Hello all, bit of a modding question

[fires_claw]

I need some help in a recent project I'm attempting. I was fortunate enough to come across a lovely black and gold band uniform complete with Shako and Braids, but now I am looking to mod it by adding some nice gold cuffs and an extended peplum(?) that makes it go from a high waist cut to my knees.

I could also use some advice on taking out the

Comments

[saraquill]

First and foremost, since you are new at sewing, do NOT cut into the jacket first thing. Sketch what you want to modify, and consult with experienced sewers. Where possible, test out the designs on a similarly cut jacket that you don't mind experimenting on, or cheap material. It is tricky to undo cutting away large portions of fabric.

[fires_claw]

Yes, I am planning on getting as much advice as I can, I have a rough pattern drawn out and I'm using newspaper as a type of supplemental pattern to see where I'd like the new fabric to go and how I want it to lay, as well as getting advice from my Grandma and a couple girls I know who sew. Does what I'm doing so far sound correct?

Thanks for the advice!

[saraquill]

I'm still a bit leery of tackling so big a thing for a first project. Approaching with great caution is one way to go, as is warming up with a few smaller things before modding the jacket.

[fires_claw]

Well as I stated in the original post, this isn't going to be my first project:) I simply posted this to look for advice from more talented people on what to do with it when I am finally ready, but trust me, I'm doing a ton of practice and other simple projects before I even get to this, this is more of a think tank and advice thread right now then true application right off, but I appreciate your advice a ton:)

[rowangolightly]

I really wouldn't mess with the front buttons; that's a recipe for disaster for a beginning sewer. You might consider something like adding loops and making it lace up the front or something.

And for your sample pattern, it'll be much easier if you use cheap fabric or pellon, something that you can actually fit to your body, which is something that newspaper won't do.

Good luck!

[replyhazy]

What everybody else said -- particularly the don't touch the front closure and also buy some $1/yd fabric to play with, not newspaper, as it won't give you much play-with life before it starts to disintegrate -- but also

[nyahnyahnyah]

Do you mean that the center front closes with hook and eyes? Your best bet might be to make a panel that goes underneath to join the two sides, and fake the closure on one side with snaps. That way, you only have to draft and sew a long rectangle!

I think I see what you mean about extending the front, the trick is going to be how you bring it together with your back panel(s).

[fires_claw]

I will look into some cheap-o fabric for experimentation, and as to the front it is kind of impossible to leave it alone seeing as it only closes at the neck, and that kinda just looks crappy... I am fully prepared for the mod to not come out right,but I think that Nyahn may be on to something with the rectangle of snap closures idea! I'm mainly trying to mod the front length into more of a knee-length frock coat design.

Sorta like these gents:
http://www.washingtonartillery.com/1861%20WA%20%20colored%20litho.jpg

and also add some cuff length by merging the fabric, turning the cuff inside out, pinning it around the desired hem, then simply sewing it up, with a nice broad cuff pattern sort of like an older style pirate captain jacket.

I appreciate all the advice so far, it is really helping me to think this through!