Going to sew my own kilt, any suggestions before I start?

[MarkReaves]

... Make sure you use high quality 100% polyester thread (I use Gutterman, based on other's recommendation). I hear that "Dual Duty" these days is made from polyester only (and no cotton, as in the older dual duty threads).

I'm using a all purpose/machine sewing thread in natural (no dyes).

I did find out (after my previous post) that the bobbin was messed up so now that's fixed, all should be ready for tomorrows sewing.

[MarkReaves]

Update:
Almost done! Having an issue with "Tapering the Fell". It seems my rump and where the kilt will sit are the same measurements. Just to be sure I will have my wife measure me when she gets home (should be soon). However, if they are the same measurements, then what?

I originally was going to do a knife pleat but went ahead and did the box pleat of the xkilt. So far it's looking good and can't wait to put it on.

For those wanting to make your own kilt, be sure you are willing to put in the TIME and EFFORT because its a lot of time and a lot of effort and things will go wrong if you are new to sewing. Keep at it.

[sydnie7]

Update:
Almost done! Having an issue with "Tapering the Fell". It seems my rump and where the kilt will sit are the same measurements. Just to be sure I will have my wife measure me when she gets home (should be soon). However, if they are the same measurements, then what?

Then you don't need any taper. Or, you could increase the rump measurement slightly (looser around the hips) which might be more comfortable.

You've mentioned "taking this in" as you lose weight -- most likely you will lose more quickly around your middle than in the rump -- Pleater has some good suggestions for dealing with this as you remake the kilt to fit the new shape. However, cotton is less forgiving than wool when it comes to repeated alterations. Try to save enough fabric to make a new waistband rather than salvaging the old one, it will start to fall apart quickly when you are ripping out and re-sewing along the same line.

Congrats on getting this far, and best wishes for the future!

[Pleater]

I hand sew the waistband even if I machine sew elsewhere - it is easier to remove and kinder to the fabric.

Even if the waist and hip measurement is the same, unless you are very unlucky you are still going to have a rump to shape the kilt around, and a 'bay window' in front, which can be awkward to keep a kilt waistband on and level - though a sturdy belt helps.

I found that I could reduce the size of the aprons and leave the pleats alone for some time as I shrank, and I put the extra fabric into large under apron pleats, which I found to be a very good design point to retain for subsequent kilts.


Baroness Anne the mirthful of Fritterton on the Heath