A lesson learned the hard way-A tale of 2 pieces of tartan

[NorCalPiper]

About a year ago, i had to emergency wash one of my absolute favorite kilts (heather Isles tartan) after spilling a very orange, spicy curry all over the front apron. It was too much spill to dab off, and because of the presence of tumeric in Indian food, i could not afford to wait to take it to the cleaners. I tok a chance and delicate cycled it and the stains were removed perfectly. Even though it was set to cold tap water, the agitation cause the material to shrink length wise...Alas my favorite kikt was no longer to be for me and went to another loving home.
Anyway, speaking with Locharron a couple of weeks ago on a seperate matter, I was being given some hot deals on remnants, and heather isles was mentioned. 2 off cuts equalling about 5 yards were available, and since I'm trying to get some more kilts in my new......ahem....larger measurements, I figured I'd go for it and make a nice 5 yard lilter for myself in my favorite tartan! Fast forwrd- Recieved the material and began excitely going through the motions of preparing the material for construction. I did some preliminary chalking and set forth to joining the 2 pieces. As I sewed down the join, I realized at the end that the selvage on one was about 1/2 inch longer than the other!?!? I racked my brain on what I coukd do to even the line, but it just was not possible without throwing off other more important areas. I'm almost done constructing the kilt, and I've done a good job of pleating to hide the inconsistancy, but being how I am, it will always seem like a blatant white elephant.....Lesson learned- ask if the offcuts are from the same bolt!!

[Hothir Ethelnor]

I got some material where the selvage on one side of the bolt was about 1/4" larger than the other side. This was in the actual threadcount not a simple stretching issue.

Sometimes making a kilt with a join in it is bad enough...

[Elf]

This puts me in mind of asymetrical setts where joining two peices will not be possible with a uniform selvege edge. Thankfully I have not had to deal with this yet. It sounds like a hem might have been required. See TOFKM for instructions. And condolences on the old kilt.

[NorCalPiper]

I've actually just finished the kilt. I was able to make the join in such a way that the discrepancy is as small as possible. Good news is that the kilt came out nicely, and I am absolutely glad to have my Heather Isles tartan back in action (My absolute FAVORITE tartan). Only problem is there are a couple of pleats where the bar lines don't "Perfectly" match up due to the selvage inconsistency. I guess its probably not even noticeable, but being the kilt, perfectionist snob I am, I'll always be a little irritated...At least I can't see it, so maybe the feeling will pass...Anyway, pics soon!

Side note--Very strange after having a set kilt size for almost 2 1/2 years. Being a daily wearer, you actually get to know the feel of each kilt, and now that I'm sized up...Its a new strange experience.