A bit out of the challenge, and to prove some friends wrong, I took on the feat of hand sewing myself a kilt.

Fraser & Kirkbright has some Ramsay Blue 14 oz Remnants on for $20(CAN) a metre, so I figured it would be a good fabric to start off with. I ordered enough that if I fubar my first go at it, I could learn from my mistakes on a second. I'm pleating the tartan to the double white stripes. I don't doubt that some may think it is a bit busy, but I love the look that it gives so far.

So far it seems to be going alright. I am following, for the most part, the Art of Kiltmaking book. I've altered from the suggestions a little here and there.

I can't for the life of me sew for extended periods of time hunched over my thigh, focusing on the needlepoint and trying to be precise as possible. So I grabbed a coat-hanger with two clamps accustomed for hanging pants. At the salvage end I clamp it onto the pleats to give me something to pull against. I find this brings it up to a better working level for myself.

I also pin each pleat's folded edge and the two being sewn together. I use this as a general guideline when I get to the actual sewing. Usually I remove a pin or two above where I'm pinching, and get the precision line matching and proper spacing magic going. I imagine the pinning cuts into my time a little, but I don't care really.

I've got the Front apron basted, and 15 of the 27 pleats sewn so far. As relaxing as this Christmas break has been, today has been the only real kiltmaking one.