ripped at the moment shortening the actual pocket inside wont be a problem...

I'll take some.work in progress pics tonight... still have to decide whether to try and hand sew it back together, or try and borrow a machine...

**sydnie7** · 6th June 11, 11:37 AM

Sounds as if you are well on your way! I wouldn't bother borrowing a machine, conversions are best hand-stitched as it gives you more control over the process. Some exceptions to that statement (e.g., if you need to continue an existing line of machine top-stitching, obviously).

Keep us posted and good luck!

**Father Bill** · 6th June 11, 12:08 PM

Yay! Pictures, pictures!

**Spartan Tartan** · 6th June 11, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Yay! Pictures, pictures!

***. Agreed.

**madmacs** · 6th June 11, 07:31 PM

Well the AC went out, and i didnt really feel like wearing a tweed jacket in 95 degree temps... but this will give you an idea of where i am at the moment...

Far from finished, but i have a plan of what im doing, and opening the inside up really makes it easier to understand how to alter it like it was made... is there a quicker way? Undoubtably... is there a better way? Probably... but i can understand the way im doing it...

And nobody even asked why i was sewing at my desk at lunchtime... guess i'll have to try the lunch room next time...

Well off to try and lengthen my sleeves...

**Standard** · 6th June 11, 07:42 PM

Looks like you have a great start on your project. I've been going to try this for quite some time, but keep getting cold feet. I'll have to keep an eye on this thread, please continue to post photos. BTW it was no better here 2 hours to the north of you today, 95 deg and 60 percent humidity. As you said, no weather for tweed.

**Whidbey78** · 6th June 11, 10:20 PM

Looking good so far. My first few conversions had a rackish cutout and I wasn't satisfied. I finally started getting geeky with it(engineering student who has spent thirty years fabricating), and found a radius I liked on my last few. Now I use a 16 inch pizza tin and feather the edges by eye.

It's too bad you didn't get to keep the other button, but it's still really nice. Even the one-button conversions look good if well done and the wearer likes it. That's what rally makes it or breaks it in my eye. If you are comfortable and like it it will look "right." Press on!! You're doing it right.

**madmacs** · 7th June 11, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by Whidbey78

It's too bad you didn't get to keep the other button, but it's still really nice. Even the one-button conversions look good if well done and the wearer likes it. That's what rally makes it or breaks it in my eye. If you are comfortable and like it it will look "right." Press on!! You're doing it right.

One button is fairly normal on an argyll... since it was a 2 button jacket to start off with, there was no way the curves i used (from my store bought argyll) would fit with the second button staying.

**Kiltboy** · 7th June 11, 08:41 AM

I think that's a great job. Can't wait to see the finished project.

I just completed repairing and altering a Harris Tweed rescued from a thrift store. I followed these two old threads to use a bias tape method.
Part 1
Part 2
It's not any faster, because it adds the bias tape step, but the result is the best of the three jackets I've modified. Hope this helps.