DIY Kilt #4

[kmehrtens]

The kilt looks good and can't wait to see it complete.

I saw that same fabric at Joann's this past weekend and having the same thoughts of picking it up to try my hand at a tartan kilt after making 5 simple solid color knife-pleated kilts. Just curious how much material did you buy, and if I can ask what is your hip size (so I can compare to my 36)? When you said, "I didn't use any basting pins to sew the pleats, but they are machine-sewn" did you machine sew the pleats from the hip to the waist?

What are people thoughts on sewing the pleats from the hips to the bottom, to make pressing easier vs. not? Similar to the way a X-Kilt is done. I have done this with my previous kilts and it makes pressing more simple and a cleaner look. I know this is not the traditional way, just curious.

[sydnie7]

[snip]What are people thoughts on sewing the pleats from the hips to the bottom, to make pressing easier vs. not? Similar to the way a X-Kilt is done. I have done this with my previous kilts and it makes pressing more simple and a cleaner look. I know this is not the traditional way, just curious.

I think it would interfere with/lessen the "swish factor." The stitching is useful on fabrics that don't take or keep a press (denims and such) used in casual and X-Kilts -- adds a vertical stiffness to each pleat. Seems to me that same stiffness on knife pleats of an acrylic or wool trad kilt would keep the pleats from swinging with each step.

[Nick the DSM]

thats cool, man! your on a roll!

[sydnie7]

I have the same fabric, thanks for the pics! Will help me decide how I want to arrange mine (probably much the same, with the strong red vertical inside the pleat).

I assume you are planning to hem it -- if so, any reason why you pleated before hemming? Or will you just let the fringe be your finish?

Lovely job so far on this and all your projects!

[meinfs]

I have the same fabric, thanks for the pics! Will help me decide how I want to arrange mine (probably much the same, with the strong red vertical inside the pleat).

I assume you are planning to hem it -- if so, any reason why you pleated before hemming? Or will you just let the fringe be your finish?

Lovely job so far on this and all your projects!

Thank you! I am enjoying creating the kilts (for myself and others).

Yes, I decided against using the strong red on the outside (although that would make for a nice change of color to gray when swinging.

I made the hem (after all the pleat-stitching).It wasn't so bad. I decided afterwards that I didn't like the selvedge on the fabric and also to reduce the overall length. The fabric came as 44" double-width and my drop is 20" (+2" rise) -- I split the fabric exactly down the middle. So there's no excess fabric that's why I got more than I would normally need.

[meinfs]

I think it would interfere with/lessen the "swish factor." The stitching is useful on fabrics that don't take or keep a press (denims and such) [...]

My denim knife-pleated kilt keeps its pressed pleats rather well. I think the pleat depth helps with it as well - the deeper it is the better it keeps the pleats. I used lots of steam and pressure while pressing the pleats.

[meinfs]

The kilt looks good and can't wait to see it complete.

Thank you - it's almost done.

Just curious how much material did you buy, and if I can ask what is your hip size (so I can compare to my 36)? When you said, "I didn't use any

I'm 37" at the waist and 41" at the hips. I think got 8 yds (just in case). I think I used up just over 200 inches or about 5.5 yds (for this 31-knife pleated kilt). With this lightweight fabric, I doubled up the under apron to add more thickness. It all depends on pleat depth, size, etc. My denim handsewn kilt used up 7.5 yds.

basting pins to sew the pleats, but they are machine-sewn" did you machine sew the pleats from the hip to the waist?

Yes I machine-sewed from the waist to the hips only (not down to the bottom of the kilt like in Xkilts).

What are people thoughts on sewing the pleats from the hips to the bottom, to make pressing easier vs. not? [..]

I like it on the Xkilt and it does make pressing easier because it's pre-pleated.