Kilt Number Two

[Doftya]

Hello everyone! I've got some pics of my new kilt. Finished it yesterday, wore it today. I previous kilt was a box pleated X-Kilt for which I followed the excellent X-Kilt manual. For this one, I wanted to try a tartan (my box pleated kilt was solid blue cotton twill), so I found some of the Ontario Provincial tartan at the local FabricLand. I had read here that the quality and grade of the fabric wasn't that good, but I wanted to try it as an experiment. It also helped that it was on sale, so add together the sale price, plus my wife's Member's Card discount, plus my wife's employee discount (yup, she works there as well), so I ended up getting it for a really good price. I had been thinking of getting a good book to learn by, but I got impatient and just got at it. I had found a couple of websites with some instructions of various qualities. Piecing info together from here and there, I seemed to get it done. There are things I will be doing differently next time, but as far as a learning experience, it was well worth it. Interestingly, I managed to squeek a fine to the line pleating out of a 5 yd piece of fabric. But I had to skimp on the double pleats for the aprons, 1/2 yard more fabric could have come in very handy. As well, my calculations for the taper were right, but the execution wasn't, more taper could have been used, but generally I am happy with this attempt.

On to the pics, please forgive to sloppiness, it needs to be pressed once more and I need to learn to wear it better. I shall study the examples of our fine forum members some more. Again, on to the pics:











The kilt pin I made after seeing the fine example made by another forum member dcorlis. Thank you for the fine example and idea! The hose were finely hand knit by my loving wife (who happens to think I look quite sexy in a kilt). The flashes I made following Barb's fine instructions on the forum. The sporran is a cheap one I picked up from Kiltmart just to get started. The belt, albeit only 1.5" wide, I happened to find at Walmart. It'll do until I get a proper belt.

Comments are welcome!

[ChattanCat]

I think you did a fine job. It's tougher with anything other than wool. PV is a great alternative. What material did you use?

[Nick the DSM]

Wow, thats really good, man! For a second time DIY, thats awesome! You should be proud.

BTW, I think the belt works, even if its too thin by standards.

[Pleater]

Yes, I think that you are right, slightly more width around the hip and a bit less at the waist - it will make the fell flow into the free pleats more easily.

I find that a belt reduces my waist size slightly and so my meaurements are not right.

That is non rotating tartan by the look of it - was the fabric double width? If so did you have to hem half of it to get the tartan to match?

It doesn't look skimped at all - in fact it looks really smart, particularly with those hose.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[JolyStNicholas]

Ya should be proud of your work there laddie, ya did a fine job indeed!

[SFCRick]

nice Tartan

[Doftya]

I think you did a fine job. It's tougher with anything other than wool. PV is a great alternative. What material did you use?

Sorry, I thought I had mentioned that. It is PV, but it does look and feel nice, although it is a bit light. But hey, for an experiment it's not that bad.

Yes, I think that you are right, slightly more width around the hip and a bit less at the waist - it will make the fell flow into the free pleats more easily.

I find that a belt reduces my waist size slightly and so my meaurements are not right.

That is non rotating tartan by the look of it - was the fabric double width? If so did you have to hem half of it to get the tartan to match?

It doesn't look skimped at all - in fact it looks really smart, particularly with those hose.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

I had left the hip measurement alone, I should have added an inch or so I think. The waist I already pulled in by an inch, maybe more next time. The tartan is non-rotating, but I used one 5yd length, so I've still got the other half awaiting another project. I added a simple hem to the bottom, the stitching of which I managed to hide in the bottom yellow stripe.

I figure I should practice on a couple more PV kilts then go for a tank. I'd love to get some of the Estonian National Tartan (my heritage is Estonian, the tartan was gifted by Scotland to Estonia in 2005) and have a proper kilt in that tartan. I may try some more of the Provincial tartans someday as well, a few of them are nice. The Maple Leaf Tartan is a beauty as well.

[NCMC]

Great looking kilt, well done. I am still trying to build up my courage to fire up the sewing machine.
Your wife did a great job on the hose. Do you mind sharing what pattern she used?

[Doftya]

Great looking kilt, well done. I am still trying to build up my courage to fire up the sewing machine.
Your wife did a great job on the hose. Do you mind sharing what pattern she used?

For the main hose she used this pattern. She differed from the patter with the cuff, for which she went freestyle. I made the mistake of picking up the yarn myself, way too heavy, although they will make great winter hose!

[Alan H]

I think that looks just grand, though it's a bit tight 'round the hips.. It needs an ironing, too, but so what? I agree the Pleater, but you know how to tweak the measurements a bit, you know what to do. Look at it this way, if you make another one out of the leftover of that tartan, incorporating what you learned from this one, it will be *killer*. Then you can pass this one on to a buddy and get him kilted as well.

Carry on!!!

Oh, and the hose are ruddy gorgeous.