Jean button X-kilt?

[long_hand]

Hi all,

Ok, so I've decided that as my first DIY kilt(or rather MUG) experience, that I am going to go for an X-Kilt or something similar. Perhaps an X but with knife pleats instead. I am planning on making it more along the lines of a contemporary so that it will hang on my hips. Now here is my thought, question, concern, what have you: I am thinking that instead of straps, velcro, or snaps to do jean buttons. Has anyone done a kilt with jean buttons instead of the other closure systems? If so how did it turn out and do you have any pics? I am using an 8.5 oz khaki twill btw and I am thinking of finishing the front panel off with some fashion tartan fabric to spice it up.

~Shawn

[HeathBar]

That would be a lot of material to do a buttonhole through. You could have 6 or 7 layers to go through depending on how you do the waistband. I would test it with your machine. If you are using a machine to do the button holes. Also if your waistline goes up and down, you might want to consider multiple buttonholes.

Let us know how it comes out. And post some pics.

[jeremy j starche]

Hi all,

Ok, so I've decided that as my first DIY kilt(or rather MUG) experience, that I am going to go for an X-Kilt or something similar. Perhaps an X but with knife pleats instead. I am planning on making it more along the lines of a contemporary so that it will hang on my hips. Now here is my thought, question, concern, what have you: I am thinking that instead of straps, velcro, or snaps to do jean buttons. Has anyone done a kilt with jean buttons instead of the other closure systems? If so how did it turn out and do you have any pics? I am using an 8.5 oz khaki twill btw and I am thinking of finishing the front panel off with some fashion tartan fabric to spice it up.

~Shawn

Some of the kilts in the early 1800's used a set of buttons instead of buckles along the side. I found some pictures in my wanderings, but of course, I don't have them bookmarked here.

Velcro is often done on inexpensive kilts such as the Still Water Economy kilts.

Another valid fastener is the belt itself and again was known in th early 1800's.

I've heard of other fasteners being used including snaps and elastic. (For the love of all that is masculine, please *don't* make a "pull up elastic banded" kilt.)

[vorpallemur]

That would be a lot of material to do a buttonhole through. You could have 6 or 7 layers to go through depending on how you do the waistband. I would test it with your machine. If you are using a machine to do the button holes. Also if your waistline goes up and down, you might want to consider multiple buttonholes.

Let us know how it comes out. And post some pics.

How many layers they go through depends on where he's planning on putting them. If they're on the apron, it's only going to be a couple of layers, at least on the right hand edge. On the left side of the apron, there's an under pleat, so it would be a bit more. But not too bad. If it's on the waistband, it depends on how the waistband is done. If the skirt^Wpleated bit is hanging from the waistband, then the waistband is just two layers, plus whatever is being used to keep it from rolling. If it's done like the x-kilt instructions, it's also going through the pleats.

I'd suggest making a basic, per instructions X-klilt or traditional kilt first, before trying to do this. (Unless you've got lots of garment design experience, or a high frustration tolerance.) Once you've done that, you'll have a better understanding of how and where you'd put the buttons.

[Alan H]

Hey it's YOUR kilt. IF you want to close it with steel buttons, then mate....steel buttons it is.

[Heming]

I've used jeans buttons on a kilt. Works a treat. If you have a good sewing machine, the buttonholes won't be a problem.

[Kilted Rogue]

i like this idea, you could add 3-4 buttons and use them like the straps on a trad kilt.
love to see this finished

[Squeaky McMurdo]

I made a camouflage X-kilt exactly as you described. I made it with 3 BDU buttons on each side for adjustability and knife pleated. (FYI, knife pleating it required 5 yards of fabric....I sold the one I attempted to make with 4 yards because it was too small)

I don't have any pictures of my husband wearing it but here are some construction shots.





--Chelsea McMurdo--