Kilt, Jacket Conversion and Flashes

**usonian** · 2nd June 12, 05:39 PM

I spent most of my free minutes over the last month working on my first tartan kilt (construction photos here), trying to get it finished in time for a reception for the Duke of Atholl and the Highlanders today.

I finished the kilt at the begininning of the week, and found enough time during the rest to shorten a suit jacket to go with it. Finally, this morning I made some flashes with leftover tartan from the kilt.

All in all I'm pretty pleased! I think kilt fits pretty well - I could probably have made the waist just a tad smaller, but I'm going to wear it some more and get familiar with it before I decide whether to move the buckles.

The jacket conversion was a little more rushed than I would have liked, but I think it's passable. Hard to see in this shot, but I detached the pocket flaps and moved them up. I didn't have time to do epaulettes or cuffs, but now that the pressure's off I may pursue that at my leisure.

I picked up the "ancient red" tie from creagdhubh a couple of weeks ago, and despite some misgivings about how very orange it is, I think it picks up the stripes from the tartan quite nicely.

**David Thorpe** · 2nd June 12, 06:17 PM

Nice job! Nice smooth curve on the jacket hem -- not easy to do right. If you saved the material from the bottom, you likely have enough to do Braemar cuffs and cloth epualets. With that color, braided epualets are also an attractive option.

**usonian** · 2nd June 12, 06:20 PM

Thanks! I actually have the trousers from the suit, so plenty of material to work with for gauntlets.

**David Thorpe** · 2nd June 12, 07:30 PM

Yes, that makes it easy. I did my black Argyle that way. I even had enough for a matching bow tie.

**Aspiringloser** · 3rd June 12, 12:17 PM

It all looks good. Good job!

**chrisupyonder** · 3rd June 12, 12:53 PM

Would there be enough from the trousers to make a vest/waistcoat, that would be awesome. I just wish I could sew

.

Great job there.

Chris.

**usonian** · 5th June 12, 05:13 PM

Thanks everyone. I'm doubtful there would be enough for a waistcoat, but it is always surprising how much material goes into trousers when you see it laid out flat. I'll have to see.

**sydnie7** · 6th June 12, 07:46 AM

There's a photo in another thread (found it!) of a jacket and vest styled with a seam at the waist. Making the vest front from two (four) pieces could make it easier to get enough from the trousers. I really like this look and have put it on my ever-growing to-do list.

Really like your tartan and that's a handsome outfit overall. Nicely done!

**Elf** · 14th June 12, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

There's a photo in another thread (found it!) of a jacket and vest styled with a seam at the waist. Making the vest front from two (four) pieces could make it easier to get enough from the trousers. I really like this look and have put it on my ever-growing to-do list.

Really like your tartan and that's a handsome outfit overall. Nicely done!

Ditto on all the compliments. Here's an additional thought on the vest. If you can get the fronts out of the unused trousers, the back may be another material. Many are made that way anywho.