Pattern? Use Alan's instructions!

Originally Posted by
The Wizard of BC
And Please, please, wash your fabric first. At least a dozen times through a hot wash/ warm rinse cycle. With Blue Jeans Denim the warp and weft threads are different and shrink at different rates. If you do not pre-shrink your fabric you WILL end up with a pretty, blue, ballet tu-tu.
Each stitch line must be done with 100% Polyester thread too. Look at the side seam of a pair of blue jeans. See that puckering. that is what each line of stitching will look like very soon if you don't pre-shrink and iron each pleat every time you wash the kilt.
Can you tell I'm not a fan of Denim for kilts? Especially self-made ones. Everyone thinks that a kilt made from denim will feel like a well lived in pair of blue jeans when the exact opposite is true. Most denim kilts feel stiff and rigid. Cotton wrinkles, a lot, and must be ironed to retain the crisp edge to the pleats. You don't have legs inside tubes to force the fabric into a shape so must do it with an iron.
Only after repeated washings does denim start to soften enough to hang on it's own.
What he said!
but is a dozen times really enough? Maybe use a cement mixer with some sump rock for an all afternoon ride. Should be a little softer by then.
Link to Alan's instructions:
http://www.modelautoracing.com/kilt/X-Kilt_final2.pdf
I feel bad about not putting the link in originally-I'm hosting them for Alan! Oops!
Ray
Last edited by bunchdescendant; 23rd April 07 at 10:02 PM.
Reason: forgot link to Alan's instructions! Oops!!
"There's no such thing as magical ponies!"
Statement made by pink winged pony
with crossed axes tattooed on her rump
Bookmarks