Kilt hemming

[T-Bone]

I have about one yard hemmed. It is a bigger undertaking than I thought. It is easy to do, but I have 4 more yards.
I am basting before I stitch, but the edge is getting behind the further I go, where the lines of the tartan are not quite lining up on the back side. Will this cause issues? Any advice on fixing it before I get too much further?

Thanks,

Tony

[ChattanCat]

I have about one yard hemmed. It is a bigger undertaking than I thought. It is easy to do, but I have 4 more yards.
I am basting before I stitch, but the edge is getting behind the further I go, where the lines of the tartan are not quite lining up on the back side. Will this cause issues? Any advice on fixing it before I get too much further?

Thanks,

Tony

You should match up the tartan on the hem with tartan. Not only do you have to have the same length of hem but the hem also has to match the tartan on the front side. I push the needle in from the back side to see if it is on the same thread and then baste. Be careful and match the tartan.

[T-Bone]

My basting technique was a little more willy-nilly. I will be more careful in matching up the threads in relation to the lines.
It is a good thing I started on the underapron side.

[The Wizard of BC]

T-bone,

This is why we use the catch stitch. It is not taut. It allows for a slight movement of the two layers of fabric. This is needed because the the pleats cause the fabric to be folded on the inside one time and the outside another. The fabric needs to move slightly to compensate and not pucker.

When you are stitching keep an eye on the Tartan pattern. Every time you get to a line of the Tartan ensure that it is lined up. What most of us in the business do is put a pin through the two layers of fabric two or three inches ahead of your stitches and pull the two layers of fabric to keep them aligned.

[T-Bone]

Thanks, Steve, and everyone.

After about 4 feet, I really did not like the results. I made the stitches too small and too close together. I ripped out all of the stitches (well, I carefully snipped each one) and started over. I started again, but made the stitching a little larger and more evenly spaced. I did not have one instance of the hem tartan "wandering" off course. I pinned it about 5 inches, stitched it to the pin, moved the pin down, stitch, move, etc.
I pressed the hem and pleats last night. I thought this would be a major undertaking since the whole kilt would not rest on my ironing board, but I found out that the height it adjustable so I could make it the same height as my table. I gave the kilt a good shake and everything fell into place.

I will get some pics of it this weekend. I plan on wearing it hiking with my wife for my birthday.

Tony