A great appreciation for kiltmakers

[ardchoille]

Today I was out walking when I felt something against my leg. I brushed the area and continued only to find the feeling was back. I inspected the hem of my kilt and noticed the blind hem stitch was coming apart. This kilt was two inches too long so I had a seamstress hem it up so just above my kneecaps.

When I got home I took my kilt off, grabbed a needle and thread. Upon inspection it looked like the hem was coming out of the entire length of the kilt. This is a knock-around kilt so I thought I'd make the repairs myself.

After three hours, a hundred stitches, and a very sore thumb, I was done.. and you couldn't see the hem from the outside of the kilt so I know I did it correctly.

If you're going to do any sewing work, buy a thimble - sewing your thumb to the tartan is no fun. I now have a deeper appreciation for kilt makers, you folks are awesome - seriously, anyone with the patience and skill to hand-make an entire kilt (3,000+ stitches?) deserves a medal.

Hugs to all kilt makers!

[ChattanCat]

I have tried a thimble, but my fingers are too large for the thimbles at Joanne's. I have built up quite a calus on my middle finger of my right hand. It works for me, but I don't care about the calus on my finger. Others might buy a thimble to fit, there are some available on the web.


Wallace

[McMurdo]

Here is Barb's thread about making a thimble you might want to give it a try.

[ardchoille]

Here is Barb's thread about making a thimble you might want to give it a try.

Excellent thread.. thanks for posting it. I'll see about getting hold of some leather.

[ChattanCat]

Excellent thread.. thanks for posting it. I'll see about getting hold of some leather.

Barb later tried her DIY thimble and didn't like it.
"Actually, I've tried this one, and it's too wimpy for kiltmaking. It's soft, and it slides around, and the deerskin wears out too fast. The original Dritz design that I copied is much sturdier, lasts longer, and doesn't slide around on your finger.

Cheers,

BActually, I've tried this one, and it's too wimpy for kiltmaking. It's soft, and it slides around, and the deerskin wears out too fast. The original Dritz design that I copied is much sturdier, lasts longer, and doesn't slide around on your finger.

Cheers,

B"

[wsk]

Barb later tried her DIY thimble and didn't like it.
"Actually, I've tried this one, and it's too wimpy for kiltmaking. It's soft, and it slides around, and the deerskin wears out too fast. The original Dritz design that I copied is much sturdier, lasts longer, and doesn't slide around on your finger.

I think that Barb was referring to the thimble referenced in this reply to her DIY thimble thread:

Barb, I found this leather skin thimble that seems to be what you show in your design.

I thought I'd post the link in case it is something you could recommend.

http://www.thimblesetc.com/functional.html

[ChattanCat]

I think that Barb was referring to the thimble referenced in this reply to her DIY thimble thread:

Yes, I believe that I misunderstood. Thanks for clearing up my confusion.

Wallace