Critical appraisal Please

[beerbecue]

Hi Everyone,

As many of you know, I finished my first kilt, with a lot of help from Barb and the other folks here.

I would greatly appreciate any critiques you may have....

A few of the things I have to improve on...

1) get the dang fell the right length
2) increase length of kilt by about 1/2 inch
3) increase flare on apron

[Uncle Ricky]

Greetings Beer,
The kilt looks quite good to me, but since you'r asking, the only thing I could nit pick is that the horizontal lines need to line up better in the fell. Having said that, I'll be pretty happy if the kilt I am making turns out as well as yours.

Cheers

[Jimmy Carbomb]

1) get the dang fell the right length
2) increase length of kilt by about 1/2 inch
3) increase flare on apron

Are you kidding me?!!!

This is a first-time kilt, from a first-time guy... and it's without a doubt, the BEST that I've ever seen! Dude, you have me SMOKED with your first kilt!

1).The fell is 1/3 the length (or so)
2).The length looks fine, really. It's up to you.
3).The flare looks to be appropriate too. In going by the tartan pattern, you look to be on the mark.

You had better be REAL proud of that kilt my friend! You can wear that baby with immense pride, not only in the look but in the fact that YOU did it!

Here's one kiltmaker that's not only impressed... but quite envious of your speed in learning. 8)

[beerbecue]

Thanks Jimmy,

I took a lot of time on it, and so far numbers two and three are going a bit faster...

The fell ended up a bit long, as I mismeasured the hem, but it is only noticeable when walking (the swish really stops at the fell). I think I can fix that, as the steeking and lining are far enough over the fell that I can shorten it - when I feel like it.

The nicest thing about this kilt, is that it is fit for me... It really is nice having a custom fit. That and the fact that this is much heavier than I had thought it would be, almost three pounds - and that is with ~11 oz poly/wool. I like that feeling of substance.

I can't take all the credit on this first one. I used Barb's book, and it was a VERY good guide. I also asked Barb a few questions, and she was VERY friendly and helpful.

Thanks again!!

Now I'm really hooked........

[Jimmy Carbomb]

The best part about Barb is that she has the talent to make them, teach clearly, and share advise freely. A very rare combination!

IT's easy to get hooked on making your own kilts, ain't it? You can spend a LOAD of money to have some great looking kilts, or you can spend a little money and a little time to have an entire wardrobe of YOUR kilts. I prefer the latter.

I have five kilts that I didn't make... one caramel workman's UtiliKilt, a Grizzly-cut Maple Leaf BearKilt, a Grizzly-cut Cape Breton BearKilt, a black AmeriKilt, and an authentic hand-sewn Irish National from Scotland.

With your sudden/new-found skill, you can sit-down and make a kilt for any occasion. See a tartan that looks cool? Buy some and make a kilt. have a St. Patrick's party? Make a solid green kilt.

I'm currently making solid black kilts for my soon-to-be wife's Dad and his brothers. These large guys will all be kilted at the wedding. Since I can make them, there's no exhorbitant rental or purchase fees... which made this an easy "sell" to them.

See! There are many advantages to this skill!!!

[Avonlea22]

I took a lot of time on it

How long did it take to make?

[beerbecue]

I worked on it mainly on weekends. I did it little by little, but let's say 6 really solid weekends... If I think about it per kilt area, pleats ~45 minutes/per (33 total), aprons ~30 minutes/per for basting, ~ 1 hour/per for finishing, internal construction ~8 hours, ironing ~2 hours, so..... about 37 hours

This of course was with constant interruptions (you saw the picture of the orange cat? - he constantly wanted to lay on my lap on the kilt!), reading Barb's book several times before each step and during, and general attention distractions.

I think I can get the time down on the next ones....

[Big Paul]

Beer,
If that's you first stab at kilt making, I'm waiting with baited breath for the next ones!! You have done a tremendous job. Keep it up!