A question for you folks that DIY

**JimB** · 6th September 06, 09:38 AM

Thanks Steve!
That makes me feel so much better. I'll go home and check of course, but if that's the case then I will definitely make the deep pleats.
Gotta have that swing!

Again, thanks to everyone for helping me think through this. I will post pictures I promise.

**chasem** · 6th September 06, 09:59 AM

also note that if that's the case, you probably won't need the full 11 yards ;)

and I'll second the reccomendation for Barb's book; it's a great help

**JimB** · 7th September 06, 06:27 AM

Southern Breeze and Chasem, I have ordered the book. Thanks for the recommendation

And thank you Allen and Wiz, your advice has been invaluable.
I'm feeling very confident about this since I checked my fabric and it's 56-57 inches wide. Apparently I have more than enough for the nice deep pleats.
My pattern is now firm in my mind and when I get back from Vegas next week, the book should be there and I should be ready to start.
I can't wait

What I can do today though, is go downtown and get a new kilt pin for it

**chasem** · 7th September 06, 11:57 AM

oh yeah, you'll have *plenty* of material for a good kilt with nice pleats.

Enjoy the book. I'd reccomend skimming through it once before actually diving right in ;)

**MacWage** · 7th September 06, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by chasem

oh yeah, you'll have *plenty* of material for a good kilt with nice pleats.

Enjoy the book. I'd reccomend skimming through it once before actually diving right in ;)

I'd say skim it a FEW times.

I was gonna recommend it too, but I was beat to it.

As a first kilt, I'd still say keep it on the short side. That 5.5 yards can make 2 kilts for the $$$, one a "casual" side/knife pleat and a box pleat. Matt can help on the box.

**JimB** · 7th September 06, 01:38 PM

I appreciate the suggestions.
I'm definitely looking at doing a box pleat for my second one. I have some black canvas that I'm reserving for that.

I decided a week ago to just jump in and buy two 5 1/2 yard lengths of fabric in different weights and colors. I know I can make two kilts out of it, maybe more.

I'm sure that I'll have a whole lot of stories to tell after the scraps have hit the floor and it's all over

**Alan H** · 7th September 06, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by JimB

I appreciate the suggestions.
I'm definitely looking at doing a box pleat for my second one. I have some black canvas that I'm reserving for that.

I decided a week ago to just jump in and buy two 5 1/2 yard lengths of fabric in different weights and colors. I know I can make two kilts out of it, maybe more.

I'm sure that I'll have a whole lot of stories to tell after the scraps have hit the floor and it's all over

If you want to do a "casual", narrow-apron box pleat kilt and crank it out reasonably quickly, check out my instructions on how to do an "X-Kilt".
If you want a traditional-width box pleat, my instructions are still worth downloading. You just change the pattern so that you have a full width apron and fewer box pleats.

BTW, I can make an X-Kilt, which has 3-inch box pleats, to go round me rump with about 4 yards of material (single width) and my bum is 48 inches.

**JimB** · 11th September 06, 11:23 AM

I appreciate all of your help and advice Alan.
I have already downloaded your article and I have read it several times.

I want a casual kilt but I don't think I want a narrow apron. Maybe that's because I've never really seen one in real life yet. But for now anyway, I'll stick to the traditional size.

Now that I've had a chance to calm down, I can see that I have plenty of fabric. I haven't started on the kilts yet, but that's only because I've been putting on the finishing touches to my jacket conversion. It's a charcoal harris tweed and it's coming along nicely.
I even found some celtic knot buttons that are really going to set it off.
Thanks for your help and that goes for everyone else as well