For a lady...a kilt in silk or satin

[Arlen]

I've seen kilts made of a wool/silk blend that were really nice.
I second the concern about holding a crease, but that could perhaps be dealt with by sewing all the way done the outside of the pleat as done in some of the contemporary denim/canvas kilts.


Good luck with figuring it out. It sounds like it will look great.

[JamieKerr]

I was at Joanne Fabrics today just perusing their supply. Being that it is fast approaching prom season, there is much in the way of silks and satins right now. I was also contemplating making a kilt of such fabric when I stumbled across this thread. My worry is that the fabric would be so light I wouldn't dare wear it out of doors. To combat this I was thinking of basically making an inner shell and an outer shell. The outer shell of the kilt would be made of the silkesque material. A second kilt would be constructed for the inside. The pleats would be sewed down at the creases, because I'm sure that the material would not hold a crease on its own. I think I would make the inner kilt ~3 inches shorter than the outer, it would be made of a similarly colored fabric, and fastened to the outer kilt via the waist band. Alternatively, the inner kilt would be completely attached to the outer kilt, though I think this would kill much of the sway.

[bonnie heather]

Thanks so much for the suggestions and comments.
JimB, thanks about the lining. Chattancat, thanks for alerting me that this fabric probably wouldn't hold a crease. Rex, thanks for your idea of using frogs. They would be absolutely beautiful and elegant. I like your other ideas, too. Tyger132, thanks for your comments on the frogs. Arlen, thanks for your good advice on sewing the pleat edges all the way down. Jamie, thanks for your idea about an inner kilt. I can't do that for this project because the swing and sway of the pleats is extremely important for highland dancing. Monkeyarms, thanks for your good suggestions. Actually, I was quite puzzled which category would be best for this thread. I thought the kiltmaker one really focused on traditional woolen tartan kilts, so not appropriate. I almost put it in the DYI, but then thought the Contemporary might get responses from people who use unusual fabrics. Is it ok to put this same thread in the DYI ? XMTS is such a wonderful forum and I love checking it out every day (although I'm still timid about posting).
Thanks so much.
...bonnie heather