X-Kilt under-apron modification question

[Dave K]

I'm interested in making an X-Kilt for myself. I've done the measurements
and decided that for my 41in rump, I would like to go with an 8in apron (8in+11pleats*3in) rather than an 11in apron (11+10*3). The instructions suggest that for such a narrow apron you may want to have a larger under-apron for modesty's sake. While I've never been much for modesty, I think I'll do it for other people who may be offended if they see a little too much of me. How much longer should the under-apron be? I'm thinking 2 to 3 inches. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[OFCJAX]

That sounds about right.

Think of it this way. You want to be sure you can't see the outer edges of the aprons touching each other if you spread your legs (for whatever reason).
The pleats will give you some leeway but a larger under apron will help.

[Tartan Hiker]

And I'd recommend that you re-think making the overapron so narrow. The narrower it is, the more the edges will curl outward. 8" is mighty narrow.

[meinfs]

For me about 3-4 inches more (total ~15", i.e. 11" front apron).

In general, make sure the under-apron covers up to the lefthand side of the left thigh, after centering the front apron, regardless of the front apron width.

(I tend to like wider front aprons myself.)

[Alan H]

How's it going to hurt if you make it 6-8 inches wider for aa total of maybe 15-17 inches or so? huh? How will it hurt if you make the under-apron reach all the way over to your left hip?

answer: it won't!

my own X-Kilt has a narrow apron like yours, and it hangs fine. However. if you make a wider apron, say 4-6 inches narrower than your half-hip measurement, you'll have fewer pleats to sew and a slightly more traditional look. You pick.

[KiltedBrewer]

I just made myself an x-kilt and I used almost exactly the same measurements you're talking about. I had an 8" overapron, and I made the underapron long enough to reach my hipbone on my left. (Sorry I don't remember the exact measurement.)

I waited to set the left edge of the underapron until I had nearly everything else done (short of adding the waistband and belt loops) so I could wrap it around myself and adjust the width of it based on how the rest of the kilt turned out.

David

[Pleater]

If you make the under apron so the edge of it is running knee to hip along the thigh bone, and with a generous pleat beneath it at the right side so that if you lift your right leg the under apron is not pulled askew, then the upper apron can be made as narrow as you like, though a similarly generous under pleat would be wise, so when you sit down there is enough material to fall between the thighs.

I suspect, from the few naughtily over exposed snapshots I have accidentally chanced upon, the photographer could have been thwarted if only there had been larger pleats each side of the apron, so that lifting a knee or squatting down would simply have opened out that pleat rather than provided an unfortunate photo opportunity.

I would suggest shaping the edges of the apron, as the bottom can appear narrower than the waist due to it hanging in a curve - something on the same lines as vertical columns looking thin in the middle if they are made exactly straight sided.

Anne the Pleater

[Kiltman]

Some of the photos that appear are fakes. But I do agree with Pleater on how one can solve the difficulty.

[Dave K]

Thanks everyone. I have begun work on my X-Kilt and will let you know how it goes. Thanks again.