My first attempt at kilt-making

[Kid Cossack]

Sha-ZAM!

That looks like you did everything right from the get-go!

Regarding working with tartans, particularly worsted wool---try it. The sooner you try it, the sooner you'll realize what a fabulous fabric it is to work with. Check out Fraser and Kirkbright---right now they've got five meters of Saskatchewan tartan on sale. http://www.wooltartan.com/tartans5.htm

You will LOVE working with worsted wool. When I got into kilting, I was convinced--convinced!---that there had to be something better than wool. I worked with denim and poly-cotton blends and, umm, some even sillier stuff. Then I tried worsted wool (and tweed), and I'm a changed man.

You got your skillz on!

[meinfs]

I think that kilt looks AMAZING! How heavy is the fabric, and how much of it did you use? I love my denim X-Kilt, and a tank like that looks to be good.

Also, the lighter color denim and the fringe really make that thing look excellent. Congratulations sir, on making one fine piece of clothing. You should be very proud.

Thanks for the comments! I love the lighter blue as well. The fringe is doubled - per Barb Tewksbury's recommendations. My friends love it.

I used 7.5 yards with 21 pleats of 1" pleat. 12 oz denim.

Thanks!

[meinfs]

Can I ask where you found that book? And, great job on your kilt. Very tidy!

I ordered it directly from Barb's publisher: www.celticdragonpress.com/.

Excellent book, highly recommended for traditional, handsewn design.

[meinfs]

Meinfs, that Kilt is AMAZING

I sew an Xkilt with solid color and trying to finish a "guatemalan tartan" with knife pleating.

Your right about the helping lines of plaids.
But the apron is more dificult becouse of plaids and knife pleating.

You mention that was the hardest part of the process.
Can you comment a little more about the apron. How you cheat? I want to cheat too!


Excellent job, sir. Only you could tell that is a first atempt!

Andres

I love your xkilts as well!!!

I "cheat" or shall I say "work around" on the apron shaping by pulling and re-pressing the apron so that it doesn't curl outwards (or curls less). I put on the kilt (in progress) and determine how much it curls out and I try to determine where I should put the crease line on the front apron pleat. This has the effect of widening the apron.

After I finished the whole thing, I also thought that if I added another half an inch to my original hip measurement, there will be less "tug" on the bottom of the fell (the point where the pleat stitching ends). ...

Email me so I can tell you more about it, if you wish. Thanks for the compliments!!

[meinfs]

Excellent, I just got Barbs book too. Actually she was standing next to me when I bought it at the STM's Taste of Scotland. He he he...

I haven't decided what tartan to use for my next kilt. It might be Glasgow!

Good for you. Wish I could meet her as well - and get her to autograph my copy of the book! :-)

[meinfs]

Sha-ZAM!

That looks like you did everything right from the get-go!

Regarding working with tartans, particularly worsted wool---try it. The sooner you try it, the sooner you'll realize what a fabulous fabric it is to work with. Check out Fraser and Kirkbright---right now they've got five meters of Saskatchewan tartan on sale. http://www.wooltartan.com/tartans5.htm

You will LOVE working with worsted wool. When I got into kilting, I was convinced--convinced!---that there had to be something better than wool. I worked with denim and poly-cotton blends and, umm, some even sillier stuff. Then I tried worsted wool (and tweed), and I'm a changed man.

You got your skillz on!

Thank you very much for the complim ents and the info. That website is great.

Denim was not too too bad to handle. Although, it was harder to push/pull the needle through. My arm really got a good workout. Yes, my arm and not just my hand. Try a pinching motion with your thumb and pointing finger and press the fingers against each other--- you'll see muscles moving between the wrist and the elbow :-)

[Mipi]

Thank you! It's not perfect but I'm very proud of it

Nothing is perfect and those unperfections usualy only you can see. Great job!!

[David Dalglish]

Very nice first kilt

[beloitpiper]

You're not a regular seamster? That kilt looks professional!

[Marshal Moroni]

Amazingly Brilliant!!!! Well done. I only wish I had the nerve to give it a go, perhaps I will, now.

Cheers,

Marshal Moroni