How to make a tartan waistcoat cut on the bias to wear with a kilt

**Bobby Gordon** · 28th December 12, 12:07 AM

Thank you everyone for your kind words, I'm glad you like it. I actually really enjoyed making it and it was the first waistcoat I've ever made! I usually buy sewing patterns to help me out as the directions help explain a few things, (even if I decide to do things slightly differently) And YouTube has some videos that helps make things clear too. Proffessor Pincushion has some great demo's.

@ MacIllfhilidh, I highly recommend google sketchup for all my sewing projects, it's a computer aided design program, but it's so easy, and it's free! It helps because it allows you to play about with the pattern and figure out yardage before you buy. it took me just over a week in my spare time to make, I don't know how many hours that was though. I bought 1.3 meters. I had hoped to be able to make 2 waistcoats, 1 kilt length and one normal length, and a tie. But because I was using what I call the 'A Block' of the tartan to go in the middle of the centre front it meant there was only so many places the panels could be cut from. As it turns out 1.3 meters wasn't quite enough for all that i'd hoped for. originally I'd planned on having the panels at right angles to eachother on the fabric, however, I discovered that this would mean that on one panel the grain lines would be horizontal and on the other they would be vertical. like on this one:

http://www.scotweb.co.uk/products/bias-cut-waistcoat/

I thought to myself I'd rather make one waistcoat perfectly that have two done wrong, so unfortunately I do have a lot of wasteage. but I did get enough for my tie and I'm sure there'll be something else I can make.

**artificer** · 28th December 12, 04:12 AM

Really, REALLY impressive work!

Now for some action pix of you out and about in your smart new togs.

ith:

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 29th December 12, 05:46 AM

As a general rule of thumb, when dealing with an average sized person, and 54" wide fabric, 1/2 yard of cloth is sufficient for making a the waistcoat facing when using a solid color material, but a full yard is needed when dealing with tartan -- as Bobby has said, it is important that the pattern match up symmetrically on left and right, otherwise it looks a bit goofy. :-)

Excellent job, Bobby!

**Guinach** · 29th December 12, 09:33 PM

Excellent work!

**Jon Lilley** · 30th December 12, 08:41 AM

Thank you very much for the info, Bobby! Do appreciate knowing. It looks like you're using double width (approx. 54") tartan, correct? It looks like it, but I wanted to double check. Also, I've got a few days of holiday left so I'll try out Googlesketch this afternoon.

Slàinte!,

Jon

. . . agus, Bliadhna Mhòr Ùr!!!

**Bobby Gordon** · 30th December 12, 10:25 AM

yes, that was double width.
What chest size are you? I can send you a sketchup file of the pattern for you to play about with if you like.

**Jon Lilley** · 30th December 12, 11:39 AM

Bobby!,

Thank you very much for the verification on the fabric width. AND, thanks for the very kind offer of your pattern, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to take a wee rain-check on that. Eventhou my computer is running well, it's old and needs to be upgraded before I can download anything from SketchUp. I had a good look 'round there this afternoon and was quite pleased with everything you can do with it. I felt like a kid in a candy shop, really! Definitely something to look forward to next year.

Cheers!,

Jon

PS: I'm a 48 double E! LOL!