Yikes -- yeah, I don't blame you for not wanting to convert that jacket yet! Good find!

Very cool about all the sewing. I wish I'd paid more attention when my mother tried to teach me more about sewing. I didn't have an interest in it... then she moved out of state and I sure could've used her around when I was fumbling around making my 1880's bustle ballgown. I used patterns, but I still didn't know a lot of what I was doing and made some changes to the bodice. It came out ok, but I made a lot of mistakes that drive me a little batty. And I hear ya about the handsewing. I try not to do that too much, but I admit I did enjoy handstitching the eyelets for the back of my bodice (lacing).

Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing the photos with us