My First self-made kilt: the canvas job goes public

**Alan H** · 2nd October 05, 04:47 PM

Pics, using that same sad digital camera that most of my other pics are taken with.......... I've washed this thing twice in Downy fabric softener. The second time I let the washing machine fill with hot water and then I poured in the Downy and pulled the lid of the machine up. I let it sit in Downy and hot water for 45 minutes before finishing off the wash cycle.. This is after soaking it in warm water and Downy for about 3 hours yesterday. And it's STILL stiff.... But, anyway....

PLEATS!!

I really needed to make one more knife pleat before I did the box pleat but I got confused. Then again, if I lose 25-30 pounds, it'll still fit, right? Here's the right side.

And the left side....

Many thanks to Rocky and Kelly of USA Kilts for making me a philabeg, which I more-or-less copied in making this kilt. Well, except for the amount of overlap of the pleats at the waist. And the box pleat. And the closure. And some other stuff.... Like a lot of other stuff, but let's not get picky, here.

Thanks to Steve from Freedom Kilts and Robert from R Kilts for advice in my canvas kilt thread while I toiled at this. It's by no means perfect, but I feel like for a first try, it's not half bad.

**Manu** · 2nd October 05, 04:51 PM

Hey Alan, it looks great. I couldnt done better myself. Is it hand-stitched or machine? Maybe one day Ill give a shot to kiltmaking...

**Alan H** · 2nd October 05, 05:02 PM

Machine-stitched all the way 'round. The only hand stitching is the velcro for the closure since I didn't want the stitching to go all the way through the waistband.

I finished the raw edges with an overlock stitch that my wife has on her nice Husquevarna machine, but aside from that, the whole thing was done with my mothers 1940's vintage straight-stitch-only Singer, on the living room floor (we have wood floors) and the kitchen table..

**GMan** · 2nd October 05, 05:03 PM

Alan,

I am very impressed! It looks very nice, however, am I missing seeing the belt loops? (I am notorious about missing things that are plain to see).

**millar** · 2nd October 05, 05:05 PM

Nice job. Great looking kilt.

**The Wizard of BC** · 2nd October 05, 05:07 PM

Just a hint.....sew down the pleats a little farther. Your Fell is about 1 1/2" to 2" too high.
That should take care of some of that wandering pleat effect you have in the rear.

Also your hip measurment seems to be off by about an inch. make your next one slightly larger in the hip.

That and with adding the one more pleat before the reverse and you will have one nice looking kilt.

Congrats, a good job.

**Eujeankilt** · 2nd October 05, 05:19 PM

Alan,

I think it's great. Nice job. I have made two kilts from thinner twill fabric and I won't wear the first one out. The second one has passed for a UK. I'd be very proud to wear that kilt. What's the next project? 8-)

Dale

**Alan H** · 2nd October 05, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by GMan

Alan,

I am very impressed! It looks very nice, however, am I missing seeing the belt loops? (I am notorious about missing things that are plain to see).

No, haven't done the belt loops yet. But I'm wearing it, anyway... LOL!

Steve, both you and Robert suggested I extend the fell to 1/3 the length of the pleats. I didn't get 'round to it, but I think I will, now. I also learned from this one, that the box pleat and the first pleat on the left side have to be REALLY deep. I made mine about 6 inches , maybe 6.5 and by the time the pleat gets down to the selvedge, that 6 inches has become only about 2 inches of material tucked in! I'm also going to make the A-Taper on the front apron more like 2.25 inches per side. I did 1.5 on this kilt.

I might rip out the box pleat, put in one more knife pleat and then the box pleat again. I'll have to join on another 5-6 inches of material to the under-apron if I do that, but that seam would be under the over-apron and not really visible, and what the hay... I've got pleanty of canvas. Or I might take this as powerful incentive to lose 30 pounds...*grin*

**Alan H** · 2nd October 05, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mowgli

Alan,

I think it's great. Nice job. I have made two kilts from thinner twill fabric and I won't wear the first one out. The second one has passed for a UK. I'd be very proud to wear that kilt. What's the next project? 8-)

Dale

Next project is a tartan kilt in PV or wool blend that I can get for cheap. I'll be doing it following Barb's instructions. After that....the X Marks kilt!