If I were to write out directions, who would make a mini-kilt?

[Alan H]

Before I volunteer to do this....because my time is terribly tight these days, I want a show of hands.

1. would you make one and
2. if you made one, would you post pictures here on X-Marks of your handiwork on the lady who gets the skirt?

I will be honest. the X-Kilt project was to design a kilt that pretty much anyone could make. A *bunch* of guys and gals have made them, but only about 5-6-7 of you have posted pictures of your creations. Part of the whole idea was to "conquer fear" in X-Marks members, as well as educate ourselves by:
A.) giving you/us reasonably easy-to-read instructions
B.) laying the X-Kilt out in non-sewing manner, using easy stuff like rulers (or framing squares) and chalk so that sewing-impaired guys (and gals) could still make one and then
C.) seeing that other people have made a kilt by viewing the picturres of others creations. The idea was basically to capitalize on the mentality "if so-and-so can do it, then I bet *I* can do it."

A couple of X-Markers have really done great things to help the "X-Kilt Project"...notably Tartan Hiker and the F-H.C.A.G. Several other guys have shown their X-kilts, like Mowgli and Bee-Dee and Keepoffthegrass, for example. THANKS!

But how about the other twenty of you that have made X-kilts? Pictures??? Of course it's your option to post them if you want to, and not post them if you don't, but remember that your pictures will help encourage the NEXT guy who is thinking of making an X-Kilt. Once someone makes an X-Kilt, they 1. have a kilted garment to wear and 2. have an appreciation of what the REAL professionals do, and how good their stuff is and why they cost what they do.

All right...that rant is now over, and I won't harp on it again.

***********************

My Proposal

I am willing, if enough guys/gals say they'll do it, AND WILL PROMISE TO POST PICTURES OF THEIR WORK ...to write up a manual on how to make a simple pleated miniskirt like what I made for the F-H.C.A.G, Lovable Lora and Girlfriend Jamie (and am currently making for Tim C's Lady, Damaris)

This is EASY....even easier than the X-Kilt, and it doesn't HAVE to be a miniskirt, it can be a knee-length skirt. All you have to do is adjust the length, right? This will be a simple 10-15 pleat (depending on hip size), three-yard, close-with-velcro, no-belt-loops skirt. ...nothing fancy or super-dressy, but great on a warm day or to wear to the Games.

Dirka Skene, I'm lookin' at YOU, girlfriend!!! And THIS is a challenge! LOL!!! If you can thread a sewing machine and can find six hours of time to do this, you CAN make a simple pleated tartan miniskirt. Draft Dirk Skene to come on over and help; two heads are better than one, eh? Think about the feeling of pride you will have when nit's all done and you strap that thing on 'round your rumpside and step out with it. YOU will have made it.... you'll know every stitch that went into it, every cool thing, every little goof that you made and had to rip out, the whole shebang. It will be YOURS, the way that no purchased garment can be. On top of that, when you get a kilted skirt from Kelly at USA Kilts, you will know in an instant when you look at it, what care went into the manufacture of that garment. You will know how good she is at what she does, and why it cost what it did because you've done the same thing. By making a piece of clothing, you develop an appreciation for the art and craft of clothesmaking, and there's something to be said for that.

You CAN do this. I promise.

OK, so pipe up, X-Markers and X-Mark lasses. If I write a manual on how to do it, who will go buy 1-3 yards of inexpensive tartan and make a light, pleated skirt for their lady (or ladies, make one for yourself)?

[Dirka Skene]

First, I have to get a sewing maching. Second, I have to find a spot to put the darn thing. Third, I don't know anything about a sewing machine. You have to thread them? They're so expensive, you'd thing they'd thread themselves.

[Nick]

I'd love to make one for my Lady, but I don't think she'd let me put pictures of her up on the net. I'll have to ask her.

[Dirka Skene]

I would sure try, if I had a sewing machine.

[brandycr]

would make one for myself

[BEEDEE]

Put me down to work on one.

Brian

[David Thornton]

Not me, I like mine traditional length.

David

[Mumbles]

If I was still with my girl, Id definitely be down to make one when I got back in the states. Though, I think I would be interested nonetheless.

[Alan H]

I'd love to make one for my Lady, but I don't think she'd let me put pictures of her up on the net. I'll have to ask her.

Tell her that you'd use a paint/photo program to fuzz out her face so nobody would recognize her. That's what a fair number of my friends do.

[Tartan Hiker]

My wife liked my new Thompson Camel box-pleat so much that she wants me to order some more PV and make a skirt for her. I'd be interested in seeing how skirt instructions differ from what I've already done...so I guess there's another hand!

And just let me digress a moment to second what Alan H said in his "rant". I didn't know how to thread the machine when I started, either. Wonderful wife helped me with that hurdle, and now there's no looking back. 5 X-kilts and a tartan box-pleat done so far...and I'd never sewn anything before in my life. You can do it!!!

And yet another big THANK YOU to Alan H for all the time he's invested in this project.