Hand-sewn "MacWerner Watch"

[sydnie7]

Got some early advice on this project over in the Kiltmaker's Forum (thanks again, Barb!) but I'll put the project and progress here in DIY. I'm following The Book to create a knife-pleat, to-the-stripe hand-sewn from a medium/light-weight wool that the eBay seller described as Black Watch. Barb pointed out the difference between my fabric and true BW thread count, so it's now the MacWerner Watch and will hang proudly in the closet next to my first creation, the Weathered MacWerner

Here's the tartan itself -- it does have a lovely kilting selvedge but these shots are all from the ripped-out center strip.


After pinning up some alternatives, I've decided to pleat to the black stripe that lies centered in green. The colors are darker in person than they show in these pics, even though these were taken in natural light without flash. For example, the black stripes centered in blue are barely visible in person, but show clearly here.


I've marked off the front apron with two green verticals equidistant from center (that is, a blue vertical in front center). Why? Because that's how I like it!

More pics as I [slowly] progress.

[Bugbear]

Ah yes, it's a half set. I have a half Lamont with the same stripe issue.
Good luck.

[Alan H]

It will look grand!

[sydnie7]

I'm headed out of town for a few days so slow progress will come to a complete halt

The good news: with 9 pleats sewn, I'm within 1/16 inch of proper waist and hip measurements and horizontals are lining up nicely. FYI bottom of fell is the lower edge of second strong green band; it will be basted from there down prior to pressing, per Barb's procedure.

The not-so-good news: my verticals are wandering. It's hard to tell how badly (remember this isn't pressed yet) but I think this will fall into the "walk quickly so nobody notices" category. As I am the only custom kiltmaker authorized to create for Clan MacWerner it is what it is.



More in a week or so.

[Alan H]

You'll discover something soon. When the kilt is in your hands, you see every single imperfection in glaring detail. When the kilt is round your mans rumpus, at least 90% of those imperfections magically disappear.

This is not an excuse to do a bad job, it's just a little dose of reality. Do the best job you can, but don't stress if it's not PERFECT.

[Carolina Kiltman]

You'll discover something soon. When the kilt is in your hands, you see every single imperfection in glaring detail. When the kilt is round your mans rumpus, at least 90% of those imperfections magically disappear.

This is not an excuse to do a bad job, it's just a little dose of reality. Do the best job you can, but don't stress if it's not PERFECT.

good advice. As a designer of a different sort, I can assure you that I saw every little flaw in glaring detail just before the public saw it. Then, after a good night's sleep, a square meal and some single malt (not necessarily in that order) I would sit in the back on opening night. The curtain would go up and I would generally say to myself "damn, that looks Good!

[sydnie7]

Thank you both for the reality check I expect this one to be yards ahead (so to speak) of my first effort, and I expect my third one to be even better! And Bob will wear them all, and like them

[sydnie7]

Lots of progress since I last posted (hey, work or post, take your pick!).

I tried to photo the basted pleats, but the shots all came out looking even more crooked than the pleats are in reality. So you'll just have to wait for the live, in person pleat shot!

Here is the lovely fringe and the beautifully matched, hand-sewn waistband. And more basting than I do at Thanksgiving!

[george7]

OooOOoo! Looking good!

[fudgeman]

Bravo!