Jacket Conversion question, again....

[Shanntarra]

A waist coat is easy to make from scratch. Joann's has patterns on sale all the time. Make a mock up of it out of muslin ($1-2.00 a yard cheap fabric) before you cut anything out of good fabric. This way you can find out of you need make any special adjustments for your kilt, or to fit your belly. (When i make my husbands I buy a pattern to fit his chest, then do a special alteration to accomedate his 'bay window'. He looks much sharper that way.

As for trying to retailor a coat when it is big enough in the sleeves but too big in the front, that is a major reconstruction. I'm not saying it isn't doable but it is a lot of work.
Check out a tailoring book from the library for reference if you attempt this. Another help is "Reader Digest Guide to sewing" look for the 1980's edition. All the later one's they took out the tailoring stuff.

let me know if you need help. I'm not great but I might be able to explain some stuff to you.

[fluter]

As for trying to retailor a coat when it is big enough in the sleeves but too big in the front, that is a major reconstruction. I'm not saying it isn't doable but it is a lot of work.

One thing that is common is to change a single (back) vent to double (side) vents. We might get a little extra fabric to serve as facing for the side vents, by tapering the side seams in back... This would take up a little slack, but hopefully not throw off the front and not be beyond my skills.

Casey, I'd just try to be subtle with any changes you make.

Of course the ideal conversion vehicle would already have side vents. I have one jacket in hand that I could not resist---a summer-weight silk blend---so I'm going to try creating 2 vents & sew up the center vent.

[piperdbh]

If you find a jacket that fits but has too-short sleeves, there might be enough fabric hemmed into the cuffs which could be let out to extend the sleeves. I've had this done on two conversions and my PC. (I'm the same measurements as you, it seems, and rarely find sleeves that are long enough.) If you let the cuffs out, and re-hem them to the proper length, you'll have to resew the lining, as well, which is not a big job.

I've not done this work myself. I've hired it done a by a very capable seamstress in town.

Let is know how it turns out.

[Bugbear]

If you find a jacket that fits but has too-short sleeves, there might be enough fabric hemmed into the cuffs which could be let out to extend the sleeves. I've had this done on two conversions and my PC. (I'm the same measurements as you, it seems, and rarely find sleeves that are long enough.) If you let the cuffs out, and re-hem them to the proper length, you'll have to resew the lining, as well, which is not a big job.

I've not done this work myself. I've hired it done a by a very capable seamstress in town.

Let is know how it turns out.

Putting Argyle style cuffs on the jacket would also take care of the short sleeve issue. Some times there are several different solutions to these problems.

The best would probably be to keep looking for a jacket with the right fit.

Good luck.

[ChattanCat]

If you find a jacket that fits but has too-short sleeves, there might be enough fabric hemmed into the cuffs which could be let out to extend the sleeves. I've had this done on two conversions and my PC. (I'm the same measurements as you, it seems, and rarely find sleeves that are long enough.) If you let the cuffs out, and re-hem them to the proper length, you'll have to resew the lining, as well, which is not a big job.

I've not done this work myself. I've hired it done a by a very capable seamstress in town.

Let is know how it turns out.

Adding cuffs can lengthen the sleeves but you must plan for the length so cut off from the jacket will give you the length of cuff that you need. Otherwise, you will have a cuff that is too small.