Success!

**bubba** · 4th September 04, 09:05 PM

My first project was a Yukata, Japanese cotton kimono type robe, for my wife. It's her favorite robe. From there I just worked on projects I liked, but I took my time on them all. I also use a magnetic guide to help keep my stitching straight.

**MDR-V300** · 4th September 04, 09:21 PM

A magnetic guide? How does it work?

**bubba** · 4th September 04, 09:34 PM

It's sold in the notions section of most any fabric store. You just stick it on the metal plate on the bed of the machine at the distance from the needle you want for the seam allowance. It has a flat face that guides the fabric so it's easier to get a straight seam.

**MDR-V300** · 5th September 04, 03:54 PM

Thanks.
I don't think that would be too useful for me, but I'll look and see next time I go to the fabric store. My success with this plain black number has inspired me to make a plaid one. I found a poly/viscose maple leaf tartan for $8-$9 per meter, which is great. Maybe this time I'll buy a thimble to protect my poor thumb from all of the hand-sewing.

I'm going to ask this in another forum too, but where does the difference come in between a 4-yard and an 8-yard kilt? Is it all in deeper pleats?

**bubba** · 5th September 04, 04:43 PM

Yup, pretty much so. Deeper pleats and narrower pleats and more of em. I found a MacKinlay tartan on the web for $5 a yard in poly/rayon. Look at the green tartan with the red lines in my album. It's very nice stuff. If you're interested in ordering some I can get the URL for you.

**Rigged** · 5th September 04, 05:22 PM

I'm totally envious of those of you with the skilled hands for sewing. I tried making a simple khaftan and even after figuring out how to get my new sewing machine to work, it still turned out pretty badly.

It was good enough for its intended purpose as a costume for Burning Man, but good for nothing else.

I'll leave kiltmaking to the pros and stick with what I do best, once I figure out what that is.

**MDR-V300** · 5th September 04, 06:31 PM

That's a pretty nice tartan, if you're talking about the first one in your gallery. Not that the other kilts aren't nice, of course.

I'd like the url, if it's not too much trouble. I've got my sights set on a maple leaf tartan for now, but a cheap practise tartan might help build some skill/confidence. Probably a good idea, since this kilt is the first thing I've ever made.

**bubba** · 5th September 04, 07:42 PM

The one I'm talking about is the one on the roll. The other one I found at Hancock Fabrics for $3.99 a yard. The poly/rayon is essentially a Black Watch with the red lines added.
http://www.bestfabric.com/cgi-bin/sh.../SID=121636169
The pic in my album shows it much better than the one on the website. By all means check the bargain and sale fabrics at a local fabric store, like Hancock or Jo Anns. You can find some great deals now and then.