Newbie Pipers Plaid project

[Nate Brown]

Hi All,
I am embarking on a journey to see if I just might be able to make a kilt or two. It might seem improbable that a 37 year old male would try something like this...but here I am. I'm a piper in my band (Spokane County Firefighters P&D). At a recent piping school I met a woman from Southern California, that was an accomplished kilter for her band. Through a brief conversation with her about kilt making, I because curious. So a few weeks later, and after purchasing The Art of Kiltmaking, and various other supplies, I'm ready to start. I think I will start with a less complicated Pipers Plaid.

As I have come to find, there is very little specific instructions on how to make a Pipers Plaid. So I am going to have to reverse engineer one. Using a pipers plaid I already have, I am able to get the general idea of how the pleats need to go, and how long I will need to make it. I've come up with a pleat layout, and I have basted the full width of the plaid at a couple of spots on one end. Here's a couple of pictures of what I have so far

[Tobus]

I don't see any pictures?

[creagdhubh]

Need photos!

[Nate Brown]

OK, now there's a couple of photos (now that I have figured out how to load them). Using the basting technique for the kilt in TAOKM, I have begun basting the plaid. The plaid has pleats and is a 4 yard long, double width, custom tartan. Does anyone think there will be an issue when I eventually steam iron the pleats? I wonder if I will be able to get nice sharp pleat edges with those pleats being so close together. BTW this is my first ever attempt at basting, so it is probably a bit rough. I was just thrilled that I worked out a pleat reveal that makes a pretty good looking plaid.

Nate

[ChattanCat]

You shouldn't have any problems as long as you use heat, steam and pressure. Large sett kilt pleats have lots of material and I have never had a problem. Steam irons will give you a good edge. You can also look into pressing irons that will do a better job but cost a lot.

Cheers,

[serenitylala]

Congrats on making your own kilt!

If you need extra guidance, this is the best book to buy. It's the one used in Elise Stuehmeyer kiltmaking workshops:

The Art of Kiltmaking

http://www.celticdragonpress.com/

[Nate Brown]

Congrats on making your own kilt!

If you need extra guidance, this is the best book to buy. It's the one used in Elise Stuehmeyer kiltmaking workshops:

The Art of Kiltmaking

http://www.celticdragonpress.com/

Yes, I purchased The Art of Kiltmaking before anything else.

[ChattanCat]

I look forward to your piper's plaid.

I don't use image shack but you may have to "share it" in image shack before we can see the pictures.

Welcome aboard!

[Nate Brown]

Here are a couple of pics of the finished purled fringe edge. I purled the entire 60" edge once just kinda eyeballing thread groups, and not really being to concerned about what colors where purled together. When I got done, I wasn't real impressed with the uniformity of it. Since I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to things I make, I decided to untie all of the purled fringe and start over. The second time around I used a LeClerc fringe twister, and I counted threads. The fringe twister worked exceptionally well. Counting the threads was slow and tedious, but it gives me the very uniform and symmetrical look that I require.





The Pipers Plaid is pretty much done. I will post some pictures of me wearing it once my doublet has arrived in a few weeks. Cheers.

[Aspiringloser]

Untying the fringe and purling it over was definitely a good idea. It looks great. I'd wear that with pride if I were you. I'd wear it with pride if you made one for me. ;) ;)