Tapering Tartan Kilt

[SergeantBort]

Okay, so I have made myself two 'tartan' kilts, although neither are true tartans, just plaids from the local fabric stores because I wanted to see if I could make a Kilt and I cannot afford the official tartan material yet.

My problem is, I have a 42" waist and a 45" hip measurement, so of course I pleated and measured for the 45" hip, but this causes me some issues in the waist because it is to large for me. My question is how do you taper a 'tartan' material without ruining the sett ?

I have been trying to figure it out, and I just haven't figured out a way to do it. I have not ordered Barb's book yet, but I plan on it here in the near future, but until then I am still trying to figure it out, and wanted to see if anyone has any tips/suggestions for me.



I almost had to wear a belt to keep the kilt up, it was just to loose around the waist and wanted to fall down all night. I have made a fitted X-Kilt, but that's easy because its made from a solid color material so I don't have to worry about the sett, its also box pleats vs. knife pleats.

Any suggestions or tips are greatly appreciated!

[Friday]

First of all what you have is a true tartan. It is the prettiest tartan ever made, it is Cunningham.

Second when you taper the waist in the back you do lose the sett between the fell line and the waist. This is just part of making a kilt. With the number of pleats that you seem to have each pleat would only need to be very small and the effect would not be significant.

Wear that tartan with pride.

[SergeantBort]

That makes sense, I dont know why I didn't even think about that, I was so worried about the sett matching up that I couldn't figure out how to taper it..

And thank you for the information on the Tartan, I just assumed it wasn't an official one because I found that material at a local fabric store.

[raibeart_dubh]

Definitely get Barb Tewksbury's book! Pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about making a traditional knife pleated is in there. Plus, she posts here. If you have a question about kilt making she is sure to respond and expand upon anything you may be unclear about.

The pleats are the most difficult and nerve racking portion of the kilt making process, but Barb's book lays it out very clearly as to what you should be doing and what the final product should look like.

Very nice kilt and tartan! Way better than my first attempt.

[Barb T]

You might find the following multi-page thread interesting. It covers a lot of ground about choosing and stitching pleats:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/p...493/index.html

Also, you might find the following posts on pleating helpful:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/p...454/index.html

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/t...714/index.html

[Friday]

And thank you for the information on the Tartan, I just assumed it wasn't an official one because I found that material at a local fabric store.

The local Joann's Fabrics often carries Black Watch and other tartan. Most frequently Black Stewart.
Scottish Tartans World Register for Black Stewart

http://www.scottish-tartans-world-re...px?record=1061

You can imagine my surprise, after years of drooling for a Kilt in the Cunningham, but not being able to justify the cost of even the wool at $60 - $80 a yard, to walk into Joann's Fabrics and see a bolt of Cunningham at about $6.00 a yard. After being picked up off the floor I grabbed the full bolt and headed to the check out counter.