Alt.Kilt

**Alaskan Kilted Guy** · 13th July 07, 10:45 AM

I am interested in seeing some reviews. I currently have one kilt and am looking at different options for a new kilt.

**Mr. MacDougall** · 13th July 07, 01:08 PM

Hey, TechDragon. I'm LJ's Cowboy_R. I'm glad to see you've come over -- if this thread had gone on much longer, I was going to point it out on your Men in Kilts entry.

**Archangel** · 13th July 07, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by techdragon

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.

**ozone** · 14th July 07, 07:36 AM

Techdragon,

So glad you came over to check out xmarks....I was the one that emailed you about these postings. You were asking about a reverse pleat. I found a website with this nice diagram to give you the idea of how the reverse pleat helps to keep the pleats from "kicking" out or flaring out. The part marked "double sett" is the location of the reverse pleat.

Incidentally, I measured the apron on my traditional kilts and they start at about 14 inches wide and spread out to 18 inches by the time you get to the bottom of the kilt by the knees. Of course, this would vary by waist/hip size etc. Also, I would refer you to the DIY section of this forum for some more kilt-making ideas.

BTW, here's the website that the picture came from: http://users.telenet.be/jbruyndonckx/kilt_making2.html

**fluter** · 14th July 07, 12:26 PM

from mild-but-steamy South Carolina. That is to say, a light rain has cooled us off.

Originally Posted by techdragon

You know how to make a gal feel welcome!

We certainly try. We have few enough ladies as it is, and a kiltmaker is always welcome. So, welcome aboard!

**Perldog007** · 16th July 07, 11:15 AM

Speaking as an olde battle scarred web developer, that site looks pretty awful (which is why I ordered from the wizard, his was dismal. I want a kiltmaker not a web developer to make my kilts)

So that is a plus. I would like to see the first pleat reversed, a little more width on the apron.

Having said all that, welcome to the neighborhood and best of luck to you!

**Hamish** · 16th July 07, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Archangel

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** · 16th July 07, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Hamish

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.

**Phicong** · 16th July 07, 12:39 PM

To Techdragon, info others. I am the proud possessor(?) of an Amerikilt and I would hope that your Altkilts would be better made than this one. It has a loose sewn serging stitch on the hem and the looseness of the threads shows. It has a normal tendency for the waist band to roll over (I am 178 lbs and 5'8") so not from a rolling belly. Lastly and the most anoying concern is the fact that almost never can I get the snaps to close without pulling on the apron fabric in a very visable manner. If I would be sure that your snaps on the front would not pull and look like %^$*, I will probably buy one for no other reason for my summer wear.
Gordon
The hippy in a kilt.

**Archangel** · 16th July 07, 12:55 PM

I've got to say that that was an unusually harsh response from Hamish. Don't think we've seen anything like that in the past.
My hope is that perhaps he missed the post where the maker is asking for advice and sounds like she is listening to the responses. That is a strong commendation of her potential.