Kilt-Making Instructions online

[Alan H]

I've read through these couple of sets of instructions many times, and they've helped me get the process in my head. None of these is anywhere even close to Barb's book or even Ann Stewarts article in "Threads" magazine, but they're helpful.

If you want to read Ann Stewarts article, then go to the Library and get a back copy of "Threads" magazine. " Making a kilt: Sew a man's traditional kilt or a woman's kilt skirt" by Ann Stewart in Threads magazine, volume 33, pages 55-60, February/March 1991. Back issues may be available from Threads, 63 S. Main St., P.O. Box 5506 Newtown, CT 06470-5506, though I doubt it. Your library may have it. Ann's article has been reprinted in a book put out by Taunton Press (the company that publishes Threads, Fine Woodworking, Wooden Boat and Fine Homebulding magazines) but if you're going to buy a book, buy Barbs.

I built my canvas kilt, basically by starting out copying a USA Kilts philabeg, and also by incorporating features from these instructions.

OK, again, if you want to make a 6-8 yard traditionally sew kilt, get Barb's book. It's 29 lousy bucks. If you can't afford Barb's book, then you can't afford to make a traditional kilt, so just buy the book. GET THE BOOK. Look, the material for a traditional kilt is going to cost a lot more than $29, OK?

If you want to just get started and build one casual kilt for the heck of it, IMHO...and this is just IMHO, you can do fine by familiarizing yourself with these instructions I've linked to, below. You won't have a professional quality kilt, first time, but you can have a nice article of clothing if you put in the time and you're the kind of sewer that can look at what they're doing and as Shay put it, "sew by the seat of your pants".

http://www.scottishdance.net/highland/MakingKilt.html

http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/chegc/...e/freekilt.htm

Good luck.

[millar]

A while ago I think Jimmy Carbomb said there was a website being built with kiltmaking instructions for a 4 yard kilt.

[The Wizard of BC]

If you can be patient until next summer, the companion book to Barb's will be published.

Intitled "The Art of Contmporary Kiltmaking", by Steve Ashton it will cover the details of making your own kilt with the contemporary features of pockets, fabrics other than Wool, machine sewing, and fitting for lower waist styles.

I have the book layed out in rough form, pictures and diagrams are in the works. I still need to flesh out the wording, and finish the referances.

I hope to get it to Barb for editing in late spring.

[Alan H]

If you're the kind of person that prefers to have step-by-step instructions for tackling a project like this, then, if you ask me, you'll almost for sure be better off waiting for Steve's book.

I will most probably buy Steve's book myself, because for whatever the measly price of the book will be, it will compress my learning curve tenfold. That's worth the money to me. Even if I happen to have made four or five kilts by then, it'll STILL be worth it, for the insights given by someone with a lot of experience. I've read Barb's book twice and without having put a single idea into practice yet, I've already learned a bunch. My next kilt will be better for it.

If you want to just bang away at the sewing machine with ten bucks worth of material and some spare thread and see what comes out the other end, just for the hay of it....go look at those web pages.

[jjoseph]

I've read through these couple of sets of instructions many times, and they've helped me get the process in my head. None of these is anywhere even close to Barb's book or even Ann Stewarts article in "Threads" magazine, but they're helpful.
http://www.scottishdance.net/highland/MakingKilt.html

http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/chegc/...e/freekilt.htm

I know these have been posted before and I hear GREAT stuff re. Barb's book. Thanks again though. This is really cool stuff and inspiring, even to those of us with five thumbs, to maybe try giving it a whirl.
so muchas gracias to all you folks who are the "keepers of the wisdom" for sharing the wealth.

[Sherry]

The book sounds very promising, Steve. I look forward to it.

Sherry

[Aldisimo]

Was The Art of Contemporary Kiltmaking ever published? I can't find any references to it except in XMTS. As the proud owner of Barb's book, Alan's PDF, the Threads Magazine article from 1991, and every other set of kiltmaking directions I've been able to find on the web, I think I'm as excited about collecting instructions as I am about collecting/making kilts, and I definitely want to add this one to my collection [along with the box-pleat addendum to Barb's book].

BTW, there are a couple issues of that Threads Magazine available on eBay at a good price right now if anyone's interested. Just search for threads magazine 33. They're 'Buy It Now' items, so you don't have to worry about someone bidding up the price.

[Alan H]

The article in "Threads" is very good and worth a read....

[Aldisimo]

... a couple issues of that Threads Magazine available on eBay at a good price right now ...

Wow, that went fast. There's only one left and it's not all that inexpensive for a 17-year-old magazine.

[Alan H]

Threads was....I'm not sure if it's still in print or whether Taunton Press has discontinued it...but at the time it was a FANTASTIC magazine about fiber arts, generally.

I note that the Luminous Joan has not parted with her 40-something issues.