Converting a tweed sport coat to a Crail jacket

[Darkislander]

That's well done.

[David Dalglish]

Nice conversion Sir.

[andyfg]

Looks very good. Well done!

[SFCRick]

looks grand

[Johnny M]

Well done!

[Mr.Charles Anthony]

Friends; To improve the conversion of the tweed sports coat, try the following; Buy a lenght of black velvet. Then make a 'tube ; of velvet, just large enough to slip over each sleeve end. Open the end of the coat cuff between the lining and the fashion fabrick. With the 'tube 'of velvet inside out place it between the lining and the coat fabrick, and sew it down. Then fold the 'velvet tube' over the coat sleeve(you should see the 'good ' side of the fabrick now), turn the top velvet edge under evenly for about 1/2 inch, and sew it in place(if you are clever, do this first, then make the 'tube '.) Then place the buttons at the top of the velvet cuff, by sewing the buttons thru all fabrick layers. Ditto the collar, trace the collar shape(from the 'notch around the back of the neck to the other notch), transfer the tracing to the velvet, be sure to have a 1/2 seam allowance, cut the velvet to shape, pin and sew the velvet to the coat collar, hiding all raw edges.
And if you are truly daring; carefully remove the coat pockets(one at a time), and disassemble the two parts. Next, find the center of the pocket lenght, i.e. if the pocket is 6 inches long, then center is 3 inches. Make 1/2 inch to each side of the center mark,on the bottom edge, and 1/2 inch from outside finished edge. Then seek out a round object, cup, dish, that will closely fit between the center and the edge mark. With a chalk, mark a half circle between the 2nd center mark and each outside edge mark, the top of the circle about 1/3 the way up the pocket flap. When traced it should look like two Letter U 's inverted, but not touching. Ditto the lining, cut the markings, then sew the parts back together, and hide the raw edges; put a button on the center mark, and both edges, and resew the pocket flap to the coat.
Now that should keep you busy for a long winters night!
Squire Charles Anthony
Historical Tailor
Member 74th Regt. Argyle Highalnders(re-created)1775-1785, Company Tailor

[michaelbeeman]

Great tips, Mr. Anthony! And welcome!

[Wolfgore]

I gotta start hitting the second hand stores.
You guys have me ready to try a coat conversion for myself.

[Farlander]

Friends; To improve the conversion of the tweed sports coat, try the following...
Squire Charles Anthony
Historical Tailor
Member 74th Regt. Argyle Highalnders(re-created)1775-1785, Company Tailor

Wow, sounds great, but a little hard to follow. Do you have pictures?

[James MacMillan]

Friends; To improve the conversion of the tweed sports coat, try the following; Buy a lenght of black velvet. Then make a 'tube ; of velvet, just large enough to slip over each sleeve end. Open the end of the coat cuff between the lining and the fashion fabrick. With the 'tube 'of velvet inside out place it between the lining and the coat fabrick, and sew it down. Then fold the 'velvet tube' over the coat sleeve(you should see the 'good ' side of the fabrick now), turn the top velvet edge under evenly for about 1/2 inch, and sew it in place(if you are clever, do this first, then make the 'tube '.) Then place the buttons at the top of the velvet cuff, by sewing the buttons thru all fabrick layers. Ditto the collar, trace the collar shape(from the 'notch around the back of the neck to the other notch), transfer the tracing to the velvet, be sure to have a 1/2 seam allowance, cut the velvet to shape, pin and sew the velvet to the coat collar, hiding all raw edges.
And if you are truly daring; carefully remove the coat pockets(one at a time), and disassemble the two parts. Next, find the center of the pocket lenght, i.e. if the pocket is 6 inches long, then center is 3 inches. Make 1/2 inch to each side of the center mark,on the bottom edge, and 1/2 inch from outside finished edge. Then seek out a round object, cup, dish, that will closely fit between the center and the edge mark. With a chalk, mark a half circle between the 2nd center mark and each outside edge mark, the top of the circle about 1/3 the way up the pocket flap. When traced it should look like two Letter U 's inverted, but not touching. Ditto the lining, cut the markings, then sew the parts back together, and hide the raw edges; put a button on the center mark, and both edges, and resew the pocket flap to the coat.
Now that should keep you busy for a long winters night!
Squire Charles Anthony
Historical Tailor
Member 74th Regt. Argyle Highalnders(re-created)1775-1785, Company Tailor

First off from Sunny Southern California, just outside the back gate of Camp Pendleton!

Your description, sounds really interesting, but I'm just too visual. Is it at all possible to get some photos??