US Army Blues Jacket to Doublet Conversion

**longhuntr74** · 10th June 11, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

I can't wait to see the finishes product here. Definitely keep those pictures coming.

Well since you asked nicely...I have been working on the flaps over the past 10 days as I've had spare time at the end of the academic quarter (which has been limited). I finished them up this morning. Please be patient...I'll be moving on to reinforcing the bottom of the cropped jacket next...which will be somewhat of an adventure...and will do my best to take pics along the way as a sort of "HOW TO". But that is all still to come. As for what has been done so far...

There are four sets of double flaps (and then the two small flaps that I posted three posts ago). The two rearward sets of flaps are essentially just decoration and non functional. The front two sets, however, have pockets set into the inside flap and concealed by the outer flap. Here is a couple of pictures of how I cut the slots and then turned back the facing material to get ready to set in the pockets (which, of course, were the recycled pockets from the bottom front on the original jacket).

So here's the three remaining inner flaps; two with pockets set in and a second plain one for the other rear side. This is before pairing them up with the cord-decorated outer flaps.

And a picture of the outer flaps that get paired up with them and stitched together.

Here they are completed (all sewn together).

And finally a picture of the pocket under the outer flap after they were sewn together.

**Barb T** · 13th June 11, 05:53 PM

Wow - I am endlessly impressed! You have fantastic attention to detail. Kudos to you!!!

**madmacs** · 15th June 11, 09:09 PM

I like the sneaky reuse of the pockets... im thinking of trying a doublet from a tweed i have, but im not sure that there's enough fabric to make all the tashes etc, did you use more than the bottom of the jacket?

**longhuntr74** · 16th June 11, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by madmacs

I like the sneaky reuse of the pockets... im thinking of trying a doublet from a tweed i have, but im not sure that there's enough fabric to make all the tashes etc, did you use more than the bottom of the jacket?

madmacs...yes and no!!

To all of you out there that may wish to try this...you will have to be VERY frugal with your fabric reuse...and it may...as in my case...dictate the size of your flaps.

Because I had one larger piece of fabric that I had to cut two of the outer flaps out of, the size of that piece determined the maximum height of the flaps I was able to make. If you look closely, the tops of the outer flaps are not equal with the tops of the larger inner flaps when I've sewn them together...this is, in part, due to the fact that I would have liked to have made the outer flaps a 1/4" or so taller, but wasn't able to. It will help to reduce inner bulk on the finished jacket as well, so I am not overly concerned about it.

The other "trick" I employed that you will have to employ if you attempt a doublet out of the skirts of a jacket: the back side of the flaps will have to be another material other than the jacket material. In my case, I was able to find an identical weight material at my local fabric store. The problem is that it's just a half a shade lighter (so close that you can only tell in bright light). If it had not been, I'd have had total freedom to use that instead of recycling jacket materials. But since it wasn't a perfect match, I am only using it on the back sides of the outer flaps. I could have used it on the back sides of the inner flaps as well, but I made a design decision that I wanted satin lining material there so that the flaps slide smoothly across the kilt when worn...so there's no binding, wear on the kilt, or static issues. I will be using that near match material (and iron on woven interfacing) to reinforce the seam when I sew the flaps onto the rather ragged bottom of my cropped jacket body, as well. Pics of that stage to follow in the near future.

**madmacs** · 27th June 11, 07:27 PM

No new updates for us?

**Spartan Tartan** · 27th June 11, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by madmacs

No new updates for us?

I found myself wondering the same thing today....

**FatherWilliam57** · 28th June 11, 08:10 AM

Indeed. Inquiring minds want to know...

**Spartan Tartan** · 29th June 11, 04:27 AM

And don't bother with any of that, "I've been writing a paper for Strategy and Policy" or "My advisor really wants me to rewrite my proposal" stuff. We just want pictures

Note: just in case my jesting was taken wrongly by the OP or anyone else....I'm joking.

**longhuntr74** · 29th June 11, 03:15 PM

My humblest apologies all...Like most of my projects, it has made it to a certain point and then got set aside for a bit.

I did get all the flaps finished and sewn to the bottom edge of the body of the jacket. I think I took some pics...if not, I will do so and post them ASAP. There won't be any new progress past that, however, because I need to order grosgrain silk for the lapels and bucket cuffs...and I'm not 100% decided on what color to get yet. I'm thinking that I might need to order some swatches before making my final decision as well.

For those that are following this thread, I am open to your input. I really like the looks of red lapels against navy blue...but I don't think red will look good with my kilt (US Army). Some have said "nonsense" to that...but I just can't get behind red. My top choice right now is a purple color somewhere in the color range between lilac (18) and deep purple (Sangria-20). Purple is my Army Branch color (similar to a regimental affiliation for those of you not familiar with how the US Army is organized), so it has some personal relevance to me as well. My other considered option is black to match the black velvet that I will be making the collar out of or beige (15) which would match the khaki/beige colored narrow stripes in the Army tartan.

What does the group think?

**Brian K** · 29th June 11, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

For those that are following this thread, I am open to your input. I really like the looks of red lapels against navy blue...but I don't think red will look good with my kilt (US Army). Some have said "nonsense" to that...but I just can't get behind red. My top choice right now is a purple color somewhere in the color range between lilac (18) and deep purple (Sangria-20). Purple is my Army Branch color (similar to a regimental affiliation for those of you not familiar with how the US Army is organized), so it has some personal relevance to me as well. My other considered option is black to match the black velvet that I will be making the collar out of or beige (15) which would match the khaki/beige colored narrow stripes in the Army tartan.

What does the group think?

Jeff,

My first instinct would be to agree with those who say not to worry about the red matching the U.S. Army tartan. I think it would look smashing. That being said, I think your idea of purple is best. A fairly dark, somewhat red shade would probably be best. It would have a clear, but subtle, contrast and would be elegant rather than flashy.

Whatever you choose I'm sure it will end up splendidly. You seem to have great skill with the needle and a sharp eye for detail

Bye the bye, how's school going?

Regards,

Brian