Burgundy and Black XKilt #2, COMPLETE.

**Kirika** · 13th July 11, 09:29 PM

I know I had a thread for this already, but I think it disappeared into the abyss. I stared my second Xkilt last Wednesday, and finished yesterday. Probably took about 20ish hours, not exactly sure. I know my sewing machine was giving me a horrible time for the first few days, so that definitely added some time (and making it two colors added extra work). Anyway, without further ado, here are a few start to finish pictures. I haven't gotten around to washing and ironing yet, so it's still a bit chalky and wrinkly. I'll be sure to clean and iron it down nice and flat before I take a photo where I'm actually wearing it. A huge thanks again to Alan (and all who helped with the guide), as this wouldn't be possible without all of his hard work.

I have to say, I'm quite pleased with how this turned out (first time by myself, and it went quite well). I can't wait to strap this on and wear it out. My brother now wants me to make him an X-kilt, as does an acquaintance who saw me wearing my black version to a concert at which his band was performing. I also want to try my hand at making a few smaller "X-skirts" for my little sisters, as I think they'd both love to have one of their own. What's not to love about quitting your job to start school in the fall? So much free time this summer...

(oh, and yes, I totally hooked my laptop up to that 55" TV to view the PDF guide.. XD)

**English Bloke** · 14th July 11, 01:58 AM

That would look equally good in Black with Burgundy in the pleats. Nice Job!

**CMcG** · 14th July 11, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Kirika

<snip>
(oh, and yes, I totally hooked my laptop up to that 55" TV to view the PDF guide.. XD)

Nice work on the Xkilt and great idea to use a big screen for the instructions

**Eleazar** · 18th July 11, 07:44 PM

Very nice. Well done.

**Spartan Tartan** · 18th July 11, 07:49 PM

Well done. I am impressed.

**Pyper** · 18th July 11, 08:25 PM

How does the black tie in?

Fold the edges to the interior and stitch them together? What about the top and the corners?

Looks nice!

**Kirika** · 19th July 11, 10:38 AM

Thanks all, it was definitely a fun project..

Originally Posted by Pyper

How does the black tie in?

Fold the edges to the interior and stitch them together? What about the top and the corners?

Looks nice!

TBH, I wasn't sure how to do the black when I started, so I just had to wing it. I hemmed the main fabric, cut out the rectangles of black, and hemmed the bottom edge. I then sewed the top and sides down into the burgundy fabric, so it'd stay as I made the pleats. My one complaint is that the raw edges of the black (even though they're behind the burgundy, so they're not actually visible) will get a few loose threads here and there, especially after washing. I think hemming the full rectangle would fix that problem, but with so many layers of fabric behind the pleats I worry that they'd never stay flat. However, I think if I end up doing another two colored kilt, I'll definitely try hemming the whole piece for the undersides, and cross my fingers that ironing it down well will do the trick.

I wore it this past Saturday (along with my favorite Edgar Alan Poe charcoal drawing shirt) while taking my little sisters to the mall. Apart from the usual double takes and such, I did notice that as we walked past a crowd of a few girls and guys, one of the girls was saying something about "Kilts.... awesome.." and such. Sadly, I couldn't catch the whole thing, but it was definitely a boost to my spirits.. ^_^

I think I'll be starting an "X-skirt" next, for one of my little sisters. She begged for me to make her one, after seeing this most recent kilt. I do have one question, if anyone can help.. Her measures are actually pretty similar to mine (38" rump, 33" waist, so I did 10 3" pleats and an 8" apron), but her waist and rump are a bit smaller. 32" rump and a 30" waist. I was thinking that perhaps I could do 9 3" pleats and a 5" apron. The apron sounds a bit small to me, but in the guide Alan says that very narrow aprons can look quite nice. Would 5" be too small, or do you guys think that'd work out alright?

**Tartan Hiker** · 23rd July 11, 08:36 PM

Well, I'd caution against an apron that narrow. How about knocking your pleats down to 2.5 inches and add the extra fabric to the apron? With a waist that narrow, the narrower pleats would look a lot better, IMHO.

**Kirika** · 24th July 11, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

Well, I'd caution against an apron that narrow. How about knocking your pleats down to 2.5 inches and add the extra fabric to the apron? With a waist that narrow, the narrower pleats would look a lot better, IMHO.

I was originally thinking that might be best, but I wasn't sure how to change the measurements.. Obviously pleat size would change from 3 to 2.5, but what would the 5.25 change to? I mean, mathematically, I'd say 2.5 is 5/6 of 3, so 5/6 of 5.25 would be like 4.375.. So change 5 1/4" to 4 3/8"? Would that be right? I was planning on starting today, but I need to be sure of the measurement before that can happen.