First Trad Kilt: an ongoing thread

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I found it hard to assume the pleating position, for much the same reason that I find kilts more comfortable than pants.

Any suggestions on getting around that?

Chasem, I don't have any suggestions, but I have found the same problem, and compounded by the fact that I am left handed! Which Barb does warn about in her book will be a problem. I understand that the instructions are written to start with the over apron and then work to the left (as worn) around the kilt until finishing the underapron, which I think is smart, as you can then hide any mistakes in the underapron, or sew on a small bit of material if you calculated wrong, but it is certainly a pain for us lefties. And I mean that in a very specific way. I stitched the first pleat on my kilt 2 nights ago and I did not attempt to translate Barb's instructions to a leftie. I measured and then held the pleat tight with my right hand (the portion that fit between my two largest fingers holding fabric tight against where I held the same pleat with thumb and ring finger) and stitched that portion by hand. Then moved my right hand up the fell and started stitching again. By the end of the first pleat, my right hand was in agony and cramping! Needless to say, for this kilt, I will be machine stitching the pleats, measuring them like Barb says still. Luckily my thread is so close a match that they are barely visible, whether machine or hand stitched.

[Alan H]

I didn't do nuttin' on the kilt this weekend. Instead, I painted a bunch of the interior of the boat with 5x concentration mildew resistant bathroom paint. I've been meaning to do this for 2 years, now it's finally done. I also bought a secondhand space heater and a timer to keep on the boat during the winter.

[Barb T]

If you want, I can have Dave take a picture of me stitching pleats "in the position". Would that help?

B

[Alan H]

If you want, I can have Dave take a picture of me stitching pleats "in the position". Would that help?

B

YES!!!!! **vigorous head nodding**

I'll be basting the lines for the over-apron tonight, pleating is coming up soon.

[Southern Breeze]

Great thread, can't wait for more.My apologys for the lack of updates on my own progress.I've gotten about halfway finished,but I've ran into a rather nasty suprise-arthritis in my hands.I knew I had a slight case for severel years and it didn't bother me.All this handsewing has aggravated it.It's not enough to make me stop,it's just slowed my progress to a crawl.Now I'm able to take my time and really get it right.
Maybe I'm being punished for breaking the first commandment of kiltmaking-Thou shall not be hasty.

[chasem]

Mine is nearly done, so I'll wait until it's done to post pictures and such, as I haven't taken any yet. All I have left to do is sew in the lining and remove the basting stitches.

It's hunting stewart in Celtic Croft's homespun wool, but it works for the first one.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Mine is nearly done, so I'll wait until it's done to post pictures and such, as I haven't taken any yet. All I have left to do is sew in the lining and remove the basting stitches.

It's hunting stewart in Celtic Croft's homespun wool, but it works for the first one.

Chasem, keep us posted. I am interested in how the Celtic Croft's homespun wool woks for a kilt. I had thought about it as well.