First DIY kilt underway

[David Thorpe]

Fabric arrived today for my first DIY kilt. 4 metres of Canadian Navy in light PV. Rather small sett - about 3". I plan to pleat to the red stripe using every other one for about 3" deep pleats. Really funky selvege, so it will have to be hemmed.



I'll be happily busy for a couple of weeks...

[David Thorpe]

Pleat mockup (yes, I know that they're backwards).

[ChattanCat]

Well done!

[dea3369]

Fabric arrived today for my first DIY kilt. 4 metres of Canadian Navy in light PV. Rather small sett - about 3". I plan to pleat to the red stripe using every other one for about 3" deep pleats. Really funky selvege, so it will have to be hemmed.



I'll be happily busy for a couple of weeks...

If you don't mind, what instructions/directions are you using? I believe I've gotten brave enough to make (build???) my first tartan kilt -- been "stuck" on solid-color kilts until now. Also, where can I get a copy of those instructions/directions?

Thanks.

-- Dennis
Dayton, OH

[David Thorpe]

If you don't mind, what instructions/directions are you using? I believe I've gotten brave enough to make (build???) my first tartan kilt -- been "stuck" on solid-color kilts until now. Also, where can I get a copy of those instructions/directions?

Thanks.

-- Dennis
Dayton, OH

Copied from another thread...
Barb T.'s book, The Art of Kiltmaking would answer most, if not all, of your questions. It is an invaluable tool for building your own kilt. Don't pay $125 for it on Amazon or Ebay though. Highland X Press and Celtic Dragon Press both have it for $35.

Dive in... the water's fine.

[David Thorpe]

Got rid of the awful selvedge today. Used Stitch Witchery in a 1" by 13 yard roll to fuse a hem. It came out really nice -- completely undetectable from the front side. Ready to start pleating tomorrow!

[dea3369]

Copied from another thread...
Barb T.'s book, The Art of Kiltmaking would answer most, if not all, of your questions. It is an invaluable tool for building your own kilt. Don't pay $125 for it on Amazon or Ebay though. Highland X Press and Celtic Dragon Press both have it for $35.

Dive in... the water's fine.

Thanks. I think I will take the plunge.

[David Thorpe]

I ripped out the second pleat 6 times before realizing that the problem was in the fold of that pleat under the first pleat. Doh!
On the upside, in the process of weighing alternative options, I have come to a pretty comprehensive understanding of the whole number/size/depth/yardage aspects of pleating.
I also learned that at least at my current, very limited skill level, 7/8" pleats are not compatible with the blunt war clubs on my hands euphemistically called "fingers".
Learning is always good, even when it's slow.
My appreciation and admiration for all of you real kiltmakers is growing by leaps and bounds.

[ChattanCat]

Keep practicing, you only have 20 or 30 more times till you get it down...

Cheers,

[jhockin]

Keep practicing, you only have 20 or 30 more times till you get it down...

Cheers,

.. sure signs of KMM! (from one with it to another advanced case, about another potential "sufferer" )