First Tweed Conversion

[Mickey]

This is my first attempt at cutting down a thrift store tweed. I'm pretty pleased with it, and have picked up a few more jackets to play with. It was much easier than I thought it would be, even though all I know about sewing is what I remember from high school home economics. Lots of pinning, measuring, remeasuring, repinning, cutting, and a lot of hand sewing blind hems.

Lessons learned:
1. The lining is the hardest part.
2. Will try Stitch Witch next time on the hem.
3. Pins are sharp. Brushing down a pinned area isn't smart.
4. Putting pins in the mouth for easy access is fine, but depending on which end goes in the mouth, either lips or fingers will get stabbed. Pick the poison.
5. Was $6.00 and 4 hours very well spent.

[piperdbh]

I agree with the whole list, especially the part about the time well spent. It looks good!

[Cowher]

Good for you! It looks fantastic.

I got a cheap jacket a few months back and butchered the thing. A complete and total failure.

[CMcG]

Well done!

If you wanted to tweak it a bit more, you could remove the pocket flaps and then reattach them a bit higher. They would theoretically still cover the pockets and raising them will make the proportions of the jacket look less cropped. I think I remember reading about that in one of the F-H.C.A.G.'s jacket conversion threads...

[English Bloke]

Good job!

[Kiltboy]

Well done!

If you wanted to tweak it a bit more, you could remove the pocket flaps and then reattach them a bit higher. ...

Great idea. Plus, add some flashy buttons. Well, not too flashy.

Great job. Now that you have one under your belt (so to speak), keep watching for great jackets to modify. You'll find beautiful tweeds in the strangest of places.

[piperdbh]

Well done!

If you wanted to tweak it a bit more, you could remove the pocket flaps and then reattach them a bit higher. They would theoretically still cover the pockets and raising them will make the proportions of the jacket look less cropped. I think I remember reading about that in one of the F-H.C.A.G.'s jacket conversion threads...

But don't raise them very much, 'cause the welts will show from underneath. And nobody likes to have their welts show from underneath.

[Mickey]

Thanks guys!

Bummer, Cowher. But give it another go. Just cut long. You can always trim away excess when you are done.

CMcG, I actually had the seam ripper on the flaps, remembering FHCAGs instructions, but chickened out at the last second. I liked how it turned out at that pointed and lost the nerve, though I might give it a shot sometime this week.

Kiltboy, already have a few more that are on deck. This one got me feeling a bit cocky so now I'm dangerous!

piperdbh, speak for yourself! I've been known to flash a welt here and there! LOL

[Elf]

This is my first attempt at cutting down a thrift store tweed.

Lessons learned:
1. The lining is the hardest part.
2. Will try Stitch Witch next time on the hem.
3. Pins are sharp. Brushing down a pinned area isn't smart.
4. Putting pins in the mouth for easy access is fine, but depending on which end goes in the mouth, either lips or fingers will get stabbed. Pick the poison.
5. Was $6.00 and 4 hours very well spent.

All very good lessons. I add to #4 the hazard of pulling out beard hairs along with the pin. I use my sleeve as a pin cushion for short term storage.

So good to make what one wants. Keep up the good work.