Finished Kilt #2 - MacLaren Ancient, 13oz, 6yd

[Hipbilly]

My first tartan showed up last weekend... I went with MacLaren, simply because my last name is Lawrence (enough reason for me!), and I wanted a 13oz smaller yardage kilt for my first, as a "learner". I figured it was a good way to not ruin TO much money learning!

6 full yards (3yds dbl width), less was trimmed off than was shipped "extra".
21 reveals, 1" at fell, 13/16" at waist.

I know you hear this plenty, but I AM losing weight these days. I went ahead and made it an inch too small, just like the rabble always says not to! hahaha.... It fits now and doesn't look horrible (1" of under apron showing), but within a month or two, it's gonna fit like a glove.

Anyhow, it sat unloved last weekend, then:
Monday night - aprons laid out and basted, stripes counted, planning started.
Tuesday night - Reveal size calculated, pleats pinned
Wednesday Night - Pleats Basted and pressed up to fell, pleat taper template
Thursday night - Half of pleat stitching completed
Friday night - Pleat stitching completed, basting and shaping insue
Saturday - basting, shaping, stabilizer, canvas, pressing!
Sunday - Straps, buckles, button hole, Lining!

I followed Barb's book as diligently as a teenage girl cooking her first cake from a cook book, and it was very helpful. details I glazed over when reading beforehand stood out as I came across them in the process.

Only "problem" encountered - my pleat taper template included the flare from the waist up through the rise; i should have done that manually, as the waist pleat was supposed to have been 13/16", but half way through i realized they were coming out to 7/8" because the template was hard to edge to at the waist line... I wound up with an extra inch in the waist, which I took in with the stabilizer. I'd say that is the limit for how much can be pulled in, since you can see puckers and bumps where some places got pulled slightly more than the rest... it looked OK until I machine stitched the waistband on, and leaned those pleats off to the side.

Other than that, Traditional, hand-stitched success!

Tear in, folks!











The hard noon-time sun really shows the bumps in the pleats... I'm going to press them over the ham 1 more time, and whatever I get is the way it its. C'est la vie!

I got the lining sewn in at the waistband and apron edgeslast night, I'll finish it tonight and grab some interior photos.

[ccook]

You do some very nice work. The more I see of your's and other work pushes me more towards doing some of my own. I could only wish for the outcomes you have gotten.

[Hipbilly]

You do some very nice work.....

Thank you!
I've been making and tinkering since I can remember, I always tell people making your own stuff is easy in 3 steps:
1.) Start
2.) don't stop
3.) try not to mess it up too bad.

Sounds like meaningless advice, but thats the best way I can put in words... If you think you can't make something, try first before giving up!

[sydnie7]

That is such a beautiful tartan and you've done a very creditable job for the first time out of the blocks! The bumps at the waist will be covered by your belt and another good pressing will do it good.

I'm not sure why there is such a definite horizontal line just at the top of your third buckle -- I've never bothered with the third buckle, myself, and it would be interesting to see what the back looks like without the lower buckle fastened.

But overall it's a fine-looking kilt and much better than my first attempt (to my defense, made before I discovered this forum and Barb's book!).

[KenB]

I really like the tartan. You have done a fine job.

[Dughlas mor]

That is a beautiful tartan indeed. I like the double fringe and the brown straps. I admire your skill, and I noticed that you whipped that baby out pretty quickly, as well!

[usonian]

Well done!

[rebelrouser]

Looks great ! The same tartan I am getting next

[Elf]

Terrific, and again, what a fast turnaround. Great photos too. Best wishes and happy wearing.

[Hipbilly]

Finished stitching in the lining! I laid it in, pinned the darts, and machines sewed them from behind... I like the clean look. And speaking of clean, I added a "sporran protector" and "mudflap".