Quest of the XKilt started in Texas

[Cale's Kilt]

My name is Tammy and as you can see from the subject line I'm from Texas. A friend of mine named Cale requested that I sew a kilt for him. So that is wherre my quest began. During my research regarding history, rules and designs I was lead to xmarksthescot. Where I found the fantastic directions for the XKilt. I have already begun sewing. Up until now I have not had any difficulty understanding the directions. But I am now at the section of Sewing the Inside Folds of the Pleats and I am confused. So here I am signing into the forum for help!

Did I also mention I am a fairly new self taught sewer....so I need layman's terms..hahaha! Thank you in advance!

[Chas]

Hello Tammy,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

I can offer no help with your kilt, but there will be others soon who can.

Regards

Chas

[sydnie7]

My name is Tammy and as you can see from the subject line I'm from Texas. A friend of mine named Cale requested that I sew a kilt for him. So that is wherre my quest began. During my research regarding history, rules and designs I was lead to xmarksthescot. Where I found the fantastic directions for the XKilt. I have already begun sewing. Up until now I have not had any difficulty understanding the directions. But I am now at the section of Sewing the Inside Folds of the Pleats and I am confused. So here I am signing into the forum for help!

Did I also mention I am a fairly new self taught sewer....so I need layman's terms..hahaha! Thank you in advance!

Welcome, Tammy! Sewing the inside folds of the pleats just helps to keep them in place the way you have pressed them. You should have already done the same thing along the outside folds (the ones that are visible when kilt is worn). Here you are doing the same along the inside folds (the ones that are not visible when kilt is worn). Because you have already done some stitching on the pleats, you won't be able to sew all the way from hem to waist along the inside folds. Just sew as far up as you can, then lock the thread (by sewing in reverse/forward/reverse for a few stitches) and move on to the next one.

Hope this helps, feel free to PM or post a more detailed question if I have misunderstood you!

[chewse]

Welcome Tammy from the Dallas-Fort Worth area!

[McClef]

from South Wales UK!

[Cale's Kilt]

Thanks to all the well wishers..hello!

Sydnie7- so I sew the outside edge of the inner fold correct? Also do i sew all the way down through the sewn hem? Does sewing the inside fold of the pleat interfere with the way the kilt flows or opens(I am unsure of the terminology. My friend that I am making this for is wearing it during his extreme racing(mud, running, mud,obstacles, more mud) and strongman competitions. I want it to open properly and not look like a school girl skirt tacked down...does that make sense? Thank you again for your speedy reply!

[McFarkus]

from Chicago. I'll leave the sewing advice to those who are more skilled.

[sydnie7]

Thanks to all the well wishers..hello!

Sydnie7- so I sew the outside edge of the inner fold correct? Also do i sew all the way down through the sewn hem? Does sewing the inside fold of the pleat interfere with the way the kilt flows or opens(I am unsure of the terminology. My friend that I am making this for is wearing it during his extreme racing(mud, running, mud,obstacles, more mud) and strongman competitions. I want it to open properly and not look like a school girl skirt tacked down...does that make sense? Thank you again for your speedy reply!

Yes, you sew the outside edge of the inner fold, as close to your pressed edge as possible. You are only sewing two layers together (until you reach the hem), and it's intended to keep that pressed fold from opening up.

Sew all the way through the hem if your machine can handle that many layers. Sewing within 1/8 inch or so of the fold won't make a big difference in how the kilt moves, but it will greatly improve the way the pleats stay in shape during extreme racing!

You'll have to post pics, this sounds like great fun (for somebody else, I mean ).

[Alan H]

Hi Tammy! Yes, you can sew down the outside edges of the pleats, from the waistband all the way down through the fold-over that makes the hem. If you want, you can even sew down the INSIDE folds for the pleats. That will really help keeping the pleats defined and sharp. Personally, I never do that but I have seen X-Kilts where it was done, and hey...it can't hurt. IT's just more work.

ABSOLUTELY post pictures of this beast of a kilt..and beast of a man in action!

BTW, I know lots of Highland Games athletes in Texas, mostly around the Dallas-Forth Worth area, so if Cale wants to give that stuff a try, just shoot me a PM.

Once Again..newbie sewer with minimal experience tackles the X-Kilt!!! Guid on ye, lass!

[Cale's Kilt]

Thank you guys for making it make sense!

And AlanH- I was to express my awe of your directions of the XKilt. Like I previously said I am a self taught sewer..which means the first time i opened an actual store bought pattern I quickly closed it after trying to read the "Greek" they called directions. I wasn't brave enough to reopen them until about a year ago...then Google became my best friend and translator of sewing techniques and terminology. I was a bit apprehensive about creating a kilt at my friends request but your instructions, details, explanations, pics and humor have really made it a pleasure to work on! I wish all patterns were written by you!

And I will definitely pass on the word to my friend about the games! And I will post pics when I get them!