What's Your Sewing Experience?

[Oldpagan]

I have sewn two kilts so far. A couple of buddies that I run around with at pagan festivals started wearing kilts they had made. They are twins, and looked pretty well in them, I looked like the odd man out in shorts. So I looked online and ebay to see if I could buy one. Argh! I could not afford what I was finding at the time, so I called them up and asked how they had made theirs.
They said they had read a few web sites and just sat down and made them. Ok, I found a few web sites that had pages of information, and a few diagrams. I went out and bought a sewing machine for about a hundred bucks (didn’t dare risk screwing up my wife’s) and about 9 yards of a nice green wool blend tartan at the fabric store.
Two weeks later I had a nice kilt with knife pleats and a Velcro closure. It was an odyssey cutting and sewing it. The first time I broke a needle on the sewing machine I thought I had been shot. I broke three of them total in the course sewing.
It was a turning point when I first wore it. I found that I like the way it felt and the freedom it gave me. Later I was asked to take part in a wedding and to wear the kilt. I made a second one from the same fabric, only this time I used box pleats and knew a bit about what I was doing. Only took about a week to make it, and it looks great.
Now would I make one for someone else, or make a kilt to sell? Hell no! Based on what I have seen, the cost of fabric, and the time it would take to make on correctly it would cost me about $550 or better. How the guys and gals that have businesses selling kilts make a living is beyond me.
That’s why I have two Utilikilts, and an Amerikilt on order. I encourage anyone to learn to make one and do it at least once. It will make you appreciate what a deal you’re getting when you order one!

Blessings
Geary

[Riverkilt]

At 61 success is threading a needle

I did grow up in the cut and sew business, but that was all industrial sewing machines. Did take a clothing construction course in college over 40 years ago and made a shirt for myself.

Ever since have just done hand sewing, patching things, buttons, securing embroidered patches.

Have done some repairs on kilts. Did sew down the pleats in one of my old style SportKilts.

Do use a thimble sometimes.

Catch myself eyeing the cheap sewing machines at WalMart sometimes...

Concepts like thread tension, bobbins, etc. elude me.

I did buy Barbs book and it convinced me to invest in Kathy Lare's sewing talents rather than my own :-?

Ron