pleating the wool

[Jimmy Carbomb]

It looks like that will be a broad enough tartan pattern to make the taper from the waist to the hips relatively subtle. Some of the "busier" tartans can look busy... but this one's a good choice.

That will also look fantastic in the winter and fall months.

Handstitching the hip taper? GOOD MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bubba]

Yeah Jimmy, I like this one even if it isn't a registered tartan. I gotta say though, it looks like crap pleated to the stripe. It leaves way too much contrast between the pleats and the aprons.

[bear]

I picked up a very nice quality wool in a dark, muted plaid. Appx 10oz to 12oz.
I think I'll hand stitch the whole thing, if I ever get caught up enough to find the free time to make it.

[bubba]

Bear, it is kinda fun for me, but then, I don't do this for a living. Once I get these done I think I'll take a shot at making an Argyl jacket. Another trip to the fabric store coming up.

[bear]

Bear, it is kinda fun for me, but then, I don't do this for a living. Once I get these done I think I'll take a shot at making an Argyl jacket. Another trip to the fabric store coming up.

The most fun for me with kiltmaking is designing new styles, tweeking current designs to make the kilts look better. I like the artistic aspects best. The day to day kiltmaking is still fun because I can get creative with assembly practises to speed up production, or think up new ideas while doing the mundane work.
It's still all fun for me, too. Otherwise, I'd be doing something else. I'm not happy unless I'm creating something.
I'm working on a new jacket design, too.

[bubba]

I'm planning on modifying the Argyll pattern. Give it a more standard cuff and eliminate some of the detailing. It'll give it a cleaner more simple look that'll make it look much less like a costume and more a sports jacket look.That'll work better for me I think. I like the creative part of this stuff too. I've had alot of fun improving my skills making these kilts and every one is better than the one before.

[bear]

I'm planning on modifying the Argyll pattern. Give it a more standard cuff and eliminate some of the detailing. It'll give it a cleaner more simple look that'll make it look much less like a costume and more a sports jacket look.That'll work better for me I think. I like the creative part of this stuff too. I've had alot of fun improving my skills making these kilts and every one is better than the one before.

That's definately part of the enjoyment; making yourself better as you make the kilts better.
Everything we do changes us physically and mentally. We might as well be changed for the better.

[MDR-V300]

I'm definitely with the two of you on that point. Always strive to do better at whatever you're doing. Try new ideas, and if they don't work then try something else until you make progress.

And bubba, I'm making a coat right now as well, and it's a lot scarier for me than a kilt because there's so much more cutting involved. Cutting is so permanent.
Plus, It's my first coat ever and I'm working without any kind of pattern except kind of eyeballing a coat that fits me well... We'll see how it turns out.

[bubba]

And bubba, I'm making a coat right now as well, and it's a lot scarier for me than a kilt because there's so much more cutting involved. Cutting is so permanent.

Try making a muslin first. A muslin is very cheap fabric made into the garment and just tack stitched together with large seam allowances so you can adjust the fit. Once you have the fit you trim excess fabric leaving a decent seam allowance and disassemble it to give you a pattern. It saves you from ruining the good fabric. Another option is find a jacket that fits you well in a thrift shop and disassemble it and take measurements so you can trim any pieces that need to be trimmed. Either way it gives you pattern pieces to work from cheaply.

[MDR-V300]

Try making a muslin first...

What a great idea! I thought of that idea, but then I figured that it wouldn't work for some reason or other. Hearing someone say that it works and has a name, even... I'll see what I can do about the rest of this coat, but I've only got about 2 pieces left to cut.

Thanks a lot for your suggestion.

[ps: I was thinking about making a coat wherein the front and back were all one piece. Is this a terrible idea?]