X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers. - DIY Kilt and Accessories Help

Knit Balmoral Help

yodofizzy — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:37:44 GMT

Summer is quick at hand, and I have quite a few projects in mind that I'd like to do finish by then end of summer. Namely, I'd like to knit a Balmoral similar to the ones that Usonian made (a fantastic job, by the way). I have a little knitting experience, I've made a few scarves and other flat things using garter stitch, stockinette stitch, and various ribbings.
I went to my local craft store yesterday, but was dismayed to find no 100% wool anywhere. This means I have to go to a specialty yarn shop, which is quite a trek from my house. This means I have to call ahead to make sure they have exactly what I want before I can work it up to go all the way out there (Brand an color)
The question is, does anyone have any specific brands that they would recommend for the Balmoral project,
and
Are there any colors that you could suggest that I use for the project?
I'm trying to make one that looks good with the Freedom of Scotland Tartan, depicted here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...updated-76932/
and Crawford Modern (I hope to get this one eventually) Shown here: http://www.scotchcorner.com/tartans/...ord-modern.jpg

Lastly any tips or advice for the project would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Where can I get a Robert Mackie balmoral?

MizzouScotsman — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:27:22 GMT

I am looking to pick up another Robert Mackie balmoral, perhaps on in Lovat green. I purchased my first one from Dunadd but they are no longer in business. I shall keep looking but I know that the rabble will be its normal font of knowledge.

Thank you in advance.

Just got my Xmarks tartan

Bearded Man Brew — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:50:24 GMT

Just received my Xmarks Tartan yesterday. It is definaely alot darker than I thought but i must say it is gorgous. Cant wait to finish up a few projects so I can start on working with this fabric.

Stretch a Balmoral

super8mm — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:16:43 GMT

My Balmoral is a bit to small, are there any ways to stretch it a bit?

I thought of cutting a slit in the back and using some elastic in it but not sure if that is the way to go?

Sporran too stiff to snap

super8mm — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:12:05 GMT

I got a new Bovine or Equine Hide Sporran and it looks great but I have a slight problem.

The flap is so stiff I can not get it to snap shut. any ideas on how to soften up the flap some?

DIY Full Mask Fox Sporran

Nathan — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:29:07 GMT

So I found a fox wrap in a local thrift store and thought it would be a fun DIY project to convert my old DND sporran into a full mask sporran. I've had some success but I'm wondering the following.

1) What is the best method to affix the pelt to the leather. The spray adhesive I used didn't really do the trick and I don't have leather working tools to sew it on. It's wearable, but I don't think it will hold in the long term. I could do trial and error with various other glues, but I thought I'd ask the rabble.

2) These eyes are cheap and creepy looking. I'm considering going sans eyes to give it a look like the eyes are closed. Does anyone have an inexpensive source on better looking eyes that would fit? I've seen pairs for like $20 bucks locally but they aren't even ideal and I'm really trying to avoid cost creep.

Let me know your thoughts!

Nathan

full mask.jpg

Newbie constructing a sherriffmuir type jacket

OCD: obsessive collie dog — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:28:46 GMT

After a number of years surviving on shop bought Kilts, Jackets and equiptment, I decided to "Go off-piste" in constructing my own jacket.
I didn't want a Charlie or Argyle (got one:lol:) so that left a mess jacket style, so I looked and liked the style of the Sheriffmuir ( and seemed local since my family were Stirling/Trossachs)
Colour :Bottle green, not vevet, so barathea, so off to trawl the shops & market stalls : Succes!

Where to find a pattern? Nothing seems to exist( every pattern seemed to be out of stock or printed on bank-notes on e-bay:evil:). so my options seem to be adapt from other uses. I ended up with a Burda 2471 "Napoleon " as a basis.

The vest has been straightforward ( lengthen by 2": I'm 6'5" & long in the back)
So, now I'm cutting the "tails" and lenthening the pattern appropriately. Will update as I go along!

Leather dye and kilts

Germankilter — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:53:02 GMT

I am looking to build or modify a leather belt. But I'm worried about the dyes. I have used dyes on leather before on boots, but every time I wore them it turned my socks black ( dye color). How do I keep the dyes from rubbing off on my kilts.

Plethora of Pleat Options - What do you think looks best?

kiltedrennie — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:40:19 GMT

My copy of The Art of Kilt Making arrived yesterday I was up late last night reading the first for chapters and took some photographs of possible pleating styles for my cheep-plain-weave-asymmetric-not-a-tartan wool fabric. I just cannot bring myself to attempt my first kilt project with $50/yd tartan. This was only $6/yd.

I don't think it's possible to pleat to the sett with this stuff. At least I wasn't able to figure it out.

Sorry about the quality of the fold and pics - it was midnight when I took them.

I'm pretty sure which I like best, but I'd like to get other opinions.

Pleat #1

Pleat #2

Pleat #3

Pleat #4

Question #1 - XKilt project

revbook — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:16:17 GMT

Well, I took the first step in my XKilt project and had my wife measure me. Technically it is the second step, I'm counting the first step as reading Mr. Hebert's instructions three times! Back to the measurements, waist, rump, fell and drop. The "bible" provides instructions on making your kilt to the rump measurement and tapering IN to the waist measurement. There lies the rub! My waist measures 41" at the navel while my rump measures 39 1/2"!! After sewing-in the box pleats do I them taper the kilt OUT 1 1/2" or simply make the waist and rump the same dimension...a tube? I was made in America from Scottish parts but seem to have been short changed in the rump department.

Hose pattern - non-knit

Droid — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:40:06 GMT

Hello! Does anyone have a pattern, or know of a good tutorial, for making those old style socks/hose made from extra tartan material? I would like to make a pair or two.