Preparing to make my first kilt...some questions

[raibeart_dubh]

I have Barb's book and have read it a couple of times. I have some poly/wool fabric on the way that I got a deal on to make my first attempt. I still am a bit confused on some things though.

1. I am assuming this fabric will need to be hemmed. Does anyone have some color photos of the hemming process to show me how a finished hem on a kilt should look? Also, how does the hem affect the pleats if at all?

2. Why is the back join not performed until after the pleats are stitched? I am sure there is a good reason but it seems to me that this would be done right after ripping the fabric.

Thanks for any input! I am sure I will have many more questions as I get into actually making the kilt.

[Barb T]

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1. I am assuming this fabric will need to be hemmed. Does anyone have some color photos of the hemming process to show me how a finished hem on a kilt should look? Also, how does the hem affect the pleats if at all?

2. Why is the back join not performed until after the pleats are stitched? I am sure there is a good reason but it seems to me that this would be done right after ripping the fabric.

Thanks for any input! I am sure I will have many more questions as I get into actually making the kilt.

1. The instructions in the book have good drawings about how to hem a kilt - just follow them, and don't use a standard "double-fold" hem. If you do just a single fold, it won't affect the hang of the pleats at all. We even hem some of our 16 oz band kilts, and you can't tell.

2. Experienced kiltmakers commonly do the join right after ripping, but, until you've made a zillion kilts, it's very hard to tell exactly where the join will fall until you get the pleats done. If you do the join before the pleats, and the join winds up falling across a pleat fold, you'll have a huge ridge. I've done zillions of kilts, and I still do the join after pleating so that I can place the location of the join really carefully inside the pleat.

[raibeart_dubh]

Thanks, Barb!

I guess I had a hard time visualizing what the hem would look like. I thought it might affect the hang of the pleats. I'm glad to know that it won't!

The back join makes a lot more sense, now. I don't know why I didn't think of that.

I think in the process of learning and preparing to do this, my brain has been on overload and I end up over thinking the process

Thanks again and I'm sure I'll be asking some more questions once I get started!

[Barb T]

It's _really_ hard to pre-think the kiltmaking process. Much easier when you have fabric in hand and are working step by step. But ask any questions you want! I'm happy to answer them.

[herminator]

And always keep the book by your side!!
I never make a kilt anymore without Barb´s book within reach!

[Alan H]

I have a confession to make.

I always do the join right after I cut the tartan.

[Barb T]

No reason not to if you can visualize where the seam will fall.