X-Kilt - My First Attempt has Begun...

[MinusHD]

After much consideration and deliberation I have started work on my first X-Kilt. I've never sewn before, so this is completely new to me. One setback is that even though I was able to find my mother's old sewing machine, and it still runs, it appears to be missing a few key parts... Heck it's from the 50's or 60's. I believe I'll be able to get a more modern machine on loan, so hopefully I'll be able to get it done. In the meantime I'll be doing what little cutting, measuring and chalking I can do to prepare for when I can start sewing.

The fabric is "Sew Classic Bottomweight Canvas Target Solid Fabric" (65% poly, 35% cotton) in the "Cornstalk" color I got for 40% off at Joann's fabric store. I figured I'd go cheap for this initial experiment. It's not all that thick, and not as soft as twill. We'll see what happens.

It's a start... And this won't be a quick turnaround, but I'll update this thread as I work my way through it. It's going to be very basic.

[Hawk]

Looking forward to the progression......you can do it....

Hawk

[ratspike]

Good call on the fabric. I've made quite a few kilts with that stuff and it's not bad at all. You sure can't beat the price either. I think it's super easy to work with and with wear and laundering it should soften up some. Good luck with your project and definitely keep us posted.

[Tarheel]

Great adventure. Read the manual for the sewing machine if there is one. Another tip, (I'll probably be seconded by the serious sewing folks) is practice stiches on scrap material before you commit to the actual piece. You'll not back-track or have to redo your work as you progress. Good luck.

[Alan H]

Tarheel is right. Find some scrap fabric and practice running lines of stitching. It'll pay off. Learn on the scrap, not on the kilt!

Craigslist is chockablock with used 1970's 80's and 90's sewing machines, if this one doesn't work out. All you need is straight stitch and a simple zig-zag. A buttonhole setting is nice, but not really necessary. All the fancy-pants embroidery stitches? Waste of time, if all you're doing is making some kilts. I got a 1980's-vintage Brother machine with all-metal parts for $35. It's got a variable zig-zag and a variable straight stitch. The thing is built. WIN.

[Pleater]

Congratulations on tackling the construction of an X kilt, and good luck in finding the missing parts to the old machine - if it is a well known make or maker (sometimes things are rebranded but are identical except for the name plate and sometimes the colour) spares are often available if you know where to enquire.
You might consider the measurements you'll use - I have noticed that there is a tendency to make the first kilt so it is skin tight which is probably just about OK at the waist, but at the hip the stitching stops and there is a noticeable bulge just below.
If you have not already added ease to the measurements, give yourself a bit of extra space - maybe two inches, so the kilt flows over the body rather than being pulled taut. It will feel better and also give the kilt a longer life.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[James Hood]

Best of fortune on the "ultimate bespoke" kilt.

Anne, thank you; great tip about how to leave some extra in the waist-hip. Some kindly-given knowledge to be filed away just in case sewing a kilt ever "needs" to be taken on. Which will for sure be after a guitar and small tube amplifier....

[Pleater]

Amplifier!!

(Swoon)

Having played my Framus 'Texan' guitar acoustically for maybe 45 years now, I can recommend it - having seen someone get an electric shock and a famous band totally stymied by loss of power on stage it seems the better option.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[MinusHD]

After a few months of being stowed under the bed (after barely getting started), I decided to pull it all out yesteday and use some of my holiday time to get the X-Kilt a little further down the road to completion.

It's been both fun and frustrating. My stitching is just plain pitiful (I did do some practice runs... to no avail). My zigzag "bat tacks" are sloppy & pretty weak, and as thorough as Alan's instructions are I found myself confused a couple or times (perhaps because I stayed up so late last night working on pleats). Sometimes my density for such things surprises even me..

I'm to the point where I have the pleats and under pleats seen down, and tacked. The over apron is hemmed. With my skills, not too bad for part of a couple days, even considering it looks UG-LY. Next I'll be tapering the fell... Oh joy!!! :-) I'll pick up on that tomorrow.

So, this kilt won't win any awards, may not fit or even be wearable, but... I have learned a heck of a lot just sitting down and taking the time to try something new. Best case, I'll have a homemade junker kilt to wear around the house & doing lawn work... Then I'll start thinking about X-Kilt #2... And getting some additional sewing advice... And practicing.

Thank you all for the advice and encouragement. Those of you who are turning out those really nice and consistently stitched X-Kilts, I'm impressed, and duly humbled.

[Stitchwiz]

Practice makes perfect, our Mom used to say. You'll get there.

Your kilt will give you many gifts - you just have to be open to them. Several have already been received:
- an appreciation for all the work that goes into making a kilt (or any other garment for that matter)
- practical sewing skills
- patience
- a kilt that you can work in without worrying about it

Look for the positive and you will enjoy the process more. After all, we, too, are all works in process...