First "traditional" kilt project

[Heming]

Hi all,

It's been a while since I let you know how this is going. We had a burst of early summer here, so I wallowed in the sun, and now I'm moving house, so little work is done on the kilt. But I've stitched over half of the pleats now (no picture yet, sorry), and feel that I'm well on the way (head in a cloud).

I've found out that the buckles I have, though VERY sturdy, are narrower than what Barb T. recommends in the book. Does it matter much if I use 3/4 inch straps (two straps)? Will it look silly and/or affect function?

Also, I've just finished my vest from the Folkwear vest and PC coatee pattern. Haven't tried the jacket pattern yet, but at least the vest pattern was easy to follow and had only one flaw: The instruction for the pockets are way off. I decided not to make passepoille (sp?) pockets anyway, so I used a common tailor's cheat and made a pocket flap without a pocket. I don't own a pocket watch, and I don't know what else I'd keep in a vest pocket... If anyone else is struggling with these pockets, PM me for usable instructions...

[Barb T]

I've found out that the buckles I have, though VERY sturdy, are narrower than what Barb T. recommends in the book. Does it matter much if I use 3/4 inch straps (two straps)? Will it look silly and/or affect function?

If you put on only two buckles (i.e., the apron edge has only the waist buckle and not a hip buckle), the kilt belt completely covers the buckles and straps when you're actually wearing the kilt, so the buckles and straps could be pink with rhinestones, and no one would know!

If you add a hip buckle, and the kilt is a man's kilt, a 3/4" strap is going to look a bit like the strap on a ladies' kilt skirt. So, my solution (in order not to have to buy new buckles and straps) would be to skip the hip buckle, which you don't need anyway.