First attempt...

[chasem]

So...if I understand you right...Just go ahead on with the second piece of tartan and join after I've finished all the pleats?

yep, pull the tartan out and simply line up the next pleat as you have done all the others. You'll have two loose ends of tartan on the inside until you do the join later. Just be absolutely sure that you have at least one sett repeat in there, so that after you stitch the join the pleat will be the same size (or very close to the same size) on the inside of the kilt.

[Kilted Taper]

Finished all the pleats on Sunday night, and started the join last night. Once I actually got into it, the instructions in the book for the join made a lot more sense. Still having issues ripping though. My ends in the join are very frayed but that will be well hidden once it's finished.

Measured the pleats on the hips and waist. I'm off about 1/2" on both. Don't think I want to go back and redo them all again. But now I know for the next kilt to be a little more careful with paying attention to that.

This has been a really enjoyable little experiment/experience. I've really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to doing more.

[Kilted Taper]

It's been a while, but I thought I'd share some in progress shots:

Four of the five rows of basting stiches done:


"Inside" kilt with pleats cut and the scraps from the cutting:



I've also got the stabilizer in, and the canvas in the aprons, but due to some really poor cutting I dont have any canvas left for the pleats, so progress will be delayed till I can get some more.

[Big Dave]

Looking good so far. You must be a doctor, because you have patients , get it? Sorry bad joke and I'm tired, but the kilt does look good.

[Barb T]

Looking GOOD!

B

[turpin]

KT, those pleats look fabulous. I think you're over the hump on this one.

[Barb T]

KT, those pleats look fabulous. I think you're over the hump on this one.

Absolutely - the pleats are THE biggest hurdle!

B

[JimB]

KT, this is looking really good. You did a fabulous job on the pleats!
That's a great looking tartan too.
Thanks for posting this. I learn so much from the people on this site who are into making their own.

[Kilted Taper]

Quick update. We're reaching the home stretch. Spent all afternoon Saturday and Sunday on this puppy!

Full shot of the back with canvas:


And the front:


Fringed end:


Top Band:


Closer shot of pleat canvas and button hole:


Pressing is next. There is no pressing ham in the house, is it really that important? I know they are VERY VERY easy to come by so no biggy if the answer is yes.

Just ordered about 14 different colors of thread for the next two projects and have the US Bicentennial ripped and front apron chalked out. Who knew that not only is kilt wearing addicting, but so is kilt sewing!?!?!

[Pleater]

You do need something you can use to recreate the three dimensional curve of the body inside the kilt when it is being pressed - after all, the whole idea of the pressing is to make it fit around you smoothly, so hammering it flat onto the ironing board is rather defeating the object.

If you look at the photo of the front of the kilt laid flat there are some diagonal 'dunes' on the aprons, where the pleats are pushing the material outwards because of their shaping.

Buy the ham.

Oh, thats a nice tartan, by the way, that's going to be a good looking kilt when it is all done.