California Kilt Camp

[way2fractious]

My inquiry and the response regarding the kiltmaking school at Lake Tahoe this coming August. I'm seriously considering taking a soothing, sewing vacation at 6,500 feet elevation.


----- Original Message -----
From: way2fractious
To: clanmcafee@prodigy.net
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 11:24 AM
Subject: Kiltmaking school

Is this school still to be held 5th through 9th August 2006?
What is the class size limit?
What will be the charge?

----- Reply -----

Hi, way2fractious.

The cost is $275 tuition, $30 lab fee for sewing supplies. The Book is available for $35, but not required.
Yep, we're shooting for August 5-9th.
We're limiting the class to 10.
I can send you a flyer and registration form if you like.

All the best,

Paul

[way2fractious]

I got leave from my wife (social director, banker, and all-round custodian of my soul!) to sign up for the 5-day session at Lake Tahoe in August. I might have to mention it to my employer before then, too.

The really hard part is to decide which tartan I want to destroy... er, I mean, sew up. I already have some 16 oz Weathered MacLaren (and know where it is) and some 13 oz MacDonald of the Isles Hunting Old Colours (which I have to "find" again.) Also, 5 metres of X-Marks tartan should show up before then.

Which tartan to use?...
What type of pleats to attempt?...
What kilt to wear while sewing?... (at least a kilt... mixed company, and all, you know.)

My variety of "jonesing" seems to differ from most on this board; I don't just wait for a kilt to appear, instead, I have to decide which one to make next!

[Pleater]

Just keep sewing - thats the only way to keep your head above the level of the cloth - at least that is what I am finding.

The kilt camp dates are, I think, the same as Sidmouth Folk Week in England, so I will take myself off there and in between the singing and playing and drumming (my excuse is that it is really good for my tinnitus) I will relax with some pleat sewing.

I will be the envy of quite a few as, even though there has been a gradual increase in the numbers of unbifurcated garments of various kinds, kilts in traditional styles have been rare, and much admired.

I hope to have folded a good few feet of cloth between now and then, and to have a good assortment of kilts to wear - maybe one for each day of the week.

Must sew more and buy less cloth - and find some stronger hangers or more drawer space!!

Maybe in future years kilt making could be included as a craft skill to learn at Sidmouth.

I bet the Kilt making camp is going to be far more restful than the festival week.

[way2fractious]

How am I supposed to wait clear until August!? Let's see... April, put in place all logistics for a two-week cycling tour in June; May, train for the tour; June, take the tour; July, block out the whole month for year-end close and audit at work. Then it will be August!

Just keep sewing - thats the only way to keep your head above the level of the cloth - at least that is what I am finding.

You're right, that's the only way to fight the wait. The project that has captured my attention is a kilt (of course!) with a patchwork leather apron and military box pleats in a lightweight cloth. I have found that my hand stitching has gotten more consistent, and I'm not afraid to tackle the twenty 1-inch pleats. Pics will follow shortly as I try to document my process for pressing in the seemingly impossible pleats. (I did a small practice piece using a cotton non-tartan plaid, pleated to the stripe. It came out looking very good, too.)

Maybe in future years kilt making could be included as a craft skill to learn at Sidmouth.

How are you supposed to get any rest at the fair if you start thinking along the lines of becoming an instructor or demonstrator? Won't that take away from your sewing time?