how to make a kilt

[auld argonian]

...you had some experience with hand sewing...not everybody has. That's why I suggest that the OP do some more research before going that route. Taking on a challenging project is always good but you should have a realistic idea of what's involved.

Best

AA

[flyrod6057]

I have to further recommend Barb T's book. I bought it to make my first kilt, (That's the one I'm wearing in my avatar pic) and I was thrilled at the outcome. Definitely a must for making a kilt worthy of wear in public.

Another thing I did prior to making a kilt was to take some time an visit a local kiltmaker. She explained a lot of 'minor' details that I might not have noticed on my own. Nothing like a little one-on-one instruction.

Good luck with this endeavor. Looking forward to photos of the process!



Best regards,

Brad

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I did not know you were in the UK. If you are looking for a UK source for the book, I believe the Scottish Tartans Authority has copies for sale in Crieff. Try calling 0845 430 1822 or you can buy it from their web site by clicking here.

I'll also point out that as Barb self-publishes these, she benefits no matter where you buy them from, as any retailer that carries them would have bought them from her. So please buy from whoever is most convenient for you. And Barb is always open to answering your questions on this forum! Plus there are plenty of others here who have made a kilt using this reference, and so you'd have even more support should you run into questions/problems.

[David Thorpe]

I had very little sewing experience when I did my first DIY kilt using Barb T's book. It's a great resource, whether you follow it religiously or not. I simplified the first one (PV, no canvas) to get the hang of pleating. Second one was a 16 oz. wool skirt (with a zipper) for my wife. It got the full Monty. About to finish #3, by the book.
Nothing wrong with simplified online instructions for the experienced, IMHO. Lots of ways to skin a cat. But Barb and Elsie present the full traditional way in comprehensive, easy-to-follow, step-by-step fashion. My $35 US copy has already saved me many times over the price in time and frustration.

BTW, #'s 4 and 5 will be box pleats as per Matt's Supplement, from Xmarks PV.

[Paul Henry]

[QUOTE=M. A. C. Newsome;1099814snip....

I'll also point out that as Barb self-publishes there, she benefits no matter where you buy them from, as any retailer that carries them would have bought them from her. So please buy from whoever is most convenient for you. And Barb is always open to answering your questions on this forum! Plus there are plenty of others here who have made a kilt using this reference, and so you'd have even more support should you run into questions/problems.[/QUOTE]

I'm sure that Barb benefits from any book sale, but benefits more from her own sales!

[usonian]

I must add another recommendation for Barb's book, which combined with poking around and reading various resources online (especially the DIY Help and DIY Show Room threads here) is a comprehensive, start to finish guide that breaks the entire process into small, well-explained steps. There are some resources online like this how-to, which technically does cover all of the steps necessary, but they tend to be light on detail and specific instructions.

As far as being thrown into the deep end... I don't see a way to go from zero to traditional 8 yard kilt without taking a bit of a jump, but lots of people (myself included) have done it. The little bit of hand-sewing experience that I had when I picked up The Art of Kiltmaking was helpful as far as having the hand-eye coordination, but I had certainly never hand-sewn a complete garment before. When you first get the book and skim through it to get a sense of the overall process it's definitely a little overwhelming to see how many steps there are from start to finish. However, once you get all of your materials together, clear your workspace, and actually start working through the book one step at a time it's very manageable. With some steps it feels like it takes longer to read about them than it does to actually do them, because the instructions and accompanying diagrams are pretty detailed. Use the internet to supplement questions you may have about general sewing terminology or some of the types of stitches used.

I would recommend planning on making at least two kilts, though. Make your first from a relatively inexpensive material, get used to the overall process, and do the best job you can without obsessing over perfection on your first time out. When you start your second kilt, the process will be more familiar and you'll have a much better sense of how each step of the process affects the next and how the garment hangs and fits the way it does, and you can tweak accordingly.

Good luck!

[tulloch]

I have seen Usonian's and it is a professional-looking work. I have Barb's book and strongly recommend it. Please post photos when you do it.

[chef69]

Thank you all for your input but iam just looking for the 2 set pleats and not the box pleat (i have never ever seen a box pleat on a man,s kilt in Scotland (they seem to be the pleats that go into women,s kilts (no offence to anyone) going up to creff later on in the week and will check out the bible.
------------------------------------------------------------Brian-------------------------------

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Sounds great. When you are in Crieff, if you see Brian Wilton at the Scottish Tartans Authority ask him about historic box pleated kilts for men. I just last month brought him one c. 1790-1800. And I made one for him out of Harris Tweed a couple of years ago. It's a pleating style which was quite standard on men's kilts until the mid-nineteenth century, and can still be seen in some regimental kilts right up till modern times.