hello! Prince charlie conversion?

**neeah613l** · 4th August 08, 05:48 AM

Hi ya'll! I've been hovering around here for a while but never posted. Now the time has come. It is a monumental occasion.
Now is the time for all good kilters to come to the aid of someone who is considering a DIY job! (drum roll)
Our family is fairly "expert" at all things kilt, we're experienced Scottish Country Dancers, one of us has a Montrose and one a PC... so we're not newbies to jackets.
But now we need another one for a friend. You can find them fairly cheap on eBay, but they're still pretty expensive and after all I've seen ya'll DIY, why can't I? Besides, this is a very small sized jacket we need, and they're harder to find on eBay (although the upside of that is that when you do find them, they're cheaper because not as many people want them).
So. Deep breath. Here is the candidate jacket for the Prince Charlie coatee.

It was some type of a woman's jacket (I've seen y'all do it!). As you can see it doesn't have tails in the back, but gee, it's cut away and has the correct lapels and everything! I think it would still look good (and as I've heard you guys say, that's all that's necessary- there is no Kilt Bible). After all, Montroses don't have tails and they look good...

I was gonna get one of these vests,

http://www.uniformalwearhouse.com/ap...sts_solid.html

and replace all the buttons.

basically I think I just want a smile from someone before I get started... a bit nervous... first time and all...

**vmac3205** · 4th August 08, 06:28 AM

Unfortunately, the photos you posted did not come up on my computer. If you private message them to me, I can walk you through the process. I've done about half dozen PC conversions and here is the best way I have found.
Go to either Ebay, Yourowntux.com, or your local used tux outlet and get a tail coat that fits. You can get them for about $20.00 The process is simple. Cut the tails down to where you want them, and use that material for the sleeve trimming. Get shiny black cord for the epaulettes and do a 4 strand braid. You'll need to open the shoulder seam to attach the tail of the braid. You will also want to undo the sleeve lining and open both sleeve seams to attach the trim (gauntlet?) then sew everything back together. Trust me on this one. It will take less time in the long run. Here are two coats that I did. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

**BEEDEE** · 4th August 08, 06:52 AM

Search the DIY forum and you will find several posts on PC conversions - most using tail coats from ex-rental stock.

Brian

**DTrain** · 4th August 08, 11:36 PM

This is not as bad as it sounds. I actually took a ex-rental tailcoat to a tailor along with printed pics from some XMarks threads and she sewed it up for me for $50. Run with it.

**Arlen** · 5th August 08, 02:28 AM

Here are the pictures. They showed O.K. for me.

Pic one - Link

Pic two - Link

I think the jacket itself would convert very, very well. And that waistcoat would be good, too. (It may need shortened a bit, though.)

Also, welcome to Xmarks from a fellow SCD fan.

**vmac3205** · 5th August 08, 06:47 AM

Thanks Arlen for posting the photos. They came up nicely on your post. Are you guys going to attend the Baker City games? We met the organizers in Enumclaw. This is only their second year, and they are loaded with enthusiam. We are already booked for that weekend, but hopefully we can get over that way next year, unless gas doubles again.

Take care,
Victoria

Originally Posted by Arlen

Here are the pictures. They showed O.K. for me.

Pic one - Link

Pic two - Link

I think the jacket itself would convert very, very well. And that waistcoat would be good, too. (It may need shortened a bit, though.)

Also, welcome to Xmarks from a fellow SCD fan.

**neeah613l** · 5th August 08, 11:19 AM

hey ya'll! You're such helpful lovely kilters. By the way, did I mention I'm a girl? Not like I'm in an online men's bathroom or something, but I thought I'd throw that out there before someone makes the usual kilt jokes.

I'd thought about the tailcoat conversion, but I don't want to have to buy that when I can get this one for $15, nor do I want to spend $50 at a tailor's. So I think I'm going to stick with this. If someone throws eggs at my friend at the Houston ball, I'm sure he'll take it off. But other than that... I was actually thinking I really like the look of jackets without tails. From a girl's perspective, I think a Montrose with the short cut-off back looks really attractive, somehow. But I also like the front of a Prince Charlie. So I suppose this will end up looking like an all new Prince Montrose. :o)

So where do you do SCD?

**vmac3205** · 5th August 08, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by neeah613l

hey ya'll! You're such helpful lovely kilters. By the way, did I mention I'm a girl? Not like I'm in an online men's bathroom or something, but I thought I'd throw that out there before someone makes the usual kilt jokes.

I'd thought about the tailcoat conversion, but I don't want to have to buy that when I can get this one for $15, nor do I want to spend $50 at a tailor's. So I think I'm going to stick with this. If someone throws eggs at my friend at the Houston ball, I'm sure he'll take it off. But other than that... I was actually thinking I really like the look of jackets without tails. From a girl's perspective, I think a Montrose with the short cut-off back looks really attractive, somehow. But I also like the front of a Prince Charlie. So I suppose this will end up looking like an all new Prince Montrose. :o)

So where do you do SCD?

Portland Oregon branch. How about you?

**neeah613l** · 5th August 08, 04:35 PM

Houston! We've got a nice large group down here, and are the regional headquarters. We've had the Music Makars to play for us the past two years, and they're coming again this year! Ever heard them?

**Arlen** · 9th August 08, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by vmac3205

Thanks Arlen for posting the photos. They came up nicely on your post. Are you guys going to attend the Baker City games? We met the organizers in Enumclaw. This is only their second year, and they are loaded with enthusiam. We are already booked for that weekend, but hopefully we can get over that way next year, unless gas doubles again.

Take care,
Victoria

Not a problem at all.

We won't be able to go this year, but we are hoping to make it next year.
We're doing Asilomar this year and, of course, the St. Andrews event in Boise I told you about. (And Diane has been doing various events and games around the Boise/Meridian/Caldwell area of Idaho.)
Next year we'll be trying to get out and about a lot and get Diane the first stage of her RSCDS teaching qualification.

/End of Hijack.

Neeah613l, I think it looks like the jacket will work out very well. Not quite a PC but it certainly doesn't look like a Brian Boru either. Nice and formal, though!