Camo Kilt - HELP!

[Brian F]

Well, folks, I am adding to the collection this weekend.

I've got a nice 5-day weekend, and what better way to split up homework and napping than with KILT MAKING?!?

I've decided to turn my 5 1/4 yds of camo fabric into a new kilt, simply because I haven't gotten to the mil-surplus to get some blankets. But, before I start (probably tomorrow morning), I have a few design considerations.

Since you all (theoretically ) know what you're talking about, I've decided to bring this concerns to you.

Here we go:

- Box pleat, or wide knife pleat?
- Anyone got any easy instructions for adding on slash pockets?
- Anything else for a outdoors/hiking kilt?

Thank you all in advance. I'm looking forward to making this kilt (which I hope I can get plenty of pictures!), and I am looking forward to using your opinions in my project!

~Yeti

[Surly Dave]

When I saw "Camo Kilt - HELP!", I thought you'd maybe set it down some where and couldn't find it. I was going to suggest putting some sort of GPS device to it so you wouldn't loose it again, but then I saw that you were looking for advice on making one as opposed to finding one, and I can't help you with that.

[Pleater]

You wouldn't consider a reverse Kinguisse style maybe?

I find it the best option for outdoors as rear pointing pleats both sides do not snag like the conventional method of knife pleating. You make the apron and left side as normal, and the under apron and right side a perfect mirror image.

One thing to consider - some DPM is directional - my first camo kilt is made from strips cut across, selvage to selvage, as it did not look right when viewed sideways.

Is that 5 and 1/4 yards of double width material?

[Brian F]

You wouldn't consider a reverse Kinguisse style maybe?

I would consider that. The point you make is obvious, now that I think about it. But I had honestly not even remembered that style.

One thing to consider - some DPM is directional - my first camo kilt is made from strips cut across, selvage to selvage, as it did not look right when viewed sideways.

Is that 5 and 1/4 yards of double width material?

Ok, the term "DPN" confuses me. I have a Realtree style (I say style because it's not Realtree or Mossy Oak), and it is 5 1/4 yds of double width. I plan on splitting it down the middle, and the using the second half of the fabric to manufacture pockets, a sporran, etc.

[ChattanCat]

Good luck Yeti,
I have only made traditional kilts.
If you do box pleats, I hear you only need 2 yards (or 4 yard half width).
Since it is cotton (I presume) you might want to try an X-kilt.
Wallace

[Pleater]

Sorry - DPM - Disruptive Pattern Material.

If you cut the material across the width you can make two 6 yard kilts from it - as long as you don't need more than about 22 inches in length. You can make a waistband a couple of inches wide

Slash pockets are the type where you cut horisontally, hang the pocket bag inside and then bind the raw edges? If you make the pocket bag from toning material and bind the raw edges with tape - you could make the belt loops from the same tape too.

It would mean careful measuring - but two kilts - thats got to be worth the bother.

[way2fractious]

I agree with Pleater about the reverse Kinguisse style. With my 32-33 waist and 40-41 breech, all my camo kilts with 2-inch pleats and full hip-to-hip aprons use about 5 1/2 linear yards. If you need to sew a final piece on for one of the aprons, the seam is easily done and hidden on the "return" of the deep pleat under the apron.

- Anyone got any easy instructions for adding on slash pockets?

Pockets?! An unnecessary complexity. I despise carrying anything in my p***s pockets and instead carry one of my sporrans as a "man purse"; kilted I wear it normally. Or, you could try sewing on a D-ring for snapping on a key. Kilts are about freedom... including the tyranny of stuffed pockets!

- Anything else for a outdoors/hiking kilt?

Belt loops, nylon webbing for a low-bulk belt, and low-profile 1-inch plastic side-snap buckles. If no belt at all, then just a little webbing for tabs and the plastic buckles. Webbing and plastic are washable (and also neatly go through airport and courthouse security.)

A couple 2-inch strips of hook-and-loop on the ends of the apron waistbands provide just enough "help" to get the other closures fastened without fighting them.

My knockaround kilts will never measure up to the quality standards of the professional kiltmakers, but they sure are fun to make and wear... and get dirty and wash... and wear again.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Keep it simple; keep it fun.

w2f

[Alan H]

My "hiking kilt"...which will probably will be the next one I bang out....will be digicamo.

1.) Knife pleated, probably 2.5-inch deep pleats with a 1.5 inch reveal. I'll sew down the outer edges of the pleats and bar-tack them at the fell. With those dimensions I'll have 16 pleats because my rump circumference is 48. Covering half of that in pleats makes 24 inches, and that's covered by 16, 1.5 inch pleats.

2.) Full-width, hip-to-hip apron, which will be about 24 inches, for both over and under-apron. Adding in a foot for the under-apron pleat and a foot for the reverse pleat on the right side, I come up with about 176 inches, or 4.8 yards of cloth.

3.) It wil close with velcro, be kept closed with a polypro strap/foldover velcro belt which I already have because all this has minimal mass to get under the hip belt. Since I'll wear it with a belt it will have 3-4 belt loops.

I will call it my way2fractious homage kilt because that's what it is.

However, I must admit that Pleater now has piqued my interest and I am tempted to make this a kinguisse style kilt. I hadn't thought of that, yet. It would be fun.

w2f has it right....this kilt should be fun to make and wear, fun to get dirty and not stress over, and simple. Keep it simple, keep it fun.

As for slash pockets, I bet you can do them, but that sure is a lot of work. How about a ten dollar nylon fanny pack for a sporran?

[Brian F]

Ok, I'm going with the Kinguisse style pleating. And no slash pockets, but I think I'm gonna' try to work a hidden pocket into the underapron, for keeping my wallet and stuff.

As for the webbing buckles, etc., that is something I won't be able to add right away. Velcro will be going on, as well as belt loops, but I plan to make some more of these in the future.

I am also using some camouflage cord to make my sporran strap, and the tassels on my sporran. I'm doing a not-quite-to-scale mock up tomorrow on paper, and then hopefully getting to the sewing!

Thanks for the suggestions, and keep them coming, as I plan to make more of these, like I said!

[O'Neille]

I've put many a hidden pocket in the first deep pleat and the last reversed pleat. Just sew a pocket shape into them and reinforce with some bartacks. Both end up under the apron and work well for keys, tickets, change. All that stuff that ends up in the bottom of a sporran. I've made them big enough for a hand but that is overkill. I'd say just big enough for three fingers retrieving a ticket stub is ideal.

I'll probably put a small key/ticket pocket in any kilt I make from now on. Here is a link to when I did some hand sized pockets on an earlier hiking kilt. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=20444