First Kilt

[justbud]

A bit out of the challenge, and to prove some friends wrong, I took on the feat of hand sewing myself a kilt.

Fraser & Kirkbright has some Ramsay Blue 14 oz Remnants on for $20(CAN) a metre, so I figured it would be a good fabric to start off with. I ordered enough that if I fubar my first go at it, I could learn from my mistakes on a second. I'm pleating the tartan to the double white stripes. I don't doubt that some may think it is a bit busy, but I love the look that it gives so far.

So far it seems to be going alright. I am following, for the most part, the Art of Kiltmaking book. I've altered from the suggestions a little here and there.

I can't for the life of me sew for extended periods of time hunched over my thigh, focusing on the needlepoint and trying to be precise as possible. So I grabbed a coat-hanger with two clamps accustomed for hanging pants. At the salvage end I clamp it onto the pleats to give me something to pull against. I find this brings it up to a better working level for myself.

I also pin each pleat's folded edge and the two being sewn together. I use this as a general guideline when I get to the actual sewing. Usually I remove a pin or two above where I'm pinching, and get the precision line matching and proper spacing magic going. I imagine the pinning cuts into my time a little, but I don't care really.

I've got the Front apron basted, and 15 of the 27 pleats sewn so far. As relaxing as this Christmas break has been, today has been the only real kiltmaking one.

[MT4Runner]

Looking great! How about a closeup of the sewn pleats?

[Aspiringloser]

You're doing better than my first attempt. Keep it up!

[BJay]

I am more than impressed.

[ChattanCat]

The lines look excellent. Keep up the good work. I find doing 2-3 pleats at one sitting is more than I want to sit. I just do something else for a while, like looking on X-marks.

Cheers,

[justbud]

Thanks for the encouraging words!

I finished the pleats last night. I'll try to get a closer shot of the stitching up. I'll admit some of the lines aren't perfect, but is a learning process, and if your not 3 inches aaway it's not too noticeable.

Working on the hem now, basting it down first. I couldn't last more than three pleats at a time either. But with my wife having a sick/lazy day yesterday, there was lots of movies running to keep my mind from goin numb.

[tulloch]

That looks fantastic to my untrained eye. Keep it up!

[chrisupyonder]

I envy you, I have trouble just sewing a button on!

Good work and looks great so far.

Chris.

[MT4Runner]

How many yards?

I looked up Fraser & Kirkbright's website.
That's an awfully good price on that tartan, especially considering it's 59-60" wide.

One could build a 4yd kilt for $40 bucks!

I'll try to get a closer shot of the stitching up. I'll admit some of the lines aren't perfect, but is a learning process, and if your not 3 inches aaway it's not too noticeable.

You are more likely to notice any flaws than anyone else looking.
From the pics you posted, which is from a normal viewing distance 2-3' away, they look perfect!!

[justbud]

It is an awesome deal on fabric, and they were an excellent company to deal with. I wasn't a fan of the look of the selvage, hence my decision to hem. But it was a good deal, so I ordered 6 metres of the tartan (it's double width). I have a friend who is grabbing the other half of it off me.

I've basted completely, and stitched a quarter of the hem today. Here are some more shots of the pleats including some close-ups, iPhone quality (3GS):

Almost finished with the pleats, slid in the buckle/belt I picked out, to get a feel for the look.


All the pleats sewn, minus the under apron edge (done now).


Close-ups