How long does it take to make a kilt?

[Ryan Ross]

Barb T later "confessed" that she pins the heck out of each pleat...

I've seen Matt pin, too.



EDIT: But I think all bets may be off when making a four yard box pleated kilt, anyway. I dunno...
(I think I handled that pretty well )

[Dixiecat]

Interesting. My understanding is that hand sewn kiltmakers abhore pins and never use them. They look at pinning pleats as the mark of a tailor, not a kiltmaker.

Well, there are many ways to skin a cat and a few ways to make a kilt. The method the kiltmaker that I talked to, used the method that Jan Bruyndonckx put up on the web. This method where the tartan is pleated first then sewn, is used by quite a few kiltmakers.

[bricelythgoe]

I appreciate all your comments.


Allow me to pose another, since my original question is not getting much attention. How much time does using a sewing machine save?

Brice

[Paul Henry]

Brice, the honest is it's hard to say, sorry!

Machine sewn kilts are different from hand sewn ones , certain things are easier to hand sew - like almost invisable fell stitching ( and matching up the lines) or blind stitching a hem , and certain things are easier by machine- like sewing through many layers at the waistband or long runs of straight sewing.

I've made both types and I tend to use a machine for the linen/cotton/canvas types which are usually 5 or 6 yard kilts, and hand sewing for the the more traditional wool 8 yard one. I can easily finish a machine stitched one of this type within a day's work from start to finish( including edge stitching all the pleat edges ,inside and out), but I wouldn't really compare it to the handsewn one ( not better - just different)

[bricelythgoe]

Brice, the honest is it's hard to say, sorry!

Machine sewn kilts are different from hand sewn ones , certain things are easier to hand sew - like almost invisable fell stitching ( and matching up the lines) or blind stitching a hem , and certain things are easier by machine- like sewing through many layers at the waistband or long runs of straight sewing.

I've made both types and I tend to use a machine for the linen/cotton/canvas types which are usually 5 or 6 yard kilts, and hand sewing for the the more traditional wool 8 yard one. I can easily finish a machine stitched one of this type within a day's work from start to finish( including edge stitching all the pleat edges ,inside and out), but I wouldn't really compare it to the handsewn one ( not better - just different)

That is the exact answer I am looking for! Thank you!

PM Sent as well.

[sutherland]

Very interesting chat on time taking, altough the pin thing has got me bugged, tailors do not use pins, they tack and baste, dressmakers use pins. Thanks had to get that off my chest.

[Riverkilt]

Is this a great board or what!!?? Dressmakers! Okay.

Don't know if anyone has ever catagorized the different ways of constructing a kilt along with the techniques used for different ways and the time one could expect it to take to complete an "average" kilt using the different ways of construction.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Very interesting chat on time taking, altough the pin thing has got me bugged, tailors do not use pins, they tack and baste, dressmakers use pins. Thanks had to get that off my chest.

I must make traditional highland DRESS then...

I use pins and basting and anything I need to to make the finished kilt accurate and well made.

[Dixiecat]

Very interesting chat on time taking, altough the pin thing has got me bugged, tailors do not use pins, they tack and baste, dressmakers use pins. Thanks had to get that off my chest.

Then you obviously don't know dressmaking....or tailoring.

[sydnie7]

Methods may vary among makers and from garment type to type -- but isn't the end result the thing? I'd rather see/purchase a beautifully made garment than a poorly finished garment no matter the process involved. I can't imagine the use or non-use of pins during construction has any long-term effect on durability or other purchase considerations.