Tweed jackets galore!

Phew – I’ve had a busy week – not helped by being laid up for part of it with a stomach upset.

Anyway, needs must, and I ploughed on to complete two prize jackets back-to-back.

First was a Shetland Tweed, with all the trimmings!

I think I really have the pattern nailed for the jacket, and have mastered the fabric pattern aligning.

The elbow patches I have sourced are just right, and are made from a very natural leather.

Some I had seen off the shelf at haberdashery stores have been very dull and in single colour. They didn’t have any character, but the ones I am using are hand cut and made to order, so are much more characterful.

The second jacket was in the Season Five Donegal Tweed and was the first time I had done this particular jacket.

I did think it was a completely different jacket, but I discovered that everything about it – with the exception of the collar and lapels – was cut exactly the same as the later Shetland Tweed.

The details of the button vent on the cuff (with two buttons here - the Shetland has three); the back vent; breast pocket; outer pockets with flaps; and the configuration of the seams around the outer pocket are all from the same base pattern.

I sourced perfect elbow patches from the same place as earlier, and I tracked down just the right leather football buttons (see below).

I wonder if they were used as a nod to Matt Smith, who’s original career path was with a league football team.

Each of the jackets sports the appropriate W Bill label, the Donegal with the additional label specific to their mill.

Do let me know what you think of the jackets.