Making my first tactical kilt

**CavScout19D** · 1st May 16, 01:06 PM

I am making my first tactical kilt. I plan on using this post as photo journal of my progress. Please feel free to chime in with any thoughts, opinions or advise. I would like to thank Alan H. for sharing his X-Kilt instructions. I also really want to give a big thank you to ratspike of Gryphon Workshop for sharing his hard earned knowledge and experience with me.

tacticalkilt1.jpg

tacticalkilt2.jpg

**CavScout19D** · 4th May 16, 03:51 PM

kilt2.jpg

I am starting to lay out the pleats

kilt3.jpg

Depending on how I look at it, sometimes it seems the lines are tilted. I am using a 6" X 24" quilting ruler. Is it my eyes playing tricks?

**ratspike** · 4th May 16, 07:27 PM

The photos are both shot at an angle and have some distortion, but my calibrated eyeballs think it looks fine. Camouflage fabric can play tricks on your brain with all the wonky patterns and shapes. If your hem is straight, and you're taking reasonable care to line up that ruler with said hem, then you'll be okay.

I do still owe you a few PM replies. I've been fighting with my internet connection all week, plus work has been crazy, but since today is my Friday I'll get on it tomorrow.

**CavScout19D** · 4th May 16, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by ratspike

I've been fighting with my internet connection all week

I've been experiencing a lot of internet issues both at home and at work this week as well. I believe it has to do with solar activity. The Northern Lights have been reported from Sweden to Greenland to Canada and across the far northern parts of the U.S.

**CavScout19D** · 16th May 16, 07:46 AM

Here it is so far. This was after I did a preliminary pinning to see if it actually fit.

kilt4.jpg

**CavScout19D** · 16th May 16, 11:04 AM

Now that I have a preliminary fit out of the way it's time for the really fun stuff (sarcasm) ... sewing.

I am making my kilt out of camo fabric and I wanted to make sure the pattern of the camo is orientated correctly so I had cut panels from selvage to selvage.

This is how I've joined the panels: I pinned right sides together and gave myself a one inch seam allowance and sewed my seam. I pressed my seam to better set the stitches and then pressed the seam open. Again, I folded right sides together and folded back one side of the seam allowance. I used my 6" x 24" sewing ruler and trimmed to about 3/8th of an inch the other side. I folded the untrimmed side over the top capturing the trimmed side. I pinned it all down and top stitched using a double needle. Because I wanted it hidden, I fold the seam allowance AWAY from what will be the nearest pleat. Here are a couple pictures

kilt6.jpg

kilt5.jpg

**CavScout19D** · 16th May 16, 05:07 PM

Since I did A-shaping to the over apron I was thinking of shaping the under apron. Am I over thinking this?

**ratspike** · 16th May 16, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by CavScout19D

Since I did A-shaping to the over apron I was thinking of shaping the under apron. Am I over thinking this?

Yes. I've never tapered the under aprons of my kilts and have never felt it was necessary. You certainly can if you want, but there's nothing to be gained by doing so.

**Pleater** · 17th May 16, 06:47 AM

Making the under apron wider, even by a small amount might be advisable if you do not have wide under apron pleats, or if the aprons tend to slide apart when you squat or want to step over an obstacle.

Having grandchildren myself, I have kilts which unfold like fans for modesty in any eventuality.

Anne the Pleater