Kilt Jacket pattern

[HeathBar]

For those in the know...
What is the best material suitable for making the jacket. I know wool tweed would be the best, but what weight? Where could said material be purchsed?
I have the same pattern for the jacket, and I was wanting a waiscoat/vest, too. Is there a compatible pattern for that as well?

[MacMullen]

For those in the know...
What is the best material suitable for making the jacket. I know wool tweed would be the best, but what weight? Where could said material be purchsed?
I have the same pattern for the jacket, and I was wanting a waiscoat/vest, too. Is there a compatible pattern for that as well?

There are tons of patterns for vests and waistcoats. Just go to your local fabric store and open up one of the pattern books to the men's section and find one that you like. If you're looking for something more historical, Simplicity and either McCall's or Butterick, I can't remember which, has a nice historical/period clothing section.

As far as weight, what kind of weather would you wear it in? One of the Argyll jackets on scottishkilts.net is made from 18 oz, which I'd hate to be wearing on a hot day at the front of a church for a wedding. Of course, tweed is more of a less formal, Fall fabric. Just like kilts, the heavier the fabric, the warmer it will be. Anything between 5 - 18 oz, like I said, more or less, depending on the temps you expect to typically wear it in.

Tweed, or any wool fabric is hit or miss at a fabric store anymore. I think they are of the opinion that people only sew with fleece or flannel. There are a number of sources for wool suiting on the web though, at anywhere from $5 - $30/yd (or more, if you want the high zoot super wools). denverfabrics.com is a good place to start. Google wool tweed fabric and you'll come up with loads more in all price ranges. If you can get swatches, that's a good idea. Denver Fabrics has them for $1 and free shipping.

Edit: I just checked out eBay too, and they have a lot of wool tweed, but only a few list the weight of the fabric.

John, is this the jacket/vest combo you're talking about?
or is it this one:


The second one seems to be more of a cut down suit coat than an Argyll. There aren't any cuffs on the sleeves, no braided epaulets, and the buttons are more subdued.

[Prester John]

Joel

It's the second one I like the best.

I think with my beard, the 5 button vest will be a nicer look, warmer, and more put together.

It's not that I dislike the first, frankly, but that second one had me hooked since the first time I saw it.

[Prester John]

I asked my wife, who was looking at the denverfabrics site, actually.

She was looking at a heavy wool/cashmere in charcoal. What a gal!

That's why I don't decide such things! She does a better job anyway.

If I can't find a suitable solution, I'll just have to save up and purchase one. Not a bad choice to have to make, but it just means I have to wait that much longer to afford it.

[HeathBar]

As far as weight, what kind of weather would you wear it in? One of the Argyll jackets on scottishkilts.net is made from 18 oz, which I'd hate to be wearing on a hot day at the front of a church for a wedding. Of course, tweed is more of a less formal, Fall fabric. Just like kilts, the heavier the fabric, the warmer it will be. Anything between 5 - 18 oz, like I said, more or less, depending on the temps you expect to typically wear it in.

I'm in middle Tennessee, so weather wise 90's in the summer and 40's in the winter. It would probably get most use in the summer. Then again, why make one when you can make two for twice the price...warm weather jacket and a cool wether jacket.
And it is the less formal look I was going for. Although I did like that charcoal jacket and vest Graham got a while back, you could almost pull off a formal outfit with the right accessories.

Tweed, or any wool fabric is hit or miss at a fabric store anymore. I think they are of the opinion that people only sew with fleece or flannel. There are a number of sources for wool suiting on the web though, at anywhere from $5 - $30/yd (or more, if you want the high zoot super wools). denverfabrics.com is a good place to start. Google wool tweed fabric and you'll come up with loads more in all price ranges. If you can get swatches, that's a good idea. Denver Fabrics has them for $1 and free shipping.

Have you seen the tweeds at http://www.thescottishweaver.com/ ?
They are light weight. Just don't know how light. I was wandering can a material be too light for suit jackets?

[Rob Wright]

My jacket if I recall correctly is a 13/14 oz weight.