Going to sew my own kilt, any suggestions before I start?

[meinfs]

I'm gonna sew my own kilt within a week (have to prepare the sewing machine, get some more practice in with it, get some fabric and more thread). I will be making a "test kilt" probably using an old sheet or other very cheap [...]
My questions are:
* What's the best fabric for a utility kilt that is a good mix of function of cost. I don't want to spend more than $50 TOTAL for fabric for this kilt.
* Are there any diagrams or examples I can see online of pleats? I'm unsure of what kind of pleats to use and how much fabric they will need.
* Anyone know how to sew cargo pockets?
* Has anyone here made their own Utility kilt? If so, could you give me some tips and advice and maybe some pictures?

Any tips, advice and such would be appreciated.

Hi Mark and welcome to X Marks.

I would say go get your denim and not waste time on making a "test kilt" on old sheets.
But do know how to use the sewing machine. Cut a piece of denim and stitch zig-zags and straight stitches, reverse stitches, reinforced stitches etc. for practice. Practice with the excess fabric from your double-width. You're going to be handling a lot of material at the machine, so beware of how the fabric moves as it goes through the needle (use needles made for denim). Denim would fit your need for a sturdy fabric. I'm new at kilt-making so I don't have a lot of experience dealing with different fabrics.


These resources I've used and I recommend:
-- Alan H's X-Kilt manual is a great resource for a contemporary kilts sewn by machine. It has instructions on how to make cargo pockets and how many yards to use.

-- Barbara Tewksbury's book is what I followed to make a traditional kilt (made out of denim) that is hand-sewn. It's a wonderfully detailed book that you can use as a general resource and reference.
I mention that here (and I know you are not interested in making a traditional kilt), only because of my evolution as a budding kilt-maker. I used it first and learned a lot from it.


Check out my posts on here for pictures, etc.

My X-Kilt:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/m...026/index.html

My traditional (non-tartan) kilt:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/m...552/index.html


Good luck and show us pictures of your work!!!