Question for kiltmakers

[Alan H]

When I sewed up Piper Georges Dutch MacKay kilt I poured myself a couple fingers of whisky and I'd sew until the whisky was gone. I'm a whisky sipper, you see? Two fingers would last me about three-four pleats. Once that was done, I'd put it away until the next night, or whenever. It took me about eight evenings to sew his pleats.

Anyway, just take your time and do them right. If they don't come out right, rip 'em out and do them again. Look at it this way, you're going to take 20+ hours to hand-sew those pleats. yup. but you're going to WEAR THE KILT for a whole, whole lot longer than that, when you're done!

[matheson]

I have to second the messages of patience. What I will say is this, however. Set a goal for project status. Even if you resort to posting a message here that just says "two pleats done", "five pleats done", etc., it will serve as a reminder that you've accomplished much, and that there is only this much to be done. Breaking it down into manageable chunks will certainly aid in getting through what you have set yourself as a goal. I find this helps me stay focused. Don't be unrealistic, and say "Pleating done in a week, kilt done in two", but break it down to however many you can realistically do in a night, then times that by the number of total pleats, then add two days. If you decide not to take those two days, all the better because you've finished ahead of the schedule and can pat yourself on the back.
Me, I love projects and I love sewing, but I find my attention wanders if I don't have an ending date in mind.

[parker_db]

I too have been doing hand crafts for years, both professionaly and for pleasure. This quote always comes to mind at some point in the process while working on a project - "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing — absolute nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing..."

I have just started my "test kilt", with the aid of Barb's book, and have the same feeling as "meesing about in boats." There is something very satisfying in well done hand work. Enjoy!!

[george7]

Pace yourself... If you've got 20 hours of labor, think 4 hours at a time.

[Mr.Charles Anthony]

A different tack, for "Ardchoille' to think on; Sir, bear in mind that the mountains of pleats in a kilt is a very modern way to make a kilt. It does not have to be that way. Some of the earliest kilts had a just a drawstring thru a sewn hem at the waist. I have made on just this way, easy on easy, off; tie it on, push the excess fabrick to the back, and smooth it evenly along the 'rear'.
There are other methods to wearing/pleating a kilt. Contact me off list at Harriettdrhm@aol.com if you wish some webpages.
Squire Anthony
Historical Tailor

[Paul Henry]

Mr Anthony, welcome to the board, first of all.
and next I, along with many others, would love to know the historical notes for the drawstring waistband, as always sources are so important, and we are always learning
I'm sure there wouldn't be any problems if you posted the webpages here for us all to have a look

[Alan H]

I might also add that an ongoing "blog post" of progress (with pictures of course) here on X-marks is a good way to motivate yourself to finish a kilt. Do 2-3-4 hours of work then stop and take some digital photos. The next night, or three nights later or whenever, do 2-3-4 hours more. You'd be surprised. Do it like that and you'll have your kilt done in a month, honest.

[ardchoille]

Very good replies.. and, welcome Mr. Anthony.

George, pace myself? Good advice, but I'm afraid that's easier said than done, my friend.