Hi everyone, after months of using this site and Barb's book for references and learning, I'm finally digging in and sewing my first kilt.

DISCLAIMER: So there's no confusion, a quick clarification. This first kilt is not for me, but my brother as a gift. I have plenty of material and will be making myself one once I finish his first. (Mine will be pleated to the sett however) My brother does not sew, has no inclination to sew, and lastly it is a Christmas gift for him last year (I'm a bit behind on time!) Yes, I have a part-time costume business, however this kilt has nothing to do with the business, is not being sold, nor I do not advertize myself as a kilt maker either. It simply places me in a unique situation and just wanted to state it up front.



The fabric I am using is a plaid I found at Walmart for about $2/yd, so I grabbed a good bit with the intent of using it as a cheaper material to attempt sewing a kilt for myself and my brother. It is not a true tartan, as it has a slight rectangular shape to the plaid but I felt it worked well to start. Here's a picture of it. The other major thing is the full repeat is incredibly tiny - just shy "3. It's a very busy semi-tartan but I felt the price was right for learning to sew a kilt.



This kilt, I've decided to pleat to the red stripe, but since it's such a light-weight material (appears to be a wool, or possibly cotton/wool blend) I'm adding a full repeat in each pleat to add some depth and weight to the pleats.

Once I figured out the measurements, the splits, and such, I began the basting and laying out of the tartan last weekend. I started stitching the pleats down and have 10 pleats done so far, with 21 left to go! Thankfully they're getting faster as I go and my fingers learn the steps. Here's a pic of the progress so far. Note, there is about a 1/32" shaping to the pleats which has been tricky because it's almost equal.



Note - I just realized that the one pleat about midway across is not perfect... the perfectionist in me is screaming to go back and restitch but I'm really wanting to let it be as in the overall pleats I think it will blend in and might relax some after pressing. Ideas? Suggestions?