Pattern Quest

[sydnie7]

Finding that discontinued pattern in a normally hard-to-find size is unlikely. My suggestion is to find a similar, regular jacket pattern in your size that shares the basic construction attributes you want -- side panels, etc. Then use your brother's pattern, or pattern guidance that has been posted on this forum, to create the front cut-away and whatever "kilt jacket" elements you want to add -- epaulets, shaped pocket flaps, raising the lapel fold, pocket placement, etc.

Think of it as a sportcoat conversion in the raw. You make all the desired changes before cutting any fabric. I do suggest making a muslin version (or whatever cheap cotton fabric you have on hand) of just the jacket body and sleeves, to try on for fit, lapel fold, and length. Transfer any changes from the muslin to your paper pattern, then have at it.

I have a jacket cut out using this concept, waiting for time to sew it up. I used a tuxedo pattern from Vogue but, from what I've seen, 50R is not commonly available so you'll use what you can find. Even with all the work I've described, you will have a completed jacket long before you would have found that Simplicity pattern again -- in any size!

[David Thorpe]

My suggestion is to find a similar, regular jacket pattern in your size that shares the basic construction attributes you want -- side panels, etc. Then use your brother's pattern, or pattern guidance that has been posted on this forum, to create the front cut-away and whatever "kilt jacket" elements you want to add -- epaulets, shaped pocket flaps, raising the lapel fold, pocket placement, etc.

Great idea. Thanks. I am working on a sportcoat-to-Braemer conversion right now, so this would not be all unfamiliar territory.