Making my first kilt: FINISHED!

**gwynng** · 26th October 12, 03:03 PM

I finished my first kilt last Friday. Went to the Desert (what we call Palm Springs here in SoCal) and wore it to a party. Great reaction from all. The most rewarding comment was from a Scotsman who approached me and was shocked to find out I had made it myself. He asked if I would be willing to take commissions. I told him I would have to decline until I got better...but hey, if my kilt can get past a real Scot, I feel pretty good about it!

Here are the pics:

Okay, in the pic the center stripe looks a little off. It really is in the center of the apron, I just needed to do a bit of adjusting in the mirror. And second, length: yes it hits right in the middle of my kneecap. Camera angle (especially shooting yourself with shutter timer) wasn't quite right to show that. And I know I need to make my socks at the same height...well at least now I do!

And the "Hamish" I did the back pleats to the bar so I could get the maximal effect of a light flash in the pleats as they open. It also was a little more forgiving when working on the pleats.

Learned a lot on what to do and not to do. Oh yeah, the fabric is a poly/wool blend that is about 11 oz or so. The tartan looks to be Grey Douglas Modern.

Cheers!

Here is a link to my post on making it with a few photos of the process:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...st-kilt-76380/

**Richrail** · 26th October 12, 03:29 PM

Looks awesome.

**Pleater** · 27th October 12, 09:26 AM

That is very handsome - and for a first try - wow!

One thing I do, which helps to get an exact placing of the outer folds and probably reduces the time needed for the final pressing, is to press the folds into the fabric before I start to sew it. Working on just one fold of fabric makes it easier, and I put a table behind the ironing board to take the weight of the rest of the fabric off the bit I am working on.

I mark the places I intend to fold with safety pins, counting the setts carefully TWICE before starting, then fold the fabric and use long straight pins to hold it to the cover of the ironing board, then press under a cloth very carefully and firmly up from the lower edge to the where the fell will start.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**gwynng** · 27th October 12, 09:58 AM

Thanks for the advice Anne. That probably would make for a little more ease and accuracy. I learned about counting setts, measuring and all that good stuff twice. Ripping things out sucks!

For me the trickiest part was joining the two pieces (since this was double width fabric). Whew, that took several tries. Not because I had trouble sewing it, but rather wrapping my head around exactly where to join it. In theory I knew how and where, but just doing it the real world was harder than I imagined. Did finally do it right, and that I ironed really well before proceeding.

**Jon Lilley** · 23rd December 12, 08:24 PM

Fìor-mhath ma-tha sin (Excellent job there), Gwynng!

Now, you realize your next project needs to be a full-on tank . . . 100% wool tartan and hand pleated, OK! You've got the skills, now let that light shine!!! After that, start taking commissions and run with it! Barb T. would be pleased to see that you were able to work in a flash, too.

Beautiful work!

**Jon Lilley** · 23rd December 12, 08:33 PM

Fìor-mhath ma-tha sin (Excellent job there), Gwynng!

Now, you realize your next project needs to be a full-on tank . . . 100% wool tartan and hand pleated, OK! You've got the skills, now let that light shine!!! After that, start taking commissions and run with it! Barb T. would be pleased to see that you were able to work in a flash, too.

Beautiful work!