California Kilt Camp

**way2fractious** · 30th March 06, 05:20 PM

How am I supposed to wait clear until August!? Let's see... April, put in place all logistics for a two-week cycling tour in June; May, train for the tour; June, take the tour; July, block out the whole month for year-end close and audit at work. Then it will be August!

Originally Posted by Pleater

Just keep sewing - thats the only way to keep your head above the level of the cloth - at least that is what I am finding.

You're right, that's the only way to fight the wait. The project that has captured my attention is a kilt (of course!) with a patchwork leather apron and military box pleats in a lightweight cloth. I have found that my hand stitching has gotten more consistent, and I'm not afraid to tackle the twenty 1-inch pleats. Pics will follow shortly as I try to document my process for pressing in the seemingly impossible pleats. (I did a small practice piece using a cotton non-tartan plaid, pleated to the stripe. It came out looking very good, too.)

Originally Posted by Pleater

Maybe in future years kilt making could be included as a craft skill to learn at Sidmouth.

How are you supposed to get any rest at the fair if you start thinking along the lines of becoming an instructor or demonstrator? Won't that take away from your sewing time?

**way2fractious** · 30th March 06, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Sherry

Tho't some of you might be interested in this.

Thanks a lot, Sherry!! Who woulda thought that your short post, in small script, could cause such pain over an extended period?

Actually, were it not for your post, this would have gone right past me. It was a happy discovery to find that kiltmaking is taught outside the borders of Scotland. That would be an expense I simply could not afford, but this camp is something to look forward to. Thanks.

**way2fractious** · 3rd August 06, 10:29 AM

The jonesing is over... the wait is finished... stage fright takes hold now.

Elsie called me yesterday to talk me out of using the X Marks The Scot tartan for my "first" kilt made with her traditional methods. I gather that her reasoning is to go with first class material from proven mills, tartans that she has worked with before. Why throw unknown variables into the procedures just being learned?

Fair enough, says I. I have two or three kilt lengths of other tartans, all from Locharron mill. So I'll go with Weathered MacLaren 16 oz pleated to the stripe.

Not to worry, the XMarks tartan will follow shortly after... honest... even after reading Steve's advice to aspiring kiltmakers. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...4&postcount=14

Wish me luck. (Oh... oh... <hyperventilate> What to wear? What to wear?)

way2fractious (a.k.a. grasshopper)

**Kiltman** · 3rd August 06, 04:57 PM

Where does one findout about kilt kamps? I'd love to go, to learn. Too bad this camp is so soon and begins on the date of the Spokane Highland Games—you knew I had to get that in.

**Alan H** · 4th August 06, 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by way2fractious

The jonesing is over... the wait is finished... stage fright takes hold now.
So I'll go with Weathered MacLaren 16 oz pleated to the stripe.

Not to worry, the XMarks tartan will follow shortly after... honest... even after reading Steve's advice to aspiring kiltmakers. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...4&postcount=14

Wish me luck. (Oh... oh... <hyperventilate> What to wear? What to wear?)

way2fractious (a.k.a. grasshopper)

You KNOW I'm going to have to see this when you're done with it....*grin*

**way2fractious** · 4th August 06, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by Kiltman

Where does one findout about kilt kamps?

I'm not sure how to answer your question directly.

The original message was posted January 30th by Sherry, who seems to be one of our official "news scanners." This particular camp is sponsored by a pipe band and accomplishes at least two things: 1) raises funds for the band and 2) allows participants to become kilted more easily by developing kiltmaking talent. It has been run annually for a few years, so it may come around again next year.

Also, the Vancouver kilt kamp for XMarks, originally contemplated for June 2006, has been moved off to 2007. (See
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...3&postcount=12)

I'm guessing there might be more training of this kind in Canada rather than the U.S., so you might look northward.

**way2fractious** · 4th August 06, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

You KNOW I'm going to have to see this when you're done with it....*grin*

I wonder if I can talk Elsie into letting me do military box pleats on those stripes?

**Barb T** · 6th August 06, 04:38 PM

I love Elsie to death, but she is single minded and has only one way of making kilts. My advice is to do the kilt her way - you will never learn from someone better with more experience!!

Barb