X kilt Second attempt

[RK-REX]

Alan says it's not an X kilt anymore......

Well, it sounds to me like you've advanced beyond
making an X-Kilt and are just "making a kilt"!

Well, after my last go 'round CLICKITY-CLICK with that godforsaken spandex laden fabric, I decided to get away from solids and go for it with a nice piece of cotton/rayon blend I purchased on Ebay for a few bucks. It's actually two sided upholstery fabric, but I liked the looks of it for an "outdoorsy" kilt.

The MacCouch Tartan!!
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It even came with a selvage edge
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I measured out my length and added a bit for fraying at the top.
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And began to tear the fabric, deciding that if it works for everyone else, it should work for me. Because I'm going to use knife pleats and pleat this kilt to the stripe (Unless I've confused my terms again.) and I only have a bit more than 3 yards of material, I need to seam it somewhere for more length. I'm not sure exactly as of now, but I think I'll do it at the inner fold of the deep apron pleat. I'm going to have 24-25, 1" reveal knife pleats.
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The resulting pile of fabric.
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Since I have the stripe to go by, I'm not laying out anything other then the fell line so I know how far up to press the pleats. I'm not going to have much taper since the difference in the rear and waist measurements is only three inches. Here's the first few pleats pressed in.
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Well, this is all I did last night. I've got half of the pleats finished and pinned for storage. I am noticing a bit of a downward slope of the selvage edge from not keeping my pleats perfectly straight. I'm going to have to try and correct this when I sew the edges. It shouldn't be a problem.
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When I was folding things up to store them away until the next session, I noticed the inside of the pleats. It even looks nice on the inside. I may have enough fabric left to do a traditional X kilt and use this pattern.
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More to come...
And yes, I did have the prerequisite adult beverage nearby, it just escaped the piccies.

[Big Paul]

That's going to make a sharp kilt!! I can't wait to see the finish product!!

[Alan H]

Yeah, that will look nice. Only 3 inches of taper? You can ALMOST not bother with taper at all, with that little bit of a difference between butt and hip. I'd do it anyway, but instead of getting uber-careful about measuring out 3/25's of an Inch, just taper every pleat "just a scooth" meaning about an eighth of an inch. That'll work out plenty close enough.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I really like the subtle colors on that MacCouch-you'll blend in well in a used furniture store. Seriously though, it looks great! And you're right, the inside (pleated to no stripe) looks good too. Can't wait to see it belted on.

Be well,

[Arlen]

You know, I'd actually like both a kilt and a couch in that tartan.
Very nice.

Hope to see it completed soon.

[RK-REX]

Not a whole lot more, but I have all of the pleats pressed in. If the color looks funny it's because I used a wet cloth to give it another press after it was finished and it's a bit damp. I am still going to have to sew the edges, but at least I'll have the shape somewhat there. I'm going to let it rest in this position for awhile. I may not pin the rest until I begin to sew.

Speaking of sewing, I have a question for those watching this who make kilts. Do I sew the inside pleats as well??

25" of pleats... I have more respect for the real kilt makers among us with every step I take toward completion of this project. Still fighting that "curvature" of the pleats, but I think (hope) I can get it straight once I start to sew.
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This is formerly 146" of fabric.
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Perhaps this session seemed to try my patience more because I only drank water while working on it??? Off to bed, someone have a pint for me, I've got to get up very early tomorrow.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

This is cotton material right? I WOULD sew up the inner pleats. And have many adult beverages on hand-very tedious. But not as tedious as trying to press the pleats into order every time you wear it (if you DON'T sew up the innder edges of the pleats)!

Be well,

[RK-REX]

Very true. It is a cotton rayon blend. It holds a crease, but not as well as I'd like. I'll flip it over and give it another good press from the inside so the inner pleats are well defined, then begin sewing NINE HUNDRED inches of pleat. The things I get myself into all in the name of looking good. LOL

Thanks for the advice Goddess.

[Arlen]

Looking really good so far. You seem to have a knack.

[GlassMan]

I still think that anyone who tries to make a kilt themselves is far braver than I.