For a lady...a kilt in silk or satin

[bonnie heather]

Thanks so much for the suggestions and comments.
JimB, thanks about the lining. Chattancat, thanks for alerting me that this fabric probably wouldn't hold a crease. Rex, thanks for your idea of using frogs. They would be absolutely beautiful and elegant. I like your other ideas, too. Tyger132, thanks for your comments on the frogs. Arlen, thanks for your good advice on sewing the pleat edges all the way down. Jamie, thanks for your idea about an inner kilt. I can't do that for this project because the swing and sway of the pleats is extremely important for highland dancing. Monkeyarms, thanks for your good suggestions. Actually, I was quite puzzled which category would be best for this thread. I thought the kiltmaker one really focused on traditional woolen tartan kilts, so not appropriate. I almost put it in the DYI, but then thought the Contemporary might get responses from people who use unusual fabrics. Is it ok to put this same thread in the DYI ? XMTS is such a wonderful forum and I love checking it out every day (although I'm still timid about posting).
Thanks so much.
...bonnie heather

[Alan H]

have you looked at tartan evening dresses? In fact, I am so in love with tartan evening dresses on lasses in general that I might start a thread on them.

[Rex_Tremende]

have you looked at tartan evening dresses? In fact, I am so in love with tartan evening dresses on lasses in general that I might start a thread on them.

You mean like these?

(Another excellent use of IOS)

[Pleater]

I am not certain - but I suspect that the materials will not need anything but careful pressing to hold a pleat - though for the satin I would advise rolled rather than sharp pleats as it might age rapidly on the edges of sharp folds.

If you want to sew the fell a fine cord in the edge of the pleat - so it is actually rounded rather than a sharp fold, might be advisable, and could be a good idea as the shine of satin can be rather unflattering where a corded pleat would make a subtle vertical surface feature.

I would advise - if you can find it, an antistatic underslip in a toning darker shade of the same colour, as when warm and moving satin in particular develops a static charge that can be quite painful when it earths itself.

I was planing to make a full length kimono in a rather nice green satin fabric, but fortunatly I draped it round myself and wore it for half an hour - and despite there not being a static problem in the house, I went past the cooker and the discharge shock really hurt. Maybe I will make it into curtains.

[Panache]

Thread title changes and moved to DIY forum at member request.

Cheers

Jamie

[bonnie heather]

Wow!!!! Those tartan evening gowns are wonderful. Rex, thanks for the photos. They're very inspiring. AlanH, it would be great to have a thread on that topic. It would be very exciting to make a tartan gown, but it looks ultra-challenging. Someday I'd like to make a long tartan silk box pleated skirt with a separate bodice (tartan or velvet). Right now, I'm still planning the silky kilt in delphinium blue. Pleater, thanks for the advice and info. I tried pressing a bit of the fabric and it seems to hold a pleat, though it probably will need re-pressing now and then. I'm planning on fully lining each apron with anti-static lining fabric. That's scary that you got shocks from your satin.
Jamie, thanks for your help with this thread.
...bonnie heather

[Pleater]

My ability to generate a charge is probably why I tend not to shake hands - though it can be quite amusing, particularly with men.

In the Summer I get shocks off some cars, depending on the seat covering material, and if I brush my hair in the dark it generates nano lightening sparks.

[string]

I want a tartan gown... but I can't figure out a reason to wear one *image of string walking to class in her brand new houndstooth wellies and a tartan gown*

Satin actually does hold a pleat decently, just must be well pressed and the heavier "dutchess" type.