Making kilts

[toadinakilt]

I'm not much of a tailor, but I can use a sewing machine and follow a pattern. I've found a lot of links on the web about making a kilt, but I'd feel alot better if I could use some sort of full size pattern or something. I hate guessing when I'm not making educated guesses. Does anybody know of a company or whatever that sells a kilt pattern? Or of a detailed book written specifically for first time kilt makers? AND...are there any such resources for making an American Casual kilt as well?

Gee, who is this guy who's always asking all the questions?

[chasem]

Barb T. has a wonderful book for kilt-making. I'll see if I can find a link for it.

[The Wizard of BC]

A full size pattern for a kilt is readily available in almost any grocery store. Go to the meat counter and request the butcher measure off 8 yards of butcher paper. In magic marker (use only black as all real patterns are in black) Write on the butcher paper "Official Kilt Pattern". Take it home and place it on your fabric and cut following your pattern. Then make your kilt. ;) ;) ;)

As for a book, If you are planning to make a traditional hand-sewn kilt use our own Barb Tewksbury's book "The Art of Kiltmaking".

If you wish to find a book on Contemporary Kilts you will have to wait until next year when Barbs Publishing Co. releases "The Art of Contemporary Kiltmaking".
(That is of course if I ever finish writing it)

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Dude.

Making a contemporary kilt is about the easiest thing to make (as far as kilts). If you use a tartan, it's about as easy as it gets. It may not look like something from Hector Russell, but then either do a lot of casuals these days.

You can make my Philabeg kilt in no time... with sewn-down pleats, sewn-down hips, a tapered apron, and belt loops in no time. The daggum things are a breeze. In fact, they're done in such a way that they can be manufactured on an assembly-line basis. You can begin with step one... wait until you're ready to move on... and pick-up the process without missing a beat.

If you want my specifics, just let me know and I'll try to throw something coherent together for you. It will be in "beginner's" mode, and something that you can do with a sewing machine, an iron, and some time. You'll find yourself making a bunch when you see how easy they can be.

IF you would rather have a casual with ironed pleats, no hip sewing, a beltline, beltloops and a tapered apron... let me know. That one takes less time and is even easier. It's also an easy beginner's kilt to make.

With work, it WILL take just a little time to get the "plans" together, but should not take too long.

[Doc Hudson]

Where does the line form to await a set of those directions?

I've read Barb's book and quite frankly, with no ill will toward Barb, it is not written in a language I speak.

Now if you can come up with directions for dummies, there might be hope for me making a kilt fit to be seen in public.

[The Wizard of BC]

Making it readable by the general guy, now there's the rub.
I have all the steps written out, all the diagrams drawn, all the details worked out. Now all I have to do is re-write everything from my Engineers short, terse sentences and make it understandable.

Not an easy thing.

Barb tells me I need approx. 40,000 words. So far I think I have 4000. Heck, just the instructions for how to do a side slash pocket will probably take ten pages.

If everyone can just be patient. I am sure I will be ready as soon as Barb gets back from her trip up North.

[Bill]

Good morning!

Why don't you give Simplicitys' pattern #5029 for kilts a try it also has an excellent jacket pattern. They are both very user friendly.

Good-Luck!

Bill

[beerbecue]

Where does the line form to await a set of those directions?

I've read Barb's book and quite frankly, with no ill will toward Barb, it is not written in a language I speak.

Now if you can come up with directions for dummies, there might be hope for me making a kilt fit to be seen in public.

Come on, that is just plain silly!!!

I have made three kilts from her instructions, and from what I saw at the Highbanks Gathering last weekend, the kilt I made was FAR SUPERIOR to the vast majority of kilts I saw. At least my pleat stitches don't show.....

I found Barb's book very readable, and it made perfect sense to me......

[Colin]

Come on, that is just plain silly!!!

I have made three kilts from her instructions, and from what I saw at the Highbanks Gathering last weekend, the kilt I made was FAR SUPERIOR to the vast majority of kilts I saw. At least my pleat stitches don't show.....

I found Barb's book very readable, and it made perfect sense to me......

I will second that. I have not made my kilt yet, but have read through the book twice now and find it quite informative. I should mention that besides repairing the odd tear or missin gbutton, I have no sewing experience. Barb's book however was very informative. I am quite excited to start my kilt project soon.

Now if only it didn't take two hours to get the kids to sleep at night.............

[Doc Hudson]

Come on, that is just plain silly!!!

I have made three kilts from her instructions, and from what I saw at the Highbanks Gathering last weekend, the kilt I made was FAR SUPERIOR to the vast majority of kilts I saw. At least my pleat stitches don't show.....

I found Barb's book very readable, and it made perfect sense to me......

Call me silly if it makes you feel good, but i don't speak Seamstress, or Tailor.

The only sewing I'd ever done before buying Barb's book was on leather.

The terminology does not transfer, and sewing leather is nothing like sewing fabric!

I am not blaming Barb. It is no fault of hers. I am totally inexperienced with sewing cloth, and am totally at sea trying to understand the directions. The fault is mine and no one else's.

If you are not a gun crank, I could probably start talking ballistics or technical stuff and leave you in the dust in a matter of minutes. But for some reason, I simply can not fathom Seamstress.