A Journey into Kiltmaking

[Stitchwiz]

Hello Everyone!

I heard about 'X Marks the Scot' about 8 years ago when a gentleman came into my place of work wearing one of Steve's kilts. He had acquired it from an acquaintance and loved it enough to get the story behind it. He was happy to share and I was delighted to listen. I peeked at this website at that time and put the info away in my brain until I needed it.

Now here I am, on this path, learning everything I can about kilts and kilt making. Little did I know that the first step was taken when I purchased and 'devoured' Barb's book The Art of Kiltmaking last year, just to expand my knowledge base. What an amazing first step in my journey! It was a treat, I could almost feel Barb sitting right beside and talking to me as I read. I shared it with my Dad and he read it from cover to cover - this is a man who probably has never threaded a needle!

My Dad has worn kilts for years, and now he needs a new one to fit the shape of his body while using a walker. Being an accomplished seamstress for many years, he asked me about how to 'fix' his kilts so that he could be modest with his walker. Step two, on this path, was agreeing to help figure this out. He has always talked about being regimental, but the full impact of this became very apparent when he started needing a walker. After discussing this with Steve, I'm thinking I will defer to his skills and let him make the next one for Dad while I learn what I need to know to make another.

So I am on this journey which is leading me into kiltmaking. Hopefully, I will be able to attend Kilt Kamp next year. That will be a blast! For anyone who hasn't looked, take a peek at the Kilt Kamp 2014 thread. The pictures are fabulous! Thank you, KiltedKnome, for letting the rest of us see what magic happens at Kilt Kamp - even that last picture is special! Been there, done that, won't wear the t-shirt - but will wear the kilt, with pride!

Forum: Professional Kiltmakers Hints and Tips
A Photo Journal of Kilt Kamp 2014

I have been a longtime sewer and love anything hand crafted. Creating beautiful things is a true joy. My mother never dreamed that turning me loose on her Elna sewing machine when I was about 6 or 7 would impact my entire life. I followed her example of reusing/recycling, taking dresses from the 40's - 50's (which have yards & yards of fabric in the skirts) and creating new garments for anyone who wanted something new or different. High school theatre productions were great fun. I could explore new techniques and styles which I didn't have the nerve to wear myself - I often pushed the envelope but still wanted to fit in. (So glad I'm not a teen anymore.) Mom continued to feed my need to sew when I went away to school (I made all my clothes) - she let me have her Elna for 4 years and made do, sharing a variety of other sewing machines with my 5 sisters, until it came home. I hope I thanked her enough for being so generous. Since she has become an angel watching over us all, I have had her faithful Elna serviced and now it lives with one of my sisters, being useful, and well-loved.

I have been truly blessed with a husband who supports my intense curiosity with, and love of, life. We met through square dancing. It is the only activity, that I know of, where you 'Honour your partner' before every single dance. And life is a dance! That simple act has permeated our marriage. We love each other and never take the other for granted. We try to thank God and each other for all that we have, every single day.
We both have a farming background and found that our rural home was the perfect place to bring up our family. It's amazing what working with animals will teach us, and our children, about compassion and responsibility; and working the land teaches us to respect nature and to have faith, that once we have done our part, God will do His.
Between us, we have helped raise 7 + children, (some adopted, some born to us and some 'given' to us) and parented several more who call us Mom & Dad or Grandma & Grandpa/Papa; these are the children of our hearts. At this point we have 14 grandchildren, all are gifts that God chose to put in our lives. We try to provide unconditional love to all. We are a blended family with elastic sides, expanding to suit our needs and support those who need it. Our lives are rich and rewarding. Our challenges are character building exercises and sometimes we have lots of exercise; maybe more than we want, but never more than we can handle.
We have tried to live by, and show our family, that 'Attitude is everything'. If we have the right attitude, then anything/everything is possible.

After reading many threads for the last few days, I know that this is a very unique group of individuals who have come together to support all things about kilts, but there is an underlying foundation of goodness which is coming through. The rules of the forums have laid the foundation, and everyone adds to it when they share with each other. The willingness to help, or be a sounding board, or just give a pat on the back when it's needed is refreshing. The kindness comes through even when someone needs to be told something that they may not want to hear. That genuine consideration for others is wonderful to see. I get a sense that some of you are good friends because of X Marks. Thank you for being such a wonderful group of people; and thank you for welcoming in a newcomer like myself!

Friends are the family we have chosen for ourselves. This is a very special kind of family, and I look forward to becoming a member of the X Marks 'family'.

[Steve Ashton]

With apologies to Stitchwiz. It appears this newbie post got caught up with another post from a spammer and accidentally moved to our Holding Cell.

I am returning this post to our Newbie Section.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

That may be my error since I was moving the other one. In that case, my apologies as well!

[McClef]

from South Wales UK!

[Dughlas mor]

What a thoughtful introductory post. Good luck with your kilt making, and welcome to Xmarks.

[ASinclair]

Hello Stitchwiz!

[Theyoungkiltman]

Failte a x marks the scot!

[Downunder Kilt]

Welcome to the forum from

Hope to see results of your kiltmaking journey, in the future. Cheers

[Tomak]

Hello and welcome from Southern California.

[kiltedtom]

Welcome, Stitchwiz, from central Indiana, USA. You will find out everything you want and need to know about kilts from the nice people of this forum. And very nice to meet you.

Tom