How do I Make Flashes from Kilt Material?

[chasem]

I made a set of flashes to go with the last kilt I made. It wasn't as hard as I'd expected.

I cut a strip a little over twice as wide as I wanted each individual strip to be - with the desired stripe centered - folded them in half, and sewed it together along the long open side. Turned it inside out (sew that the stitching would be inside) centered the stripe, and pressed.

After pressing, I folded the top over the appropriate amount, and sewed it down to form the loop. I then cut the upside down v-shape out of the bottom and slid them onto the velcro. They're working great for me, but I'm trying to decide what I would do slightly different next time.

[turpin]

I made a set of flashes to go with the last kilt I made. It wasn't as hard as I'd expected.

I cut a strip a little over twice as wide as I wanted each individual strip to be - with the desired stripe centered - folded them in half, and sewed it together along the long open side. Turned it inside out (sew that the stitching would be inside) centered the stripe, and pressed.

After pressing, I folded the top over the appropriate amount, and sewed it down to form the loop. I then cut the upside down v-shape out of the bottom and slid them onto the velcro. They're working great for me, but I'm trying to decide what I would do slightly different next time.

I have some that came from the kiltmaker like this, and plan to use them as a go-by. The only thing different from what Chasem describes is that it looks like the folded-over end was also sewn shut prior to turning the seams inside and folding over the garter loop. If you can use a sewing machine on straight stitch the whole operation should take less than 45 minutes from cut to done. Sewing by hand would obviously take longer but would also work. Don't forget that when you sew the garter loops you also sew two flashes together at that same place.

[Rick]

I made a set of flashes to go with the last kilt I made. It wasn't as hard as I'd expected.

I cut a strip a little over twice as wide as I wanted each individual strip to be - with the desired stripe centered - folded them in half, and sewed it together along the long open side. Turned it inside out (sew that the stitching would be inside) centered the stripe, and pressed.

After pressing, I folded the top over the appropriate amount, and sewed it down to form the loop. I then cut the upside down v-shape out of the bottom and slid them onto the velcro. They're working great for me, but I'm trying to decide what I would do slightly different next time.

For lighter weight fabric flashes, I sew two pieces of fabric together, wrong side out. Then, I turn them right side out. This places the hem lines at the edges, when pressing. I then cut them straight across the bottom and fringe the fabric about 1/4 inch using a seam ripper. Finally, I top stitch just above the fringe to keep the fringe from growing longer.

Rick

[Warlock]

Excellent instructions. I'm inspired to make my own.