First Kilt, homemade...

**Sgt Lucky** · 18th September 11, 08:20 PM

Maybe not the best idea to go homemade on the first one, but I took the risk... and happy to say, though not perfect, I'm addicted!

Sorry about the lighting... hard to see, but it's no particular tartan, just a few yards of wool flannel I bought on the cheap from a fabric outlet website. The "sett" is little more than a blue-on-green plaid. The flannel's been plenty comfy so far as autumn begins to arrive, though as you can tell from the back shot, might not be so great for wrinkles. Sporran and hose from SportKilt. And of course, the Eagle Globe and Anchor for a pin.

Also opted for just 8 large pleats in the back rather than the traditional route. Again, perhaps I should have stuck to the rules on the first go, but I'm actually pleased with how well it worked out (especially since I didn't have anywhere near enough yardage for a true tank - not bad for about $20 though). Conveniently enough for my wallet, I think I have a bit of an aesthetic preference for the wider pleats anyway.

Thoughts anyone? I'm over the moon with it, but it's only my first and always willing to improve - especially since I may just dig into the wallet and buy more traditional materials for the next. Can't wait to get started... no wonder everyone here refers to it as "the addiction."

**davidg** · 19th September 11, 12:24 AM

Very impressive. It's looking good

**CMcG** · 19th September 11, 01:36 AM

Looks pretty good, but especially so if that is your first crack at it! Where did you learn to sew?

Seeing as you asked, I have two thoughts. The first is that a leather sporran strap will save wear and tear on your kilt from the metal chain you are wearing in the pic. The second is that you might try lowering the top of your hose cuff and/ or wearing your kilt a bit higher on your hips. I'm not seeing much knees, which would give a nice visual break between kilt and hose, as well as being more traditional.

**Sgt Lucky** · 19th September 11, 07:56 AM

Thanks!

Picked up the very basic skills sitting at home with grandma as a kid, but since then took a few night classes at FIT while still in the Marines (signing off on that tuition assistance form kind of confused my CO) and then fooled around with some books on tailoring traditional menswear. For the kilt though, Bobbie Suttie's tutorial was an excellent starter (http://www.scottishdance.net/highland/MakingKilt.html).

I see what you're saying about yanking that kilt up a little bit - my biggest problem was ending up with the waist too wide, probably contributing to a bit of sag. Measured it all beforehand but there must be some kind of Murphy's Law about ending up with larger measurements than when you started - might need to make a few more adjustments. As to the strap, I definitely don't want to wear this puppy down for a long time yet - but the part in back is leather, which is where I'd assume most of the wear-n-tear comes from. In your experience does chain tend to wear much on the front apron as worn in the pics?

**CMcG** · 19th September 11, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Sgt Lucky

<snip> As to the strap, I definitely don't want to wear this puppy down for a long time yet - but the part in back is leather, which is where I'd assume most of the wear-n-tear comes from. In your experience does chain tend to wear much on the front apron as worn in the pics?

Someone posted pics a while back but the wear seemed to be a little bit everywhere. The worst appeared on the hips if I recall correctly. I only wear a chain for formal events now...

**RAF** · 20th September 11, 08:20 PM

I'd say that's an excellent first attempt! I have no pattern making skills at all, and admire anyone who can make a garment - especially one like a kilt. As far as the sporran chain is concerned, make sure that the hook portion at the front faces in towards the back of the sporran. I found that this can be a point of wear if the hook opening faces the fabric instead of the sporran. Personally I prefer an all leather strap - I feel like it keeps the sporran from being too "swing-y."

**scotchmaster** · 21st September 11, 03:33 PM

Very nice and I like the Wooly Pulley...

**scotchmaster** · 21st September 11, 03:40 PM

Very nice and I like the Wooly Pulley (sp?)...

**Tartan Tess** · 21st September 11, 05:07 PM

If you really want to get addicted, go to kilt making camp next June in Troy New York.

**piperdbh** · 22nd September 11, 06:46 PM

I like the wide pleats. It sort of looks like a box-pleated kilt.
If you make another of these, you might experiment with fusible interfacing on the inside of the pleats. It might help prevent some of the wrinkles. *This is not a recommendation, as I'm not a kiltmaker.*
You can get an inexpensive ladies' belt at Wal-Mart, Target or other such store, or at a thrift shop, to use as a sporran strap. There are little bitty burrs on the metal of your chain, which can snag one fiber at a time of your kilt.
All in all, I thin it's a really nice kilt, and 'm sure you're very proud of it.

Thank you for your service, by the way.