The Art of Kiltmaking

[RonnieMac13]

My first kilt was a knife pleat; I have started the second it will be a box pleat using the supplement written by Barbara and Matt.

[piperdbh]

I just ordered a copy from Celtic Croft. In a few days I'll have some very interesting reading material.

[Dixiecat]

Have you ever pricked your finger with a needle while sewing? On a sewing machine?!

You talk as if you're the only person who's done that! Pricking your finger is to sewing like paper cuts are to office work. Everything I've made is considered incomplete unless I've shed a little blood.

But, on topic, I must agree, the Art is wonderful.

[Riverkilt]

Ahhh, the olde man's memories. As a youth I worked in a cut and sew factory. There were few men among the 200+ women working there. Somehow, it became my job to drive injured women to the hospital. From time to time someone would sew their fingers together with an industrial power sewing machine. Not pretty. They'd have to cut the threads binding them to the machine to get loose. The bosses had asked them all not to scream or shreak if they injured themselves and to try not to bleed on the gaments - sweat shop - didn't want 200 women to stop working to see what was wrong. Some screamed in pain anyway...some would just walk up to me holding their bloody fingers.

Hospital would cut the threads apart, pull them out, and dress the multiple wounds.

Guess you can't work around a sewing machine without eventually having it bite you.

[piperdbh]

My brother and I used to work in a screen printing and embroidery shop. I did the printing; he did the embroidery. Once he got a needle stuck through and broken off in a fingertip bone. That had to hurt!

[ForresterModern]

OK, about time for Barb T to plug her book (with Elsie S of course).

Hey Barb, how can we get a hold of a copy, how much does it cost, how much shipping, and will you autograph it before sending it?

I think after 11 bought kilts, with a few more in order, I ought to know more about how the dang things are made myself, so I can better recognize quality workmanship and design. Also I may need to delve into kiltmaking in a minor way, as my son has outgrown his infant kilt, and seeing the prices of those things (they are almost as expensive as a full adult kilt) I think I should at least see if I can make one as a winter project for my boy. In another thread I posted how I try to learn something, some new skill, each year---well this may be the year of learning kiltmaking for me. Kiltmakers have no fear---I am no threat to anybody's livelihood---only to myself. Wife wants to know when I had my last tetanus shot.

jeff

[tulloch]

Wonderful book. I have not made a kilt. I may never make a kilt. The book, however, made me more informed about kilts. I went back and saw mine in a different light, with more respect. It will, if nothing else, make me able to keep it in good shape longer. It is a wonderful work and I treasure mine. Thanks for making this available to the world!

[joecool]

A great thread! The Art of Kiltmaking is a fantastic book. Unfortunately I have only had the time to read through it once. I do intend to make make my own kilt someday, and I know that this book will guide me through every step of the process. Everyone who owns a kilt, and especially those thinking about making a kilt, needs to invest in a copy of this book!

[Smayniac]

One more plug for a great resource. I'm still machine stitching, but the book is the right tool for the job whatever you plan on doing to a kilt.

Bob

[Tartan Hiker]

Hey Barb, how can we get a hold of a copy, how much does it cost, how much shipping, and will you autograph it before sending it?

Here's the link:
http://www.celticdragonpress.com/