Questions about using canvas duck material

[way2fractious]

...cotton canvas duck... Should I wash this mat'l before I start?... Should I add some to the seat measurement so it won't get tight/pull the pleats when I sit?

I've made and wear both wool and cotton kilts. Second question first - Wool kilts do not "pull the pleats" because they have an undercarriage of special canvas behind the sewn pleats to prevent just that. First question - Yes, wash the cotton material once or twice in warm/hot water, perhaps even tumble it dry, and iron it flat again. Once the kilt is made, you will only wash it after particularly dirty jobs in warm water and let it line dry before touching it up with a hot iron.

[bunchdescendant]

Hello All-

Thanks for all of the input. I have created a binder with all the stuff I have found on the 'Net, so I added the above posts to it. It's getting full of good stuff.

Now that everything is clear as mud, I think I may be ready to try this. Or am I? Good thing I have a sharp seam ripper (confiscated the wife's).

OK, off to abuse the washing machine (apartment size) with the canvas (4yds X 60")

Ray
"Warning-mouse not found. Click 'OK' to continue"

[bunchdescendant]

Hello All again-

I finally got the other projects done (the job jar thingy) and finally got time to wash the canvas in hot water and used liquid fabric softener. The fabric now has a very nice hand and should do well.

BTW, the better half threatend bad things if I abused the home washer. Had to go to the laundromat and abuse theirs instead. :rolleyes:

Did the measurements and I am 5' 9" and 200 lbs. I wear a 36 waist p**ts but the waist @ the navel and the hips both are 40"-go figure. Yup, got no butt. Dad was the same way too. Guess that I just need a little spring-out in the aprons to look right.

I will post a blow-by-blow pics update as the hacking and sewing begin.

Ray (suffering from gluteus minimus)

[Pleater]

You'll need more space than your actual measurements for the hips as when walking you will need space for the movement - otherwise the fell will be constantly flexed.

This is not such a problem with a more flexible fabric, but with canvas you will need to make the fell wide enough to move inside of, or have your skin try to move under a tight layer of canvas. (ouch)

Look at what your measurement is when you sit down too - you wouldn't want the aprons sliding backwards and apart too often, which might happen if the fell is too narrow to go round when you are seated.

[bunchdescendant]

OK people, the cut/pin/sew stuff has begun-I have put a gallery up on my website for all to see. Just don't laugh too hard, OK? There is not much so far, I will add to it as I go.

http://www.modelautoracing.com/kilt/index.html

Thanks for all the support.

Ray

[Pleater]

That is a good old sewing machine.

I used to use the same model when making guitar cases and covers for cushions for caravans and boats and the like.

[Alan H]

The pleating looks good.