X-Kilt in tartan? Good or bad idea?

**ardchoille** · 27th July 08, 03:06 PM

I have been reading Alan's wonderful X-Kilt instructions and I feel I can easily follow them. I was wondering, though, I have 5 yards of 11 ounce tartan (double-width). Would this be enough to make an X-Kilt? Should I even attempt this or is it best to use a single color material for an X-Kilt? Has anyone done this yet?

UPDATE - August 8, 2008
Went ahead and bit the bullet, there are pics!

**OFCJAX** · 27th July 08, 03:29 PM

It has been done before. The main difference between an XKilt and a standard box pleated kilt is the front, mostly the apron. On a standard box pleated kilt the apron and underapron are made the same way as a knife pleated kilt. Generally speaking about 1/2 as wide as the persons measurements. On an XKilt however, the front is smaller and the pleats come around further.
I've seen Hybrids of the two as well. A full sized apron with sewn done box pleats in back. Just remember that when using tartan that you have to make sure things line up properly. The XKilt is designed mainly for solid or random type (camo) patterns as this isn't needed. Also be aware of the thread color you choose to sew down the pleats on the fell. If you're gonna sew over the top (called topstiching BTW) that thread will show. You can try to hide it in a large solid portion of the sett, but unless it is a very large sett, you'll more than likely have to pass through other colors as well.

Hope this helps.

**ardchoille** · 27th July 08, 03:37 PM

You have a point. What I had planned to do was sew each box pleat from the inside of the kilt, hiding the stitching, then lay the inside of each pleat flat. A woman at a sewing class showed me how to do this and it made the box pleats look really nice with no visible stitching on the outside of the piece.

**Jerick** · 27th July 08, 04:52 PM

Do it

**Kiltman** · 27th July 08, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by ardchoille

You have a point. What I had planned to do was sew each box pleat from the inside of the kilt, hiding the stitching, then lay the inside of each pleat flat. A woman at a sewing class showed me how to do this and it made the box pleats look really nice with no visible stitching on the outside of the piece.

How about some photos of this in the DIY?