Two DIY tweed kilt jacket conversions

[MT4Runner]

Dajo95's "Pseudo Braemer" SAP thread inspired me to get off my duff and convert my own jackets.

Found two nice tweeds at the local thrift stores this past week.

The green/brown one has darker green/brown and dark blue crossing lines, was a 40R with no rear center vent. It's going to need every inch of sleeve available let out--almost 2"

The green one, original length:


Unbuttoned:


Buttoned:


From the back:


Me without a jacket for reference:



I would appreciate any comments or criticism, especially pertaining to length!

[MT4Runner]

The gray one has nice burgundy and blue threads, and was a 42L with a center vent. I have already opened the lining and basted the vent closed. I will probably let the sleeves out ~3/4"

Gray--original length:


Gray from the front:


Unbuttoned:


From the back:

[Thomas H]

Awesome Job ,I have done the same thing ,Yours looks great.

[MT4Runner]

They're just pinned at this point. Do you think the lengths look right?

I am somewhat concerned about length in back. I don't know if they bunch at my back because they're still too long, or if it's because the outer fabric folded to the inside is riding up on the fell...because it's not slick like liner fabric??

Where they're pinned, the cutaway looks like a 45º angle. The actual sporran cutaway will be a 7" radius. You can see the chalk outlines in both full-length (first views).

[Thomas H]

Length is perfice I guess ,I have seen it both ways and I have wondered
my self What is the right length ?

The one I did I am having problems with back of it as well ,it is wrinkled up as well .I dont know

[MT4Runner]

Maybe I should build one with two vents and one with a solid back and then compare how they hang.

[Guinness>water]

Looks pretty good to me. Other members have said and I have read several places that the bottom of the jacket should stop where the fell (sewn pleats) ends.

When I did my conversions, I didnt worry about the vent. One jacket has a single and the other has a double. I just cut them to the right length and hem'ed it. Good luck!

[MT4Runner]

I've been sewing for about 30 years, so I'm not worried about "going for it".
I have a huge aversion to ripping out my own stitches , so I want to make sure my new length is correct.

I'm a bit above the end of the fell, but I'm 6'-6", and my fell is 8" high, plus the waistband....wasn't sure if the "conventional wisdom" of stopping the jacket at the end of the stitches would work with my frame. FWIW, the pinned bottoms of both jackets are about 2" above the bottom of my fell stitching. I think (correct me if you disagree!!) that going that long would definitely be "too long".

Thanks for the feedback.

[ChattanCat]

I prefer my kilt jackets an inch or two above the bottom of the fell. Like you I am tall, 6'5" and have plenty of height and a little shorter doesn't matter to me, I prefer it.

[gary meakin]

So no one is even going to mention the cat?