converting my sport coat to a Kilt cut

[KWD]

Detroitpete, THAT is exactly what I am looking for! I have a dark hunter, greenish sport coat, that I would love for it to look like the picture you have there!! hopefully Victoria can help me out!

[Tobus]

Detroitpete, THAT is exactly what I am looking for! I have a dark hunter, greenish sport coat, that I would love for it to look like the picture you have there!! hopefully Victoria can help me out!

Yes indeed she can! She's done two for me, and the work was outstanding.

[Curly]

Ok! Gonna start looking for some used jackets. Please, what sized buttons are recommended? Horn or metal[some smashing Celtic designs about]...Also there is the question of cleaning the beast. Should the buttons be made detachable as some military tunics are? Inquiring minds and all that
Best, Curly

[Lyle1]

Ok! Gonna start looking for some used jackets. Please, what sized buttons are recommended? Horn or metal[some smashing Celtic designs about]...Also there is the question of cleaning the beast. Should the buttons be made detachable as some military tunics are? Inquiring minds and all that
Best, Curly

It will be simpler if you use buttons that are sized to fit through the existing button holes. Measure the diameter of the existing buttons, and buy the same size. You could re-cut the button holes if you want to use larger buttons, but I would not suggest using smaller buttons.

Choose a button that you like that will work well with the jacket. Unless you use really expensive buttons, I would not make the buttons detachable, though most buttons are (you snip a thread and get out the needle when you want to put them back on).

[Curly]

thanks Lyle!

[Lyle1]

thanks Lyle!

You're welcome. I thought of something else that you might consider. When I was looking for a tux jacket to cut down (my wife refused to cut even my oldest tux) I ended up buying something that I would never wear "as is" but that had great potential as a kilt jacket. I bought a very contemporary jacket that was cut extra long and was tapered through the body, then flared over the hips. Think riverboat gambler! The taper eliminated the boxy look, and the flare made vents unnecessary. A coat like this (or even a 'long" as opposed to a "regular" sized jacket) also works because the extra length gives you room to make your curve and cut anywhere you want. In addition, the outside pockets on a long coat are usually set a lower than on a regular coat, so they won't get in the way when you cut!

So, if you find a coat that fits in the shoulders and chest, don't worry if it is too long; you are going to cut it, anyway. Pay attention to where the lapels end and where the button holes are, but remember that you can afford to loose a button hole when you cut. Same thing with the sleeves.
Good luck.