Flaw in Tartan - how to work around

[Deesquared]

I'm happy to report that everything worked out!
The store manager went through the entire bolt, and was able to give me a flawless 3.5m cut. The selvedge was still a bit wonky, so I did get a discount on the piece.
It sounds like he had to send back a large portion of the bolt.

I've just finished all the pleats and the join, so hopefully it will be done before the first dance competition of the season!
I'll post a pic when it's all done.
Thanks for the advice everyone!

Dee

[Deesquared]

It's done!
I'm so happy that I didn't need to work around any flaws in the tartan. I have a hard enough time as it is...
I was not too pleased with my pleating, as I had a lot of stair-steps, but you can't really see it in the finished product.
The lining is just fabulous though!

I'm not sure why there is a line of puckering at the hips. I'll have to have a look at the steeking and the lining...


Yay! All done!

I love this lining! So fun!

[Barb T]

The line of puckers is undoubtedly due to catching the outside layer of the pleats when you did the steeking. Even if you just catch a tiny part of a tread of the tartan in the face of the pleat, you'll see a dimple in the back of the kilt. When you're doing steeking you have to check carefully and often for dimples. If you see a dimple, there's nothing for it except to take the offending steeking out and stitch again. No amount of pressing will remove the dimples. The other possibility is that you caught the tartan when you put on the lining, but that's less likely (although easier to fix!).

[Deesquared]

Yep, it must be the steeking. I had a look, and it's right at the level of where the steeking would be. It's so frustrating because I really didn't see the puckers until she put the kilt on. You can't see them if you just hold it up. I guess I'll be doing some deconstruction....

[plaid preacher]

Dee, it looks great! Dancers get such pretty colours.