Alt.Kilt

[Archangel]

I am interested in making them better.

I have been working mainly on demand basis and about a dozen have left my shop but honestly, I am no expert. I make them custom to each client and though most of my past clients own one or more other kilts, no one has given any complaints so I was interested in hearing the commentary here. Very helpful.

I feel that my photos may not be translating well because men's kilts do not fit will on curvaceous female dress form and I am waiting for photos back from clients to add them on.

What can I do better? What am I missing?

Well, there does seem to be a niche market for items like the monster truck kilt in adult sizes. Not for me, but I would look at a Batman something if you offered it and made some of the design changes mentioned. (I have that type of pleating on a kilt, I don't wear it out of the house.)

[techdragon]

Well, there does seem to be a niche market for items like the monster truck kilt in adult sizes. Not for me, but I would look at a Batman something if you offered it and made some of the design changes mentioned. (I have that type of pleating on a kilt, I don't wear it out of the house.)

If I may, what type of pleating do you mean? My kilts are done with deep knife pleats (which I was under the understanding that most urban kilts were done that way).

Also - I do any fabric choices. Not limited to something previously shown so something like Batman would be available.

[Archangel]

If I may, what type of pleating do you mean? My kilts are done with deep knife pleats (which I was under the understanding that most urban kilts were done that way).

Also - I do any fabric choices. Not limited to something previously shown so something like Batman would be available.

So, respectfully, I don't know the tech names for these things so I'll put the pics up and somebody can help us. What I'm looking at is the first pleat on the wearer's right side. That one ends up sticking out and there is a traditional way of making that first one "reversed" to prevent that.








Sportkilt uses a similar design and I'm always trying to pull the apron over more to cover that. It adds to the feeling of smallness of the apron and gives it more a flounce than a swish, (ha, I know some technical words).

Anyway, it's cool that you're asking question on how to make it better, not that I am THE authority. Wait for Hamish.

BTW, t-shirt logo is pretty cool, looks Japanese.

[Hamish]

So, respectfully, I don't know the tech names for these things so I'll put the pics up and somebody can help us. What I'm looking at is the first pleat on the wearer's right side. That one ends up sticking out and there is a traditional way of making that first one "reversed" to prevent that.








Sportkilt uses a similar design and I'm always trying to pull the apron over more to cover that. It adds to the feeling of smallness of the apron and gives it more a flounce than a swish, (ha, I know some technical words).

Anyway, it's cool that you're asking question on how to make it better, not that I am THE authority. Wait for Hamish.

BTW, t-shirt logo is pretty cool, looks Japanese.

Alas, I am no authority when it comes to kilt construction - I wish I were. I find pleat curl, perhaps not what we are thinking of here, intensly annoying, with sticky-out pleats running a close second! If I knew the answers, the problems would not exist!

To me, who has wonderful Utilikilts and Amerikilts (which Alt.Kilts most closely resemble) in The Kollection, I think this lady is wasting her time. Personally, I would not patronise her - especially if she cannot be bothered to present her creations in a neat and attractive condition! Actually, on a second viewing of her site, I do not think I care for the look of her kilts anyway.

[Mr. MacDougall]

I think this lady is wasting her time.

While Hamish has a lot of kilts, and receives widespread adoration on this site (one need only look at his recent post about his 78th kilt, and the responses to it to verify both), he's clearly not a diplomat, or a particularly foresightful individual.

We should never discourage new kilt makers, particularly those who are willing to learn to make better kilts, as TechDragon has shown herself willing to do. A blanket, closing statement like "this lady is wasting her time," is a slap in her face; I can think of few things ruder.

TechDragon, I hope that you will ignore this, and keep making kilts. Everyone started somewhere, and I think you're pretty brave to put yourself and your creations out there for people to look at and purchase. You may find it helpful to pick up Barb T's book The Art of Kilt Making, or even take a look at Alan H's instructions for making an X-Kilt. They may give you ideas about new and different ways to do things, which may result in a better overall product.

And I hope you'll stick around X-Marks. Several kilt makers participate here, and usually, our members are more polite than Hamish.