Pink Panache

[AtagahiKC]

Pink, maroon...let's split the difference and call it fuscia.

Or in honor of living in Northern California, we'll call it the most delicate shade of "blush".

[Pleater]

I thought I'd get my name at the top of the list, just in case - hope springs eternal - you know.

Maybe I will install extra wardrobes anyway, just in case. You never know when an extra 10 ft of clothes rail might come in handy.

Mind you I am glad that the metrosexual term was sorted out - with the reduction of classics in education it just isnt possible to deduce meaning any more.

Now, metropolitan means mother city - from the Greek meter (with -s over the es), and polis, city.

Coming across metrosexual rather suddenly, you might leap to the wrong conclusion.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

...
Maybe I will install extra wardrobes anyway, just in case. You never know when an extra 10 ft of clothes rail might come in handy.
...

10 ft won't be enough, beleive me!

So, I actually managed to get all the pleats sewn down (inside and out) and the taper done yesterday. It fits pretty well, but there is some gapping on the edges of the apron-we're working this out-may need to alter how the edges are sewn down or widen the apron-we'll see. He tried it on with his blue shirt, and it looked quite good. Definitely want to avoid a red shirt though! But that's o.k., I hear he has staff to wear red shirts.

Be well,

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Got a day off today. Actually, I'm on vacation for 10 days! Whoohooo!!!

So, of course, the first thing I did was to finish the kilt. I ended up reducing the deep pleat under the over apron a bit and sewing down just the top 4-5 inches of the left hand edge of the over apron. I also ended up doubling over the under apron, because I had just enough material to do this, and it stiffened up the front nicely.

I sewed on the over apron strip and sewed up the inner edge of the newly reconfigured deep pleat. Then, I hand sewed the velcro onto the strip and over the fold of the deep under apron pleat (holds it in place nicely). I machine sewed the velcro onto the under apron.

Then, I put on the waistband, and since I've been assured by my fashion conscious husband that he is unlikely to wear this kilt out without a belt, I went ahead and machine sewed the waistband rather than trying to have an invisible, hand sewn seam. This certainly speeds things up.

A small inner pouch was requested. Luckily, there was just enough space at the left hand edge of the under apron, once the velcro was sewn on, to put a little pouch (on the inner aspect of the under apron, just over the left hip). It's only just big enough to hold a house key and a credit card. I made it out of some camo material that was a gift from w2f-he'll recognize it when I post pictures.

To increase the stability of the closure, I added a sturdy hook and eye closure at the left hand edge of the under apron. Two belt loops at the back and voila, we have X-Kilt!

I will post pictures, hopefully demonstrating the maroon nature of this kilt, as soon as it comes out of the wash and is pressed again.

Be well,

[Moosedog]

A good friend of mine came to Canada from Ghana to complete his university degree. When he graduated, he wanted to celebrate in a traditional way, which was to have a nice pink suit. When he went to get one made, the tailor very nicely told my friend about the cultural difference.
My friend and his wife often dress in traditional clothes but he misses not getting a pink suit. I don't know if he ever got one to wear in Ghana where he does a lot of work.

.

How sad! I keep thinking of your friend and how he still misses that suit. I'm glad Panache is taking the plunge, I'd hate for him to spend the rest of his life longing for a pink kilt!

Moosedog

[walkerk]

You're done already? Good on ya! He'll be needing his beret back, then. It's too snug for me anyway and you know he won't be happy without a hat.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I didn't time myself on this kilt konstruction, but I think I spent about 8-10 hours on it. It was much easier than my prior two adaptations, mainly because I made very few alterations to the original instructions.

Here are the promised pictures.

Before washing, just to prove it is maroon and not pink, a picture in natural light:



Another view, same light, before washing:



Here's how it looked directly out of the dryer, before any pressing. Gotta love that polyester blend-no wrinkles!



The front shot (after pressing):



And the gratuitous pleat shot:



Some detailed pics to come.

Be well,

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Here are the detail pictures.

The hook and eye clasp on the far left hand edge of the under apron. Note how it looks very pink in this picture (I'm not using flash either, it's just the indoor lighting):



The little key pocket (on the other side of where the hook and eye closure is):



The belt loops (sorry, poorly focused, the result of a celebratory vodka tonic):



Thththaaat's all folks!

Be well,

[Arlen]

Congratulations on another fine kilt.
I have to agree, it is Maroon.
But perhaps Panache will want a pink kilt, now.

[Retro Red]

Congratulations, F-H.C.A.G., on a fine looking kilt!

And from the photos of the finished product, it looks like Panache is tickled pink about it!
.