First Trad Kilt: an ongoing thread

**Alan H** · 28th December 05, 12:32 PM

Four and a half more hours last night got me to pleat number eighteen. Six to go!!

**Southern Breeze** · 28th December 05, 12:37 PM

Hang in there, all that stress is worth it!

**Alan H** · 29th December 05, 02:42 PM

Gaaaaaa, I still have to hem this sucker.

**Alan H** · 2nd January 06, 08:24 PM

AWRIGHT!!! A marathon 7-hour session today got me done with all 26 pleats. I've been writing 24 all along, but that wasn't enough. I must've been a bit skimpy on my reveals. Fortunately I assumed I'd mess up so I allocated 4 extra setts when I cut it out. Well, I just used up two of 'em! *whew*.

I pinned it up, pinning in the reverse pleat and belted it on and dangnabbit but it it looks pretty decent!

Anyway, add in 7 more hours plus whatever time it took to order straps and buckles from Jerry at Stillwater Kilts.

**HeathBar** · 2nd January 06, 08:41 PM

Way to go Alan

Can't wait for the big unveiling.

**GMan** · 2nd January 06, 08:48 PM

Alan,

This whole thread is just amazing. I really do like to hear about the ups and downs of the entire process.

You are a more patient man than am I.

**Alan H** · 7th January 06, 01:44 PM

Well, I put in another hour and a half last night. 30 minutes of that was reading through more of Barb's directions. Then I pulled in the reverse pleat and stitched it down, but I don't have to shape the under-apron much at all so it was a no-brainer. I spent a while staring at my other kilts thinking about whether I should use two setts or three in the reverse pleat and finally opted for three. I have plenty of material, so it's not an issue.

After stitching all this I strapped the thing on and stood in front of the full length mirror for a bit. Joan was busy so she didn't have time to help me. She suggested that I eyeball it, pin up the hem at a point that makes sense and belt it on again. So that's what I did, and I'm going to be hemming up 1 inch more than I originally allotted for. It still looks like it's going to hit me mid-to-upper-knee, a touch long for a traditional kilt, but that's OK. If I don't hem it there, I wind up with the bottom of the kilt in an odd place in regards to the plaid pattern, so I'll live with the little bit of extra length.

I wonder how long it will take to hem 20 feet of material? Oyyyy.

**Alan H** · 7th January 06, 02:00 PM

Incidentally, my estimate is that I'm now up to 42.5 hours of work to make this kilt and there's still a mess of stuff to do! That estimate could be as much as 2-3 hours off, but it's reasonably close, anyway.

**Sherry** · 7th January 06, 02:38 PM

You know, Alan, you've spent a lot of time on this project because of the steep learning curve you've had to master. A kilt is not a beginner project by any means. You definitely jumped in with both feet--but I suppose ignorance is bliss, for a while anyway.

If you have a gander at beginning sewing books/projects, you'll see the difficulty level doesn't even come close to that of making a kilt. I guess after this, not too many things will look difficult to sew to you. :-D

**Alan H** · 8th January 06, 12:22 AM

Originally Posted by Sherry

You know, Alan, you've spent a lot of time on this project because of the steep learning curve you've had to master. A kilt is not a beginner project by any means. You definitely jumped in with both feet--but I suppose ignorance is bliss, for a while anyway.

If you have a gander at beginning sewing books/projects, you'll see the difficulty level doesn't even come close to that of making a kilt. I guess after this, not too many things will look difficult to sew to you. :-D

Well, I HAVE learned a lot, that's for sure. I'm glad I bought a lot of extra fabric, too.
ANY-way, three more hours today and tonight got me through pressing down the hem crease and sewing up about a third of it...about 7 feet.

So 45.5 hours, now.