At Long, lo-o-o-o-ong, long...did I say "long"..last

**Alan H** · 24th September 12, 11:25 AM

I am finishing up my MacNaughton, ancient kilt.

JHockin will remember when we ordered this stuff. It was at least four years ago. I've made several other kilts since then, but just never really got any momentum going on this one. I'm doing it pretty much "by the book" with *very* few "shortcuts".....aka machine-stitching. The thing has sat in it's bag for months at a time, but when the Luminous Joan was in surgery for her hip this past Spring, I was sitting in the waiting room for 5 hours. I essentially finished up the pleatin during that time and that got me "going" again. Sort of.. Last week I finished the last three pleats....31 of them.

This morning I finished the reverse pleat, and trimmed off the excess for the under-apron and finished that edge. I turned up a bit of hem at the lower corner of the under-apron and stitched it. I finished the right-hand edge of the over-apron and slipped in a second layer of tartan, which is now fringed, so the kilt will have a subtle double-fringe.

Still to do...

cut out the pleats
steeking
make the fell stabilizing strip and sew it in

hair canvas under the upper 1/3 rd of the over apron.

Load-bearing waistband strip
waistband
buckles, straps and leather.

pressing

I've sworn to myself that I WILL wear this kilt to Burns Night. That's a long 'ways out, but I WILL NOT SLACK OFF. I'm going to use this DIY thread as a motivator. If more than a week goes by and I don't update it, it's up to you guys to mercilessly harrass me until I get back TO it.

Besides, when this is done, I have a kilt skirt to make for Bethany and a kilt to make for Garrett,and I really want to get these done before Burns Night, as well.

There will be one last Alan H Peacock Picture Post when this is done. It will feature the J. Higgins jacket and waistcoat, some absolutely KILLER hose that Mrs. Farlander is knitting for me, my nifty new hunting sporran which I am antique'ing the cantle (much too " chrome-ey) and this kilt.

**auld argonian** · 24th September 12, 01:07 PM

Bravo on your perseverance! Look forward to seeing photos. You're a better man than I am...I've got Barb's book and a bundle of the old Fraser and Kirkbright Xmarks tartan sitting in a dresser drawer and I have to admit that I have thought many times about just farming the work out...

Best

AA

**Thomas H** · 24th September 12, 01:28 PM

Awesome ! looking forward to seeing all that . I know you would not let us down .

**Aspiringloser** · 24th September 12, 01:51 PM

So, like, how 'bout some work in progress pics?

**TheOfficialBren** · 24th September 12, 02:26 PM

Excellent, Alan! I look forward to seeing your kilt.

Best wishes to your wife's health. I hope her recovery is swift.

**usonian** · 24th September 12, 02:38 PM

I know how projects can stall... and how easy they are to put off if the deadline is still several months away. I started my first "practice" kilt last December and didn't finish it until the end of April. And now I have some tartan that's been waiting to be turned into a box-pleated kilt since July.

Still, it sounds like you're on track to have that finished by January! And as they say... progress photos or it didn't happen.

-A

**David Thorpe** · 24th September 12, 04:11 PM

You tryin' to say that it was MacNaughten Modern when you started it?

Look forward to seein' the pics. Stay strong. Lots of details take time, and anticipation can drive ya nuts if you let it.

**MacMillans son** · 25th September 12, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

If more than a week goes by and I don't update it, it's up to you guys to mercilessly harrass me until I get back TO it.

Is it possible for me to get a waiver? I'd like to mercilessly harass you regardless of your progress on the kilt.

**Alan H** · 25th September 12, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by David Thorpe

You tryin' to say that it was MacNaughten Modern when you started it?

.

This.

SO so so so this.

**Alan H** · 26th September 12, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

Is it possible for me to get a waiver? I'd like to mercilessly harass you regardless of your progress on the kilt.

gopher it. I need some motivation!!!

Actually, this morning I cut out, trimmed, zig-zagged the edges of (so it won't fray) and installed the hair canvas that goes under the over-apron. This is a very short little project, but I didn't have much time and I did SOMETHING, which is better than doing nothing.

I need to go to Joannes and get some actual canvas for the fell-reinforcing strip.