MacGillivray Ancient Hunting: 8yrd, 10oz, First time DIY Kilt

**Gilvray** · 2nd February 09, 06:04 PM

Well - after much stiching, blood (yes) sweat and tears (very nearly!) I finally got the kilt done. Before I say anything else I would like to thank:

Paul Henry (xmarker!) for his sound advice in times of need!
Barb (Queen of Kilts) for her excellent book - and wonderful assistance and guidance on this tartan journey!
My wife, Petra - for all those nights she let me leave her sat on her own as I sat stitching and reading and stitching in the study.

So I've never made a kilt before, not really done more than stitch the odd button before! I've learnt SO much along the way to making this kilt. The Ups and downs of kiltmakers - and only those who've ever had a go truly know - what a slave driver your first kilt can be!

I tried to get it done for Christmas but I bought the wrong canvas and only asked for help once I'd got a lot of it in - so it held me up and I put off the unveiling till Burns Night. Still I made in time and felt proud to have done it.

So - here's my kilt.... (and that's my Dad with me - in the MacGillivray Modern Red)

Here are a couple of bad photo's to show it some more.... haven't had time to get some nice ones yet

I also tried to keep a photo diary along the way - to remind myself I did it and prove that it really was all hand stitched by me..

also why is it when you show people a DIY job that they dont believe you when you say that its hand stitched...? Not sure if thats a compliment or not ;)

So anyway here is the diary....
Scary moment #1 - now RIP your tartan in half! Wow this seems like a lifetime ago - Oct 08 infact!

Marking out the apron

Stitching pleats and aprons

Basting the pleats

2nd post coming up.....

**Gilvray** · 2nd February 09, 06:17 PM

Apologies for the length of this - it's the pictures... but I hope they are of help and interest to someone along the way....

So where were we? Oh yes.... Scary moment #2 - take the scissors to your hours of work! and KEEP checking that your only cutting what you want/need to!

Making the fringe This was fun.... really felt like progress was being made!

Keep measuring for pleat creep and unnoticed creepage generally! and yes I suffered from it.... unpicked a few pleats early on but on the whole I think I got away with it - the end result was less than 1/4" out.

Stitch in the canvas. Lets just say that 1) I put the WRONG canvas in (its like a tent in the back of that there kilt!) 2) it was REALLY hard work and cost me days, aching fingers, (the blood I mentioned too!) and 3) its in and the lining is covering a multitude of sins!

oh and 4) thankyou to my mentors for sound advice!!! New needles and a latex glove pulled me through - literally!

Putting in Buckles... I can almost smell the heather and whisky from here!

Couldnt resist a bit of grafitti on my over thick canvas.... plus it'll be a nice little record for when someones picking over the kilt it in years to come (well hopefully they will - the canvas will still be there no matter happens to the rest of it!)

Time to press..... top band and lining in..... on the home straight!

Now - where is that large glass of Single Malt?

Phew..... big sigh of relief - much promising "Never Again" (well - time and whisky numbs the pain - so maybe....) and on with the wearing!

**Wolfgore** · 2nd February 09, 06:29 PM

Well, from my perspective it was well worth it.

It looks fantastic, great job.

You can definitely wear that one with great pride!

**BroosterB1** · 2nd February 09, 07:47 PM

Great Job! Maybe some day I shall have to courage to attempt such a feat! Speak in front of an audience of 5000, not a problem. Rebuild a 50 year old house, easy! Sew a great looking kilt like that, now that take brass!

Good for you! Looks fantastic!