Internal Front Pockets

[kmehrtens]

Actually I looked at the SportKilt's Boulder Kilt, but not too sure about the price ($125+$20 for pockets = $145). I thought I would take a crack at the X-Kilt first since I found the instructions to be step-by-step and pretty complete and being an Architect I can appreciate that.

[Jake_S]

There are a few members that have made pockets in the front, but most of us use either a sporran or a fanny pack.

Jake

[Makeitstop]

I just searched the forum and I couldn't find anything either. I'd certainly like some front pockets on my X-Kilt, but my understanding is that they are hell to make.

For the rear pocket, are you wanting the pocket inside or outside the kilt? Because one on the outside (like jeans) would fairly be easy, but an internal rear pocket would look better and shares the extra complexity of a slash pocket.

I'm no expert on sewing, but what I can tell you is that for front slash pockets, you need to make the hole, reinforce it so that it doesn't grow, and attach the material that holds everything. You may want to examine some pants pockets for an idea of how it should be constructed. Based on a closer examination of my pants, it seems like the basic structure should be a hole hidden behind the pleat, with the thin pocket material sandwiched in by a strip or 2 of the kilt material to reinforce the hole and hold the pocket material in place.

Beyond that, you also have to consider how it will all hang. I don't think I can help you much here.

Since I am making my own X-Kilt this week, and will be practicing my sewing with some extra material, I may try to make some pockets, and figure something out. If I get comfortable with it, I will probably add some to my kilt. If between now and then someone does post detailed instructions, that would be cool, but even on my own I bet I can make something that works. The upside of a kilt is that you can hide an ugly but functional pocket between the pleats.

[The Wizard of BC]

If I understand Alan's intent when he designed the X Kilt, it was to come up with something simple enough that a novice could handle with confidence.

As soon as you start putting in pockets you are getting into the realm of a full blown Contemporary Kilt. Take my word for it, pockets add a whole new element to kiltmaking. To get a pocket to hang correctly without disrupting the swish of the pleats, and to not show unsightly bulges is not an easy thing. It also adds a great deal of time to the process. I usually spend almost as much time on the pockets of my kilts as I do on the kilt itself.

But also, I'm not trying to discourage you from trying, I just want you to understand what you are asking for.

There have been no really good instructions for a pocketed kilt. That is why I am trying to write "The Art of Contemporary Kiltmaking". But I find I am not a writer. I could talk you through the entire process, I just find it hard to write it down.

[kmehrtens]

Makeitstop is right on where I am going with my question. I am looking for the rear pocket to be hidden and internal, with maybe a pocket flap.

[Makeitstop]

Makeitstop is right on where I am going with my question. I am looking for the rear pocket to be hidden and internal, with maybe a pocket flap.

Well, that should be easier than the front pocket, but similar in construction. Since it hangs straight down and will be against your butt rather than your legs, I would think the issue of the hang and swish of the kilt would be fairly insignificant.

[The Wizard of BC]

A rear kilt pocket is actually easier to make, but far harder to make right, than a side pocket.

Usually they produce a visible bulge when you put your wallet in. Then the bulge causes the pleats to hang funny.

If you do a pocket similar to some manufacturers you simply slice a line through the back of the kilt and the take a pre-made tube and serge one end of it to the edges of the hole. Once in you stitch up the bottom of the tube.

Sounds simple doesn't it?

In truth to look like anything else than a hole in the back of your kilt you should do a welted pocket. Now a welted pocket is the kind found in dress slacks. Even experienced sewers hate making a welted pocket.

Add to the already complex process the fact that you have to get a welt over and covering all the layers of fabric in the Fell and you usually end up with a thick bulgy mess.

I know this from experience. My first pockets we horrible.

[Erisianmonkey]

I'll second the jist of Steve's post: pockets are most definitely a pain in the pleats to sew. It doesn't matter whether I'm making a kilt, a skirt, or a shirt, pockets are the part of the project I don't like. I recently completed my first kilt with pockets. It took quite a bit to do. Had that been my very first kilt, I really think I might have gone off kiltmaking forever somewhere in the middle of it.

I believe my point is that you should probably get a kilt or two under your belt before trying to make pockets in them. I wouldn't call my first pockets horrible, but I had advice from Steve and experience with the other facets of making a kilt to aid me.

Other than that, enjoy making your kilt and do let us see how it comes out.

[Nick the DSM]

i guess thats why the kilt originally didnt have pockets, too much work to put in pockets.



PS

yeah yeah, i know that aint true.

[Makeitstop]

i guess thats why the kilt originally didnt have pockets, too much work to put in pockets.



PS

yeah yeah, i know that aint true.

Well, it is probably why internal pockets are less common than cargo pockets.