Making My First Kilt

[Stephan]

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Debbie,

I just thought I'd put a few things in perspective for you by making a few comments. I have 'the book', ordered it in June. Now unlike yourself, I had no real practical knowledge of sewing. Zilch! In preparation for my kilt making adventure I read the book very carefully to familiarize myself with everything from picking tartan cloth to pleating. Like you, I figured my biggest hurdle would be the pleats...and, it WAS! I'm not saying this to scare you off. Remember, you've been sewing for 40 years, right? After having received my tartan cloth (chose a Mackay-Modern Colours, 16 oz, single width, 8 yards from the House of Edgar)through the post, I used the rest of the summer to learn about how to identify the sett, the 'repeat' of the pattern....my intention was to pleat to the sett rather than the stripe. I actually chose the Mackay tartan because Barb suggested that it had a nice simple 'AB' pattern and a good choice for a first-time kilt making project.

I have to mention that everyone is correct to say that Barb is VERY helpful with all kilt making advice. I have had some seemingly pretty silly and newbie questions but she has always taken the time to answer, clarify and explain. Also, Barb has either authored a few helpful kilt making threads on this forum or has certainly contributed to discussions started by others. So, make sure you check them out.(Barb T)

As for the book, I suggest you actually follow every directive and advice it has to offer. It's human nature to try to find an easier alternative route when faced with a complication (such as pleating!) even when we couldn't possibly know the difference because of our lack of experience. In other words, because of my utter lack of practical experience in sewing or kilt making I had to follow the book faithfully. I had no choice! It simply meant that the blind(that's me) was being led by the far more knowledgable(that's Barb). For example, after MANY weeks of attempting to pleat and then ripping out and pleating and ripping out I thought there HAD to be an easier way or a special secret of some kind. Nope. Barb was very kind to reiterate all the advice outlined in the book. So now, after almost two months of constant sewing and ripping(very gently) without much success I seem to be getting the hang of it. In fact, it was only last weekend that I had decided that I was not happy with the state of my pleats - too wide, not straight, over-check wasn't lining up with the next pleat - and so forth. So, I ripped out all 12 pleats -again- and started over. It seems to me I've been sewing the same pleats over and over again for ever! I just finished the 19th pleat yesterday in a kilt that will have 25...woo hoo!

I'm already looking to order new tartan cloth and start the adventure all over again. Also, I'm going to see if I can attend a 'kilt camp' sometime next summer. So, I think you'll be just fine!!! I wish you much success, Debbie.

Stephan