Making an X-Marks Tartan Kilt: an ongoing thread

[andyfg]

I'm with you all the way Alan, cheering from the sidelines!

[Zyzzyx]

Hmm... I'm gonna have to get another copy of Barb's book (bought 'my' first copy for someone else) and find some fabric. Mebbe working on making my own kilt will give me something to do through what's left of the winter. Certainly haven't been able to get on the bike much.

[Alan H]

Last two days....6 hours

finishing the reverse pleat...sewing in the pleat stabilizer band (I do it differently from Barbs instructions)...cutting and sewing in the hair canvas stiffeners... finishing off (blind stitch) the right hand edge of the over-apron, including fringing strip... finishing the left-hand edge of the under-apron...a coule of checks in the mirror...re-doing the top of the over-arpon left edge an dthe deep pleat to make the over -apron a little bit smaller....and a quick pre-iron of the pleats.


TOTAL: 15.5 hours

What's left?

waistband, buckles and straps, and liner....and a final HARD pressing! I'll get in three more hours tonight, I hope!

Note: I won't have to hem this one (saves 6 hours) and after much staring and patting, decided not to cut out the inner bits of the pleats at the fell. I may put in a steeking line anyway, though probably not by saturday.

[JimB]

Looking forward to seeing the final results.
I too, do the stabilizer band a bit different, but it shouldn't matter since the principle and end result is the same.

[Tartan Hiker]

Pics, man...Pics!

[Alan H]

last night, 1.5 hours.

stitched in the outside of the waistband (by machine) and pinned the inside.... Put in the liner panels for the over-apron and the inner apron (not the pleat liner panel)..... machine-made the buckle straps.

I estimate another 2 hours, which I'll do today and it'll be "done"..as in wearable in time for Burns Night......

and Therewill be pics from Burns Night, I'm sure. BTW, I'm using the extra to make the Invisisble Joan an X-Marks tartan sash.

[McMurdo]

Cant wait to see the pics

[Alan H]

FINISHED IT

Ok, well not quite "finished", it doesn't have sporran straps and it only has half the liner, but aside from that it's done. Add another 1.5 hours to my tally below for an approximation of the final total. I will be wearing it tonight to the X-Marks Burns Supper.

I nailed this one. This is a really nice kilt, and I'm proud of it. It's not perfect, but it's as good or better than any of my purchased ones. It doesn't have as many pleats as Piper Georges (his had 32, this has 25) but the stitching is nearly invisible on this one and the hang is comparable. This thing is stout.

I have sewn a tank.

Last night (from 9:30 PM to 1:00 AM) 3.5 hours

...hand sew inner part of waistband,... finish off waistband ends, ....put in leather straps,.... point-tack down liner panels,.... iron in the pleats ....and a few finishing touches.

Pics tonight! TOTAL: 19 hours

At this point, with this kilt "done" and Piper Georges kilt done, I'm going to finally do it. I'm going to attach a little something to my name. In my opinion, I've finally earned it. It's taken me five X-Kilts and four tartan kilts to get here, it's taken me a year of off-and-on kiltmaking to get here, but I think it's time.

Alan Hebert, Kiltmaker

[McMurdo]

Congratulations Alan, wear it well.

[pdcorlis]

Its been great watching your journey from the first kilt to this one - you have indeed earned the title. Congratulations!