Kilted in Detroit

**Derwood** · 22nd June 07, 05:32 PM

Hello everyone! I've been a long time lurker on the forum and have just decided to join up and start getting into the knitty gritty of things. I'm a member of the Scottish House of Burnett and own a number of kilts of casual cut (Sportkilt and the such), but never one of my own House (something I plan to rectify as soon as I get this whole kilt making thing down) or one of which I would feel comfortable wearing to anything more than a pub crawl.

Now I've done a LOT of reading on here and have started assembling my tools and materials, but I do have some questions:

1) Where does everyone buy their material? I'm looking to pick up a number of medium weight tweeds and the such to make my first couple of kilts and just really haven't found anything I've been fond of in the Southeast Michigan area, any suggestions other than Joann Fabrics or Wal-Mart

2) I do NOT own a sewing machine. As of yet, this has been of little consequence. I've mostly only ever done hemming jobs on jeans or that kind of thing.... but should I start looking into investing in a sewing machine, and if so- what is the best "bang-for-the-buck" to be found out there? Ebay? Department Stores? I'm clueless.

3) Are there any tools, toys, etc. that I should look into as having as staples in my collection?

I really look forward to learning as much as I can from everyone on here, there has already been so much I've been able to pick up so much from just reading, but now that I've got the basics, it's time to dig in and really have some fun!

-Derwood

**Big Paul** · 22nd June 07, 07:35 PM

Welcome to Xmarks!

I'll be sure to keep you posted for our local kilt nights!

What part of town are ya from?

**Derwood** · 22nd June 07, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Big Paul

Welcome to Xmarks!

I'll be sure to keep you posted for our local kilt nights!

What part of town are ya from?

Rochester Hills at the moment- possibly relocating to downtown Detroit in the near future.

And I'll be happily awaiting the invite!

**Luckey** · 22nd June 07, 08:07 PM

Welcome from a fellow Michigander! Good luck with the kilt making.

**The Celtic Gypsy** · 22nd June 07, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Derwood

3) Are there any tools, toys, etc. that I should look into as having as staples in my collection?

Welcome from another Michigander

I have done my share of sewing over the years and have collected different items as i went a long. I go them from tips from other seamstresses, trial and error and other from just dumb luck.

A good pair of Scissors - Fiskars are good and I know there are others too. And use them only for cloth cutting. I also tried to make sure i had them sharpened every 5th garment or about once a year which ever came first.

A big box of straight pins - I like the ones with the plastic heads (easy to handle) and i usually go for the white ones. In fact get two big boxes of pins - you never have enough!

An 18 inch stainless steel corked back ruler - I found this to be the best for use on just about all fabrics for measuring. The cork back is great because it "grips" and doesn't slide and the weight also holds it in place. Also if you are pinning with the ruler it doesn't gouge the way wood or plastic rulers do.

Bee's wax - I like this for use when I am hand sewing - one light pass over the wax and your thread will not tangle.

Chalk - I prefer to use chalk for marking - you can easily brush it off just about all fabrics and it doesn't leave stains like other kinds of marking items are prone to do.

Other Items in my sewing kit - Good Steam Iron, Pressing Cloths (if you can try to find one for pressing on wool - one side will sort of look like terry cloth), Thimble, Pin cushion - I had the red "tomato" one and one for my wrist

That is all i can think of right now. Hope it helps. And again welcome to the group.