Vetran DIYers: help!!

[Coemgen]

Well, the jacket has finally arrived. Here are some photos.

I am wearing my SWK Saffron Heavyweight, belt and silver buckle, and SWK Brown Fur Daywear Sporran, which is held on by a thin leather belt I got at a thrift store. You will need to imagine the jabot and cuffs.







As you can see, there will be a lot of material that I will cut off, and which I can use (if I so desire) to make epaulettes, and to practice on before i begin the actual modifications.

The jacket itself is made of a thinish polyester and is quite comfortable. A medium-thin long-sleeved shirt with the cuffs and jabot attached ought to be sufficient to keep myself warm (well, that and the MacLaren Box Pleat Great Kilt I'm going to order from Celtic Croft).

Now, a question: When I remove the fabric, should the bottom of the jacket be left at the bottom of where I would wear my belt, or more towards the middle?

Besides removing the cloth from the bottom, I just need to change the buttons, remove some labels and white threads from the outside, add epaulettes, and it will be complete.

[Pleater]

You might need to narrow the jacket down to the waist a little using either darts or altering the side seams in order to make it look right when shorter.

It would take out some of the folds under the belt at the back.

Don't overdo it, leave enough for free movement, but a couple of inches less should improve the look at lettle effort.