Making an Inverness Cape from a Greatcoat

**Riverkilt** · 22nd January 07, 10:00 AM

Maybe you DIY guys and gals can give me some advice.

The cold weather has me digging out my old Grand Illusions replica U.S. Cavalry Civil War era greatcoat.

I'm thinking it might be able to serve as an Inverness Cape if I just removed the sleeves.

But I fear it would look more like a "stupid" sleeveless greatcoat than an Inverness Cape. Yet I know the DIY crew converts a variety of jackets into kilt jackets. Maybe...just maybe...a greatcoat into an Inverness Cape.

You can see in this pic how long the cape on the greatcoat is.

Ideas, suggestions appreciated - if any. I'm clueless, ambitious, and fearful.

Ron

**Andrew Breecher** · 22nd January 07, 10:11 AM

Why remove the sleeves at all? Unless you really want an Inverness cloak, most people would have no idea what one is anyway. Sleeves are warm! Sleeves under a cape are warmer! I've worn a full-length lined wool cloak with armholes and a cape, and while you can easily keep your arms warm by folding them under the cape, if you need to use your arms then they get a little chilly since you're lifting the cape up. I think the sleeves look fine on your greatcoat.

Andrew.

**cavscout** · 22nd January 07, 10:18 AM

I'm with Andrew. I'd keep the sleeves.

I'd more likely look for some tweed fabric and see if Kathy could sew you up a cape. As loyal a customer as you are she just may be willing to do it.

**Panache** · 22nd January 07, 10:14 AM

Ron,

That coat seems rather nice as it is.

It looks to serve the same function as Inverness Cape.

I wouldn't go cutting into it to make something that really wasn't an Inverness Cape , but was now no longer a greatcoat.

Wear it and enjoy it.

Cheers

**Splash_4** · 22nd January 07, 10:23 AM

Ron, to add my .02 pesos here, I like the look of the jacket as it is!

**PiobBear** · 22nd January 07, 10:29 AM

I've got one; one of the warmest coats I've ever worn. I'd leave it just as it is, and make an Inverness out of heavy wool coating or perhaps wool blankets.

Inverness pattern
Inverness 1
Inverness 2
Inverness 3
Inverness 4

**Riverkilt** · 22nd January 07, 10:42 AM

Wow! Thanks guys. Is this a great board or what.

Surfing around I saw some Inverness Capes "with sleeves." It does go well with my blue X Marks tartan kilt and my blue RAF kilt.

Just seemed sort of a "clash of cultures."

Thought about changing out the buttons from brass cavalry buttons to more Scottish looking buttons...but there are a LOT of buttons on that doublebreasted greatcoat.

Ron

**thescot** · 22nd January 07, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by PiobBear

I've got one; one of the warmest coats I've ever worn. I'd leave it just as it is, and make an Inverness out of heavy wool coating or perhaps wool blankets.

Inverness pattern
Inverness 1
Inverness 2
Inverness 3
Inverness 4

I agree wholeheartedly. Leave it alone. Change the buttons if you like. But I wouldn't mess with that. It's beautiful.

On the same note about wool blankets, I should relay my grandmother's tale of her own grandfather from the late unpleasantness:
Appparently, his unit came into ownership of some wool blankets which they thought would make excellent uniforms, so they had some made. And they were gorgeous, or at least, adequate.

But with the first rain, the uniforms allshrank up so badly they couldn't wear them. Ha.

Make sure your blankets are pre-shrunk!

**PiobBear** · 22nd January 07, 12:07 PM

And for the body of the coat, quilt some of this stuff into the lining!

**Joe Gondek** · 22nd January 07, 12:24 PM

Ron
You're bloody brillant!

I was wondering what to do with my mounted cav. coat
I only wish now that I had bought it in gray
I got the Blue so that I could go both ways
I used to be in the 9th Cav CSA

If a person looks around they might be able to get a good deal on one in
Gray or butternut brown
either way its still a inexpensive way to get a Wool Inverness Cape

There are a lot of buttons but changing them would make the coat
look more scottish and less Civil War