Questions on Tweed Coat Conversion

[sydnie7]

If the material is "tweedy" enough, I've toyed with the idea of ignoring the placement of second/lowest buttonhole and cutting right through it, if needed to create the most pleasing curve. Then pick out the buttonhole threads, perhaps iron a bit of interfacing to the wrong side to reinforce what's left of the buttonhole slit, maybe use some matching thread to close up the slit if there is a lot of it remaining on the front of the jacket. Then go ahead with the conversion, pretending that little slit no longer exists.

Haven't tried it, so no guarantees. But the hairy-er the fabric, the less likely anybody will notice that little mend vs. them noticing an awkward "curve" forced by your need to dodge the buttonhole entirely.

It's on my list to try this. . . don't hold your breath, it's a ways down a long list.

[Elizabeth]

I've been wondering about the style of cut that goes horizontal for the space right under the button and then goes down to the curved jacket bottom. I think it would work well for jacket conversions but not sure if the style is appropriate? I recall seeing it on military jackets.

Edited to add... Like this conversion; http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...version-77390/

[madmacs]

Done with a three button jacket that would probably work well to eliminate the bottom button hole.

[Kiltboy]

If the material is "tweedy" enough, I've toyed with the idea of ignoring the placement of second/lowest buttonhole .....

I've done this. It was a thrift store Harris Tweed which was damaged by a cat. (quite shocking) I cut through the middle of the buttonhole, then "fluffed" the surrounding threads after picking it apart. Then stitched it up. Since the tweed was soft and had some great body, it was well disguised. Lots of steaming too. It's not perfect on close inspection, but looks good to me for a $4 jacket. The hard job was fixing the cat damage/snags.