A question concerning the fringe on an apron

[Doftya]

I was wondering, I've seen quite a few kilts with the edge of the apron fringed. How does one put the fringe on the edge of the apron? Is is a matter of pulling threads and knotting them to keep the edge from unraveling?

[longhuntr74]

Pulling threads yes...but no knotting is required. Once you get about a 1/2" in, it shouldn't unravel anymore. That's one of the nice things about wool...the weave and type of fiber keep is from unravelling. When I made my last woolen Weskit (waistcoat) for my reenactment hobby, I left the edges raw...if you cut it and then run it thru a wash cycle to "full" the wool...some thread will unravel slightly, but then you trim them off and you won't need to worry about it from then on. Also...with kilt fringe, there's typically a double layer of fringed fabric inset along the edge of the kilt as well during the construction.

[The Wizard of BC]

When you add a fringe to an apron edge you have to sew the extra length of fabric to the apron right edge. You will be sewing two lines of stitching. One on the inner edge of the strip of fabric and one along the outer edge. The second line of stitching will prevent the fringe from unraveling further than the line of stitching.

That's all there is to it.

As you are retro-fitting the fringe you will need a strip of fabric that matches your Kilt. Unless you are making the Kilt yourself and have the scraps I don't know how you are going to find a strip of matching fabric.

But let's say you are making the Kilt yourself. To create the fringe you first plan for it as you lay out your aprons. You leave enough fabric beyond the apron edge to fold under the apron and back out again with an amount overhanging equal to the length of fringe you wish to have.
Then stitch the inner fold and again along the apron edge.

A hint when doing these lines of stitching.... carefully align the Tartan pattern on the inside of the apron first. Then again at the apron edge. This will cause the fabric to pucker at first. But as soon as you finish the sewing use your steam iron and steam the puckers flat. Wool takes this shaping very well. Other fabrics are less easy to get to lay flat but with patience and the application of plenty of steam you can get the puckers out.

Then you will find that the strip of fabric that will become your fringe will be slightly skewed. As you pull your yarns you will find that you will need to cut the yarns where they go under the apron. This will help the fringe to stop further fraying further.

I use a dog brush to help pull the yarns. You know the type. They are the kind where the brush is formed from small, thin wires.

This method will produce a single fringe. If you wish a double or triple fringe you will need an additional strip of fabric. Simply add this strip along the inside of your apron edge just as you did for the single fringe.

[longhuntr74]

Steve...a much better explanation from a professional kilt maker!! Thanks! All I could answer off from is what I read from Barb...look forward to making my own kilt in the near future. That being said, I may be contacting you at some point about an ACU kilt! I was checking out your website the other night...your work is impressive.

[Doftya]

BTW, this is a P/V kilt. I've made one X-kilt already, and I'd like to try a 5-yd knife pleated.

[Doftya]

Thanks for the info. I went for it none the less following the Wizard's advice. I'll be posting pics soon of the finished kilt.

Dave