Corduroy X-Kilt

[cloves]

Have you ever seen corduroy that is checked? like, it has wales that run in both directions. That might make things easier. I've even seen corduroy that had an almost tartan like appearance. It was all one color, but had different sized wales in a repeating pattern in both directions.

regardless, this is looking pretty darn cool already F-H.C.A.G.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Maybe I'll find the checked corduroy next time-it sounds pretty interesting!

Where was I? Oh, yeah, I've joined the lengths of fabric, so I've now got about 135 inches of fabric.



With some fairly good seams



But, there is a little bit of a "lump" where the seams are, so I'll iron them out flat



Here's the end product



It looks so good, I'm not sure it will matter if I'm not able to hide the seams inside a pleat! Also, I could not tell if there was any difference between the naps, whether sewn one way or the other, despite what the clerk at the store said. Hopefully, I won't finish the whole darn thing and find out I was wrong!

Now, I have a vodka martini and a salmon and basil omelet waiting...must go!

Be well,

[Jadewink]

I love your kitchen table. It is very beautiful.

And I love the silly kitty. Please keep kitty's tail safe!

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Yes, Jadewink, that table is pretty cool isn't it! Lots of room for projects, although I do dream about a 7 foot long, perfectly smooth table dedicated just to sewing. When we win the lottery and buy a bigger house, I'll have a sewing room-and I won't let the cat in

Last night, after my martini and omelet, despite my vow not to, I got a bee in my bonnet to do more on the kilt. So, I drove the sewing machine under the influence! Luckily, no harm came of it, either directly or indirectly.

Because the bottom of the fabric does not have a selvedged edge when joined like I have done (and even if it did, it didn't look like it would make an attractive hem), I decided to hem the length.

So, I marked 1.5 inches (remember, my "victim" has a drop of 22.5 inches and I have a 24 inch wide strip of fabric now)



Then I started to iron the hem in



But realized I had not yet "locked in" the edge to keep it from fraying. My tired old machine does not have an overlock stitch, so I had to run zig zags back and forth and a line of straight stitching down the middle of these. Instead of turning the fabric around when I got to the end of the zig zag and wanted to go back the other way, I flipped it over (so I didn't have to deal with all the material under the arm of the machine.





Next, I finished ironing the edge up and pinned it, checking to be sure it is indeed at 22.5 inches.



Next step...the over apron strip with velcro and the actual sewing of the hem.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

So, now the over apron strip-I read the instructions, and then realized I'm not sure what this is for? Can't the velcro just go on the waistband? So, I tried to read ahead and get a better idea, but, remember the martini? I gave up and just decided to follow the instructions, trusting in Alan H to see me through. I cut out a 3 inch wide strip of material, 10 inches long (I am planning a 10 inch over apron).



I locked down the edge (the same way as I did the hem, but this took much less time, being 10 inches rather than 135 inches)



Then, cutting out a piece of velcro (6 inches long-i.e. 4 inches shorter than the over apron)



I sewed it on as per instructions, except that the instructions said to sew the 2 inch wide strip of velcro 1.25 inches down on the 3 inch strip of fabric. Seeing as how 1.25 inches and 2 inches makes 3.25 inches and I only had 3 inches width of fabric, I decided that Alan H was also probably drinking and sewing. I did the best I could.



I really sewed it on tight, with two lines of zig zag stitch on either end. If this is messed up, there is no way I am going to be able to rip this seam out-I'll just have to start again if that is necessary.



At this point, Panache was begining to wonder if I was just going to sew all night. I said I would watch the last episode of Shogun with him. About 2 hours-just enough time to sew the hem....

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Now, this is a modern kilt and the hem could very well have been machine sewn, but I, as many know, am an anal-retentive, obsessive-compulsive, perfectionist. I did not want this hem to show. So, just as I did with Panache's Stillwater, I blind stitched the hem. This time did not require as much alcohol to cut the boredom, because I was watching Shogun, and because 135 inches is substantially less that the ~250 inches of the Stillwater. I got comfie in my chair, and sewed it up (I finished in about 1.5 hours).



Then, it was about midnight and when I suggested that I upload the photos and post my progress, Panache said...

[Panache]

...Then, it was about midnight and when I suggested that I upload the photos and post my progress, Panache said...

"It's time for all good little Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddesses to be in bed!"
So she reluctantly set her project away for the night.

Cheers

Panache

[cloves]

Seeing as how 1.25 inches and 2 inches makes 3.25 inches and I only had 3 inches width of fabric, I decided that Alan H was also probably drinking and sewing. I did the best I could.

Am I the only one who finds that hilariously funny!???


Also, yeah I agree she is cooler than Emma Peel. Panache ain't too shabby himself. They definately make a very ineresting and handsome couple.
I hope to get a chance to meet them in person someday.

[Kid Cossack]

Panache:

I don't think I've ever said this before. "Your wife is cooler than Emma Peel."

Best,

KC

[beloitpiper]

You make this look so easy!....and alcoholic! I want to try to make an xkilt now!