New to board and lots of pics

**Wolfgore** · 25th May 08, 10:13 AM

Hi all.
I am new to the board and decided to introduce myself here with pictures of the kilts I have made.
I have been looking at kilts for years and wanted one, but was so big they cost so much for the big sizes.
Well, I had a gastric bypass about 6 months ago and have lost almost 185 pounds. So I finally bought my first kilt a month ago. It is a black Amerikilt.
I of course loved it and wanted more. Money being an issue, I decided to just make my own.
I have sewn since I was in high school. I am the Captain for a guild that does site security for a local renaissance faire and have made my kids garb for years.
So I jumped online, found some instructions and started sewing. Haven't stopped since.
Following are pictures of the kilts I have made over the last 3 weekends.

First for reference, here is a picture of me when I weighed 435 pounds last year, and me at 260 pounds at my 6 month check up about 2 weeks ago. Oh, and I am 6'4" (Notice I am wearing a kilt to my check up)

So here is the kilt that started it all. My black Amerikilt.

Here is my first attempt. Black trigger material (really light poly stuff) with contrasting yellow thread.

Next I was inspired by some pictures at Pittsburgh Kilts. I decided to try my hand at doing a kilt with inserts. What a pain, but I am pretty happy with the results.

Since I am limited and have a bunch of pics, I will have to continue in another post.

Gary

**Wolfgore** · 25th May 08, 10:15 AM

So, continuing my new found obsession...

Then time for a cool USMC Digi Camo kilt. This one I put cargo pockets on.

Here are close ups of the cargo pockets. One is just a large pocket, the other I put a secondary pocket on the outside of the big pocket with a place to carry a cell phone, smokes and a pen slot.

Next up was the closest thing I have made to a more traditional kilt. It is hard to see in the pictures, but the material is a black twill. It has an almost pinstripe weave in the material. I made this to dress up for an award ceremony for my youngest son, who graduates high school this year. I borrowed the sporran from a friend that is the head of the guild for the renn faire I mentioned earlier.

Then it was an all cotton green kilt. This was my first attempt at putting front pockets in a kilt. This was also the first one that I did the pleats facing back from the front on both sides, the way I think the utilikilts are made. The silver chain is to a pocket watch. I added a pocket for it to the front of the sporran on this one. I have a sort of unhealthy addiction to collecting watches and pocket watches. I wanted to be able to wear a pocket watch with the kilts.

**Wolfgore** · 25th May 08, 10:16 AM

And last, but not least, the one I am wearing as I post this, and one of my favorites so far. An Urban Camo job made with a cotton/poly blend. I did this one like the green one with the pleats going back and the front pockets. I added a pocket watch pocket to the front of the sporran. (That is what the silver chain is) Also notice the Punisher patch on the apron where you would put a kilt pin.

Well, that is it so far. That is about 3 weekends worth of sewing. I have long weekends so I have a lot of free time to work on them.
Next weekend I have to re-cover a lounge chair for my mom. In return, she is buying me some Desert Camo material for my next one. I also plan on making a denim one next weekend.

I am open to any comments and constructive criticism you guys may have for me.
If you made it this far, thanks for listening to me blather, and I will be checking in and adding to the board when I can.

Thanks, Gary

**Ryan Ross** · 25th May 08, 10:24 AM

Welcome to xmaks, from Atlanta GA!

You are very handy with the thread, my friend. I especially like seeing that watch pocket! Very interesting.

About how many yards are you using in these kilts? 4-6?

**McMurdo** · 25th May 08, 10:28 AM

from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, congratulations on the weight loss, and nice work on the kilts.

**Big Mikey** · 25th May 08, 10:36 AM

A hundred thousand welcomes from western Canada!! That looks like some fine craftsmanship. Keep up the good work.

**Wolfgore** · 25th May 08, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

Welcome to xmaks, from Atlanta GA!

You are very handy with the thread, my friend. I especially like seeing that watch pocket! Very interesting.

About how many yards are you using in these kilts? 4-6?

Yes, they are all mostly 4 to 5 yards.
I am going to be trying a box pleated kilt next weekend. I am thinking of trying to box pleat the denim one I plan on making next weekend.

**TheBlueCow** · 25th May 08, 11:12 AM

Welcome from a fellow newbie!
Those look pretty nice! I have been thinking of making a kilt for myself, but that's a big project for me and I have a bit of design work to get done before I set out to do it. I can only hope that it turns out looking as good as some of the DIY kilts I've seen people making.