What's Your Sewing Experience?

[richardljohnson]

I saw this in Wal-Mart just the other day and was wondering if anyone had made a kilt out of it. If I may ask, how was this to work with? If you had it to do again would you use that fabric or something else?

I really appreciate any help you can give me on this fabric.

Thanks in advance,
KP

In the begining I used the cheap fabrice to practice. I developed 3 different way to 'fast kilt'. Good for 'around house' but not really public kilts. The camo kilts were fun to play around with and when wearing a camo out someone said to me "I didn't know kilts came in camo?" My replay was, "Yes, the Camo Clan is a little known Clan. We just blend into the background!" The guy thought on if for about 3 seconds then got it...he laughed so hard I though he would have an acident!

I have always been a 'start small and build' and 'do a trial run or two' kind of guy. Some people are the opposite. They will buy expensive material and take time and build their experience from there.

If you want to start with the Walmart method I would suggest a black or dark emerald green medium weight fabic. Remember, too light a material will 'parachute' in the wind and too heavy will not swing. The black or green will be wearable and most people when they ask about the kilt I would tell them I was of Scottish and Irish ancestry and it was common for Irish kilt to be a solid color.

Also, cotton material like most camo fabric will shrink and 'compact' after washing, so, I got about a yard then washed it to see how much it would shrink or compact down. After this I would then know how this type of material would behave. However, I was fooled on 2 occassions and the fabric would feel one way and after washing feel like a plywood plank! Totally unwearable or shrink down to a mini-kilt!

Hope that helps...

Richard-

[Jerry]

I'd like to try a Kilt, but my hand sewing experience is limited to hemming navy Dungarees, replacing buttons and sewing on rating badges and ships patches. I've tried a sewing machine, but the nachine has me down one fall, and is way ahead in a best of three falls match. Really, I can't figure how in the heck to make the thing sew a straight line? Any help would be appreciated.

[bubba]

Really, I can't figure how in the heck to make the thing sew a straight line? Any help would be appreciated.

It takes a little practice. You could lay a piece of masking tape across the bed to act as a guide and stitch somewhat slowly til you get the hang of it.

[davedove]

The camo kilts were fun to play around with and when wearing a camo out someone said to me "I didn't know kilts came in camo?" My replay was, "Yes, the Camo Clan is a little known Clan. We just blend into the background!"

I've got to remember that; it's great!

[tomcherv]

Well, when I was in junior high, all the guys had to learn how to sew. Didn't like it at the time, but now I'm grateful.

I've done mostly costumes with my sewing, but the ones I made when I worked at the Renaissance Festival were well constructed.

I did make my wife a fancy dress when she was expecting our first and we couldn't find anything suitable for the company dinner-dance.

So, I did have a bit of experience in sewing before I tried making my first kilt. It came out well, but I never really finished it. And now, I need to take it in about 6 inches before I can wear it.

[RockyR]

I still can't sew... I just have Kelly do all the orders and I pretend I did them to take the credit!

[Schultz]

I also had to learn how to sew while in high school and loved it. As a child, my mother always let me help her with sewing projects and it's something that I've retained. I'm not the neatest sewer, but can be if I make myself take the time to do it properly.

The other night must have been quite amusing at my house, as my fiancee was knitting and I was doing some repair work on a PV kilt. For two people who used to be hell raising bar crawlers just a few years ago, it was quite a change!

[richardljohnson]

I still can't sew... I just have Kelly do all the orders and I pretend I did them to take the credit!

Now the secret is out!

Richard-

[Alan H]

I still can't sew... I just have Kelly do all the orders and I pretend I did them to take the credit!

Har!!!!!!

You must pay that woman REALLY well....*grin*

[Shay]

Alright, you've shamed me into working back on that cockamamie cord kilt for cav. (Say that three times fast!)

I sew lots of stuff- my kid's always the one in the homemade-but-great-looking costume at Halloween- more a tribute to my mom's teaching than innate talent- my mom taught me to sew from patterns, but her 'on the fly' method of draping, cutting, and pinning gets me my best stuff. I sew some clothes for my daughter, mostly summer dresses. I've made dresses for myself as well, and I make curtains, rocking horse covers, you name it, I can probably bang it out. The only thing I don't do is suit-type fine tailoring, not that I can't, I just find it boring. I'm more challenged sewing by the seat of my pants.

You know those knitters that have yarn all over the house that they're waiting to be inspired by? Well, aside from my yarn stash, I also have fabric stash- I buy a lot of stuff on sale and then wait for it to be useful. Sounds crazy, but it works for me.

The first kilt I ever made was actually for my infant son, I had leftover fabric from tailoring an overbodice froma Ren Faire, and made him a little kilt almost as a joke. Then one day I got a bee in my bonnet to make my friend Fear a kilt, it turned out well, you can see a picture here. Then I started a kilt made of corduroy, but it's a pain in the *** to work with, and we've been remodeling our kitchen- my usual workspace. Now that we're done most of it (oh, will the cabinets EVER be painted?) I'm going to march downstairs and start working on the verdammt thing again, if only to get it out of my 'inbox.'