Sewing Patterns for Argyle Jacket

[Cayusedriver]

I have a pattern for the Prince Charlie Jacket. I have read many of the threads referencing converting sports jackets or suit coats to PCs and or Argyles, but; are there any sewing patterns specifically for Argyles from scratch? Any help would be very much appreciated!!

[AtagahiKC]

Yes, there is.

Simplicity has an out of print pattern for an argyle jacket and kilt. The kilt pattern is useless, but the argyle jacket pattern was worth the premium price.

You can order it at simplicity.com. I believe that it was pattern number 5076, but you can search on the site for kilt and find it.

[gilmore]

It's Simplcity 5029. See http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=5029

If you are good at interpreting 19th Century instructions try this:

http://www.costumes.org/HISTORY/vict...ages/09_44.htm

http://www.costumes.org/HISTORY/vict...ages/09_45.htm

I have tried neither of those two, so can't vouch for them.

For tweed you might take a look at http://www.thescottishweaver.com/tweedfabric.html

and http://tweedstore.com/sr_swhdr_tweedbythemetre

Again, I am not famliar with either.

Best wishes, let us know how it turns out.

[BozemanboB]

Hi, all.

So I'm jonesing for a nice daywear jacket, and I think argyle is the way to go. Now, I never do anything the easy way, so of course I have to make my own.

I looked at the Simplicity website, and the jacket looks pathetic on the fellow who's modeling it. I don't know if he's a slouch, if the pattern isn't very well shaped, or if they used wimpy fabric.

Does anyone have experience with the above mentioned patterns? I'd love more information about how the pattern goes together.

As always, thank you for your help!

boB

[The Wizard of BC]

I have the same Simplicity pattern and thought to use it as the basic shape for my Kilt Cut Sport Coat that is shown in my Freedom Kilts section.

I had the assistance of a VERY good seamstress who has a ton of experience with mens jackets. She says she would have had to completely re-shape the pattern pieces, change the type of interfacing, add internal shaping such as shoulder pads, and re-design the sleeve cuff from scratch.
Basically, the pattern would be ok if you already know how a jacket is put together and what a jacket needs to look right, but you will not get this information from the pattern alone. It would be like trying to make a well fitting kilt from a pattern.

The kilt pattern that is included in the package is good tinder for starting a fire, or for packing small, breakable items when you move.

If you have built two or three jackets already, the simplicity pattern will be a good one to use for an argyle. Please remember though that mens jackets have a lot of hand sewing in them. The liner is completely hand sewn, as are the sleeve attachments. No commercial pattern covers that. And the changes to the interfacing and padding all came from experience, not the pattern.

I tried to create the jacket alone using the simplicity pattern and my attempt resulted in dismal failure. The thing looked like a gunny sack.

It is my opinion that a well fitting and looking argyle jacket is in some ways harder to accomplish than a hand-sewn kilt.

[Panache]

...I tried to create the jacket alone using the simplicity pattern and my attempt resulted in dismal failure. The thing looked like a gunny sack.

Official Freedom Kilts Gunny Sacks now available at special pricing for a limited time. Contact the Wizard of BC for details. Offer ends soon.



Cheers

Jamie

[AtagahiKC]

Wow, I bet a pink gunny sack jacket would go exceptionally well with, say, a maroon kilt for puttering around in the garden.

[BozemanboB]

Thanks for the tips, Wiz'o'BC.

I can sew alright, but by no means would I call myself experienced. Based on your description of the pattern, I'm certain I do not possess the knowledge or ability to convert a so-so pattern into the jacket I'd like to have.

I suppose I could make two or three of them and figure out a bit more each time, but that's quite an endeavor! I'll have to ponder this idea a bit more seriously...


boB

[Howard Clark]

Well I bought that pattern too, and frankly, the thing is only worth wrapping fragile items in, especially the kilt, but the jacket as well.

I was reading this thread hoping somebody had a nice pattern, I guess not, yet, anyway ?

[MacWage]

For nicer stuff, Simplicity patterns ALWAYS seem to look pretty crappy.
Some of the dress ones, I've been told, aren't too bad. But, in general, the MacCall ones are a tad better.
Still, I would not use ONE of either for a formal or "nicer" garment.
(I used to work in retail at Hobby Lobby -I HATED working retail- so I learned WAY to much on patterns.)

I have not found a decent Argyle pattern, so I have simply modded (none actually completed in full Argyle-esque style) ones. Thereby, the critical shaping is by someone who know the craft. The CORRECT shaping of a men's jacket is an art unto itself. My sister is a fashion major and just returned from an internship with a high-end New York City designer. She tells me that she wouldn't even ATTEMPT to make a man's jacket, as THAT is a series of courses and a talent/skill unto itself.