Rainy Day Kilt #3

[Blu (Ontario)]

That's pretty impressive for a mornings work.

That's about how long it takes me to sew on a button.

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[O'Neille]

Looks good. How many yards of material did you use? Do you know the weight of the wool?

I wonder if USAK would make their Casual kilt in wool and how much it would cost.

I had a piece about two yards long and after cutting and splicing I had about 4 yards. You'll notice I didn't put a fringe on to save material. This material is about the same weight as the USAK PV. That's why I got it. I find a lot of material that just isn't heavy enough. This is just going to be a camping/hiking kilt so I'm not too concerned about the look and quality, just the comfort. It was very comfortable today when I went up the mountain before I got soaked. I did stay warm though, I'm sure I would have frozen in a canvas/cotton material. Getting the material for a dollar was a good thing. It was also a good experiment for my first experience with wool.

I would encourage those of you who are going to make your first kilt to look into some found or inexpensive wool. Take a tape measure with you when shopping so you can make sure you'll have enough material. I thought that it went very quickly because I could lay out the pleats in very little time using the existing pattern for reference. It holds a pleat wonderfully and hides stitches very well. Rocky has already responded as to the cost of a casual in wool. If I were to factor in my time and a normal materials cost it would cost me more to make one than Rocky would charge. But keep your eyes open and you never know when you'll find a bargain just waiting to become a kilt. O'Neille

[O'Neille]

You make it sound so easy! Love the price. Extra bonus it looks good too.

It is easy once you've done a few. It's like any learning experience. Learn the theory behind what makes a kilt and then you'll be able to make one without reference to anything but your notes and maybe a calculator. Here is my simplified method.

1. Measure you waist where you want it to be, Measure butt, Figure length from wasit to butt and butt to hem (should equal overall length). The butt measurement is the basis for a kilt that fits.

2. Lay out material and pin in front apron. (taper later)

3. Make a deep pleat

4. Continue pleating until you get to your butt size from left side of front apron to end of pleats.

5. Put in a reverse or extra deep final pleat if you have enough material.

6. If short on material use as much as possible on last pleat and finish your under apron. (taper to match front apron)

7. Now count your pleats and divide the difference between but and waist measurement by number of pleats will tell you how much to taper each pleat.

8. Sew down pleats starting from the right hand side. from waist to butt.

9. sew on velcro or other fasteners that you may devise.

10. Sew on some belt loops if you prefer. You now have a casual kilt.

I've got to start looking into a Kilt Camp. It's been many years since I've been to camp. O'Neille

[Hamish]

SOMEBODY SEND ME A SEWING MACHINE!

I have the sewing machine. SOMEBODY SEND ME THE ABILITY TO DO ALL THE CALCULATIONS! To my way of thinking, a kiltmaker has to be both a mathematician and an engineer. Unfortunately, I am neither and, although I had one-to-one tuition several years ago, I still have a half-finished kilt with insufficient fabric for anyone to complete it!!!

Many congratulations, O'Neille. You have my fullest admiration.

[turpin]

My God! The way O'Neille explains it, it really does sound as simple as the kiltmakers on the forum say. At least for the basics. If you want to add in a waist/hip lining, I would guess that comes after the pleats are stitched in. Ditto for a left-side strap hole, unless you do it like Matt Newsome. But overall this sounds like something I might now be willing to try, and I don't even know how to use my wife's sewing machine. I had to print this one out to keep handy.

Thanks a lot, O'neille.

[way2fractious]

...I still have a half-finished kilt with insufficient fabric for anyone to complete it!!!

Hamish, if the kilt is only half-completed... or, more specifically, if no cutting of excess material behind the pleats was done... perhaps the fabric could be recovered and remade in a different pleating style.

I've got to start looking into a Kilt Camp. It's been many years since I've been to camp.

By all means! You would love Kilt Camp. Having some experience in kiltmaking already makes the whole process easier to understand, and the instruction becomes more valuable.


Regarding this topic in general, I feel that anyone who wears a kilt regularly should make (or attempt to make) at least one kilt, even of the simplest kind. They really are simple garments; and it is sooo satisfying to wear something of your own make.