Where?

[Hamish]

Now a tale from the other side of the fence! A friend of mine has been making his own kilts for some years, together with outfits for his wife and nieces. Mind you, his father was a tailor and so he knew one end of a pair of pinking shears from the other; he knew all about fabrics and he understands the mysteries of The Sewing Machine!! After much pleading from me, my pal agreed to show me how a kilt was built from scratch and to guide me through the process of making one for myself.

I already had a modern sewing machine (but never mastered getting the tension correct!!) and had produced little more than a couple of pillow cases years previously. I bought the other tools as listed by my friend, and the necessary length, plus a bit, of poly-wool tartan fabric. We set to, he did all the measurements and I shaped the front apron before starting on forming the pleats. At that point, I was left to continue on my own, with pages of handwritten instructions, formulae, diagrams, calculations, etc., etc. After wrestling with all of that for at least two half-days, I ground to a halt. The mathematics skills required were way beyond my capabilities - especially when it came to calculating the tapering of the pleats from the hips to the waistband and, at the same time, keeping everything straight! My pal, who lived some distance away, tried talking me through it over the 'phone. To no avail. He even came over for another day-long session to help, but I got very little further forward. A week or so later when I called him to break the news that I was giving in, he casually dropped the statement into our conversation, "Oh well, of course, you do need to be both a mathematician and an engineer!" Now he tells me! But I believe I had already come to that conclusion, and I never was nor ever would be either. I spent hours on the basting stitches alone, and was told that they were truly professionally executed, but that's as far as it went.

A few months ago, I bought Barb's book thinking I would have another go at the project, but I just cannot bring myself to make a start - although it is a superb guide to The Art, and must be a gift to those with talent.

You will try, I know it, and I wish you all the luck in the world - which you probably will not need as I believe I am the only man on this planet to whom numbers, like computer operating, means absolutely nothing.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Way too long of a story, but my latest instructors were all retired LONG-TERM makers with B&S, HR and HoE. All told, their combined experience exceeded 140 years. They now make other garments for a company that's near-and-dear to me (not all kilts) and have vowed to expose the frauds in due time. There are some really poorly made kilts out there that are made under the guise of "modern kilts". They are working with their old employers to build-up a case against the pretenders. These are the very folks that I just HAD to learn from.8)

[mudd]

Way too long of a story, but my latest instructors were all retired LONG-TERM makers with B&S, HR and HoE. All told, their combined experience exceeded 140 years. They now make other garments for a company that's near-and-dear to me (not all kilts) and have vowed to expose the frauds in due time. There are some really poorly made kilts out there that are made under the guise of "modern kilts". They are working with their old employers to build-up a case against the pretenders. These are the very folks that I just HAD to learn from.8)

What? Is this some kind of code talking? :confused:

[way2fractious]

There is nothing as rewarding as making your own kilt and wearing it whenever and wherever you wish.

My backpacking gear evolved over the years from blue jeans to Dockers to shorts made from Dockers. Then the Mountain Kilt ads appeared, though it is really a wraparound skirt, and I got thinking I could make my own kilt to use outdoors.

The online instructions, a $20 piece of uncoated upholstery cotton denim fabric (approx 2.5 yds in large block check), and needle and thread were all the physical necessities. It helped immensely to have a well-made kilt available for inspection because what you really need to understand is the geometry of the angles of the folds and the tapering in the sewn portion of the pleats. The importance of the hip measurements (split front and back) and the fell line was indelibly impressed on me during that first, faltering attempt. I must have sewn, ripped out seams, and resewn portions of that kilt about three or four times before completion, but the lessons learned were invaluable. I still wear my original kilt sometimes because it is terribly comfortable and I never worry about it getting dirty, wet, torn, or anything else.

Three practice kilts of this nature gave me the confidence to buy some of the expensive tartan and Barb T.'s book and make my own hillwalker, which means that some of Barb's detailed instructions needed to be amended slightly (that's why the confidence is needed.) It turned out wonderfully and is worn proudly at all the appropriate functions.

Since then, I have made a couple tartan kilts on commission, and lots and lots of cotton and cotton/poly kilts for myself. My closet is being taken over by them. I basically stay with the traditional full aprons. The fabrics I choose are usually in the various camos, tropical patterns, southwestern geometrics, or solid colors.

But, I feel some more experimentation coming on, such as side pockets, two-tone kilts, something done in leather, etc. The possibilities are as endless as the enjoyment. At this rate, I'll never learn to play the bagpipes.

Let us know how it goes with you.

[mddock58]

Welcome to the Asylum!

We're all Kilt-Crazy! (Some more than others)

[Riverkilt]

I sure admire you guys and gals with "the gift."

Think I'm on Ham's team.

After buying Barb's book with the best of intentions I decided to sew down the pleats of one of my gathered SportKilts...after hours of fumbling, it looks like what it is, an attempt by an old man to learn to sew...

That was the end of that.

Ron

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

...Think I'm on Ham's team...

Ron, have you told your daughter and your lady friend? Not that there's wrong with that...












Sorry, no offense to anyone, I tried to resist posting this but could not!

[Riverkilt]

Silly boy!

I do have the highest respect for Ham and if I were gay would be knocking on his door.

Always figured that when I got old and the money ran out that I'd read up on that lifestyle, then take a realistic squirtgun into a bank, pass a hold up note, get sent to a Federal prison, and live my days out there. No rent, reasonably palatable food, they serve Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and have sweat lodge. Probably would take a lawsuit to get the right to be kilted in prison though.

Funny, at work I'm assigned the gay and lesbian clients to work with. Most of my peer therapists are LDS faith and can't abide that lifestyle. I'm happy, enjoy their fun outlook on life.

Last June, went alone and kilted to the Albuquerque Pride Festival, had a fun time. Love the free spirit! Always feel the true freedom of this great land at Pride Festivals.

I may not be on the team, but I cheer for the team ;)

Ron