Converting a tweed sport coat to a Braemar jacket

**The F-H.C.A.G.** · 22nd February 08, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by Farlander

...

I will post pictures this weekend (and perhaps try showing it off next week at the NOR CAL BEER AND KILTS NIGHT).

We look forward to it. Maybe we can even get the original conversion to come along (either wrapped around my father-in-law, or all alone...depends on my mother-in-law).

Be well,

**David Dalglish** · 23rd February 08, 12:56 AM

Very nice conversion lass.

**Freelander Sporrano** · 23rd February 08, 06:44 AM

Brilliant. Just brilliant. Take a

**Chef** · 23rd February 08, 06:38 PM

Truly one of the best conversions I have seen.

**SFCRick** · 23rd February 08, 07:40 PM

very nice job

**BoldHighlander** · 24th February 08, 01:56 AM

What a wonderful DIY thread!
Thanks for posting this

**Iain Robb** · 27th February 08, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by Don Patrick

Beautiful jacket. Guess I know what I'm going to try and do with some of my Harris Tweed.

The details for this project conjures up memories of my past. Anyone know why buttons are even placed on sleeves?

Back when sleeves were separate pieces of clothing, they were usually fitted tightly on the lower part of the arm and closed with buttons. When they become part of the garment and the garment became a sportcoat or suit jacket or whatever, and the fit became looser, the buttons became purely decorative.

**Vafuth** · 23rd April 08, 10:09 AM

I may be attempting something similar with one of my fathers old tweed sport coats... the bottom edge is a bit tattered so he doesn't wear it anymore.

I doubt it will turn out nearly as good (my sewing skills are quite rusty)

But first I need to get the sewing machine working again.

**auld argonian** · 23rd April 08, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Don Patrick

Beautiful jacket. Guess I know what I'm going to try and do with some of my Harris Tweed.

The details for this project conjures up memories of my past. Anyone know why buttons are even placed on sleeves?

I'm sure that this story is apocryphal, but my mom always told me that buttons were originally placed on the sleeves by Napoleon. The story goes that the Emperor was disgusted by the table manners of the officers with whom he often took meals. The particular thing that drove him up the wall was their tendency to wipe both their mouths and their runny noses on their sleeves. Now, as we all know, It's Good To Be The King...and even better to be the Emperor; so he decreed that buttons be sewn on the sleeves to deter the behaviour that he found so reprehensible.

...or so the story goes...

Best

AA

**Kerr the Walker** · 1st July 08, 04:01 AM

Fantastic thread!
Many thanks for the step-by-step instructions/pictures. I too am a visual person and written instructions would have left me scratching my head.