First attempt...

**Barb T** · 5th October 06, 12:51 PM

Sounds like you're doing really well so far! I'm glad to see that Turpin mentioned the thimble thread - it's a really easy thimble to make and very comfortable to use.

B

**beerbecue** · 5th October 06, 01:37 PM

I usually end up using a band-aid and tape for a thimble......

**Kilted Taper** · 10th October 06, 07:48 AM

Just a quick update...I now have 12 pleats done and need to join the two pieces together. I thought getting the pleats started was confusing...I've read over the join directions several times and I'm still unsure what I'm doing. Maybe if I read while I'm trying to do it it will make sense, instead of trying to visualize in my head. Here are a couple a pics:

Full shot:

Pleats:

I had to hold it up against me last night, just to see it and I'm slightly scared it's about 1/2" - 1" too long. Held it up against my X-Marks and it confirmed it was longer. Not sure I want to go back now and make that adjustment.

**chasem** · 10th October 06, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by Kilted Taper

Just a quick update...I now have 12 pleats done and need to join the two pieces together. I thought getting the pleats started was confusing...I've read over the join directions several times and I'm still unsure what I'm doing. Maybe if I read while I'm trying to do it it will make sense, instead of trying to visualize in my head.

I had a hard time wrapping my mind around that too. However, I eventually figured it out. My first one had a terrible join, as I just sewed the two ends together due to not having wrapped my mind around the concept. My second one had a proper join, and it's not too hard once you realize what's going on.

Initially, though, you just sew the next pleat as though it were part of the same piece of material. Just line it up and sew, the same as you have the rest of the pleats. You'll come back later to stitch the excess fabric of the join together.

**Kilted Taper** · 10th October 06, 08:52 AM

So...if I understand you right...Just go ahead on with the second piece of tartan and join after I've finished all the pleats?

**chasem** · 10th October 06, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Kilted Taper

So...if I understand you right...Just go ahead on with the second piece of tartan and join after I've finished all the pleats?

yep, pull the tartan out and simply line up the next pleat as you have done all the others. You'll have two loose ends of tartan on the inside until you do the join later. Just be absolutely sure that you have at least one sett repeat in there, so that after you stitch the join the pleat will be the same size (or very close to the same size) on the inside of the kilt.

**Kilted Taper** · 24th October 06, 09:01 AM

Finished all the pleats on Sunday night, and started the join last night. Once I actually got into it, the instructions in the book for the join made a lot more sense. Still having issues ripping though. My ends in the join are very frayed but that will be well hidden once it's finished.

Measured the pleats on the hips and waist. I'm off about 1/2" on both. Don't think I want to go back and redo them all again. But now I know for the next kilt to be a little more careful with paying attention to that.

This has been a really enjoyable little experiment/experience. I've really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to doing more.

**turpin** · 10th October 06, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Kilted Taper

I had to hold it up against me last night, just to see it and I'm slightly scared it's about 1/2" - 1" too long. Held it up against my X-Marks and it confirmed it was longer. Not sure I want to go back now and make that adjustment.

if you haven't yet constructed the waist, can't you cut length from the top without removing pleats?