New to Kilt Making - Need Tips

[TheBrus]

I've just ordered the Art of Kiltmaking (rightly described as the Bible of Kiltmaking???), because I want to learn to make my own kilts. Is there anything I should keep in mind when using the book? I don't have any practical knowledge of sewing, but I have an aunt who will be helping me who does. I'm looking for all of the tips I can get. For example, I want to try using 11 oz PV for my first kilt as an inexpensive trial run... is this a good idea?

[NeightRG]

Should be fine, as long as it feels like it "hangs" right.
My last kilt - a four yard box pleat - is an 11oz poly rayon blend, which feels great, holds pleats, and has a wonderful "swish"

If you're not that experienced with sewing, and you have enough scrap material, try some basic mock ups on smaller pieces before moving on to wrestling the full piece of fabric - sew down some pleats on a small piece of tartan, etc.
I know it helped me.

Also, do you have, or have access to a kilt you can study in person?

[Chas]

Read the book first - ask questions afterwards. You won't know what questions to ask till you have read the book. All that having been said, I think you will find that the book is more than comprehensive.

Regards

Chas

[sydnie7]

If you haven't purchased fabric yet, consider getting some wool instead of PV. Check eBay or other suppliers including remnants from Fraser and Kirkbright, the store linked in thread "nondescript tartan from Italy," etc.

You'll find several places in TAoK where you are instructed to "stretch and skew" the fabric. Wool (the heavier the better) does this more readily than PV and you'll have an easier time of it. That's important to avoid frustration on your first time through the process.

I also find that PV ravels more readily than wool. If you use PV, I'd recommend leaving a larger allowance at the raw top edge of the kilt during construction. You can always trim it down before attaching the waistband, but having too little allowance (and then having your fabric unravel down into where you need to work it) is a pain.

The book is indeed comprehensive but you may well have questions as you read and follow it. Ask away!

[ChattanCat]

We are here to help. I agree with Sydnie7, read the book, ask questions, read the book again, ask more questions, start the kilt and ask even more questions. The book is great, well written with illustrations but sometimes you need a little more splaining.
Cheers,

[TheBrus]

It arrives in the post today! I'll read it and get back to quizzing you. But I do appreciate the suggestion of practicing on scraps... I have a bit of that, so I'll be able to practice before I work on a real kilt. Thanks for the help.

[Kiltboy]

If you already own a kilt, use this book and your kilt together. I took out the lining of a SWK kilt and "dug around" while reading. Even though it was constructed in a different manner, it was great to have a 3D model.

[jgcunningham]

After I received the book, I sat down with it and read it through. Then I sat down again and read it and highlighted every pertinent instruction that would apply to my kilt (Pleating to sett or not, etc.). I do this now every time I make a new kilt, as each one is different and I keep it open next to me as I work. I also mark each page with a sticky note that I move as I progress. I have one permanent sticky on the page that says "You're finished!" It gives me an incentive to have one sticky keep getting closer and closer to the end. Box pleat next, as soon as I find a tartan.

[TheBrus]

Man, oh, man! You folks weren't lying. I thought this would be a straightfoward set of instructions, x-y-z. I got through the first 45 pages before bedtime last night, and I know that I'm going to have to re-read several of these chapters. It's exciting, but overwhelming, and I look forward to the challenge, knowing that I've got help if I need it. Wow!

[Chas]

What ever you do - don't cut corners. There are no short-cuts! Take pictures at every stage, and in between. One, you will have a record and two, if anything goes wrong, you will be able to find out where.

Good Luck!

Regards

Chas