[ChattanCat]

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

ps. I have an old Threads magazine article that explains how to shorten the sleeve for a jacket not at the hem, but at the sleeve's armhole. They ripped off the sleeve, traced off the top of the sleeve (to preserve the shape and length of it or else it wouldn't fit back into the armscye), measured down from the top of the sleeve the amount that it needed to be shortened, used the pattern from the top of the sleeve and cut it out, sewed the sleeve back into the armsyce. This method left the sleeve vent, lining, buttons, etc. intact. I've always wanted to try it, but never had the opportunity. Hopefully, this might help the converters.

I wonder if it would work for lengthening too... ok, it won't work, darn.

[Ramsay]

Hello,
If I posted the picture correctly, you should see the Harris tweed jacket I found at a second hand store for $30. My ladyfriend converted it to a kilt jacket. The kilt is the MacThomas tartan.

Ramsay

[piperdbh]

F-H. C. A. G.,
That's a beautiful reworking job you did on that jacket! If you ever find yourself in possession of a 42 long, and need something to occupy your time, I'd be glad to have one of those!

I wonder how much time was involved in this project, and would it have been faster to make the jacket from scratch?

Have you done any more of them lately?

[Panache]

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Have you done any more of them lately?

She has done two (and a couple of waist coats)





Here is the photo thread /tutorial that shows how she did it in an afternoon.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/j...x.html?t=45001

Each jacket took her about three hours.

Cheers

Jamie

[The Barry]

These jackets turned out amazing! Good job!

[Bugbear]

I just happened to have worn my conversion jacket for a little while today, and I noticed that I need to redo a small section of the lining along one side of a back vent because it was a bit bunched up.

So- you can always go back and tinker if something isn't quite right.

[Rogerson785]

Originally Posted by ChattanCat

I often wonder why I put buttons on the sleeve. Why have cuffs and what function did they serve? If I look from the practical side. I thought the cuff was to have some material to pull down on my hands to keep them warmer in the cold days and nights. The buttons were there to hold the cuff up when not needed. It makes sense to me.

Ah, the buttons were put onto the sleeves to prevent soldiers from wiping their runny noses, and I think the extra material that form the cuffs are to offer additional protection while on horseback from the leather bridal etc...

[vorpallemur]

Originally Posted by Rogerson785

Ah, the buttons were put onto the sleeves to prevent soldiers from wiping their runny noses, and I think the extra material that form the cuffs are to offer additional protection while on horseback from the leather bridal etc...

Coats with cuffed sleeves have historically had functional buttons. Unbuttoning the cuffs allows them to be rolled up, so you can do work without getting your sleeves in the work. Good quality suit coats stlll come with functional buttons, a feature often called "surgeon's cuffs", in memory of their purpose, even though the tailoring on modern coats sleeves makes it impossible to roll them up, even with such a cuff.

[guitarmatt]

Hmm, my wife is also a red headed vet, I wonder if that means she could pull this off too?

[Jere Mac]

Yes. Exactly. Thanks for helping this newbie.