Hand-sewn "MacWerner Watch"

[Carolina Kiltman]

See, it looks great!

[bigdad1]

The rumpus she is hanging the kilt on is far more weathered than the tartan. As is the rest of the body. She does great work but is her own worst critic. She needs the "atta girls" from you nice people. Thank you!

[ChattanCat]

I think that what you have shown looks wonderful. For the pleats and keeping them straight, you might want to try sewing an inch. Repositioning the kilt an inch to keep it on top of the leg and tuck it back under the leg. Pull the pleat tight again with the right hand and with the left pinch and pull where you are going to sew. Then release the right hand and grab the needle to do another inch of sewing. Works for me but it is a bit awkard crossing the arms.

[sydnie7]

I think that what you have shown looks wonderful. For the pleats and keeping them straight, you might want to try sewing an inch. Repositioning the kilt an inch to keep it on top of the leg and tuck it back under the leg. Pull the pleat tight again with the right hand and with the left pinch and pull where you are going to sew. Then release the right hand and grab the needle to do another inch of sewing. Works for me but it is a bit awkard crossing the arms.

Thank you, and thanks for the tip.

However, I found myself unable to do the whole "cross your legs and sew at your knee" scheme that you and Barb T describe. Aside from the issue that Barb mentions in her book (I'm not overweight, I'm undertall!) there's the whole thing about eyesight. . . I'm extremely nearsighted, and none of my three current sets of glasses (general, reading, computer) allow me to see to stitch that precisely at that focal length.

My best stitching is done without glasses and the fabric held under my nose which meant no stretching of fabric, hence some pleat issues.

Next time (yes, there's already fabric for a next time!) I'll try using a big, maybe 8-inch magnifying glass I have that clamps to edge of table. But I still have to figure out some other way to hold the fabric taut.

Sigh. Being the blind, arthritic kiltmaker of Clan MacWerner is not all fun and games! But the flat bits of the kilt do look wonderful, it's just the pleaty bits that suffered, and anybody who wishes to inspect his rumpus at close quarters must get past me first!

[ChattanCat]

Thank you, and thanks for the tip.

Your welcome.

there's the whole thing about eyesight. . . I'm extremely nearsighted, and none of my three current sets of glasses (general, reading, computer) allow me to see to stitch that precisely at that focal length.

I am very nearsightedness also. I use my glasses (coke bottles) with bifocals and then put on a second pair of reading glasses.

But I still have to figure out some other way to hold the fabric taut.

I have seen some pictures of the last kilt kamp. On of the kiltmakers was clamping the kilt to the table with a clamp. Not sure if it works or not. See Gene at the kilt kamp.
Here is the kilt kamp thread:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/kilt_kamp_2008_scottish_tartans-t38031/index.html?t=38031&highlight=kilt+kamp

[sydnie7]

Thanks for that Kilt Kamp link! Barb mentioned the clamping approach and I may give that a try as well. Now to figure out how I can incorporate all that into my favorite stitching position. . . curled up in the recliner. . .

The next Kilt Kamp is going to last a month, just to accommodate my pace, right??

[Packhound]

Great looking kilt. It reminds me that I STILL haven't posted pics of my ALMOST COMPLETED first tartan kilt.

I better hurry. I plan to wear it Tuesday night to my Scout troop's Court of Honor.

[sydnie7]

Finally got a reasonable photo of the pleats. The horizontal wander is not permanent, just how it laid out at time of photo. Truest condition is down at the bottom, at line of hem basting.

Can you tell how bored I got with basting? I know, I know, it's a vital step in the process. . . but my Gawd, it is tedious

I've got the sporran-belt loops in place now but am waiting for arrival of belts and buckles. I was going to kluge some, but decided I have put too much time into this and went for some Highland XPress "real Scottish" ones instead. So those and lining must wait, probably til I am back from a short trip late next week.

Meantime, the pleats at last revealed (so to speak). . .

[Alan H]

Looking good!

[Daibhidh O'Baoighill]

I can't wait to see the finished product!!