My first attempt at kilt-making

**meinfs** · 26th June 08, 09:53 PM

Hello folks. I just joined XMarks about a month ago, mostly reading. I finally posted my first one last week.

Here, I would like to share some pictures of my first effort at making my own kilt. I don't sew but have had to do a lot of it lately.

First off -- here's my pride and joy:

(That's my square dance club name badge pinned on the shirt).

Another one. I was trying it out. You can still see the basting on the front.

I went out tonight square dancing in my new kilt. This is a closeup of the pleats after I came back from dancing.

A closeup:

Left side view:

Right side view:

The kilt is handsewn following Barb T.'s excellent book "The Art of Kiltmaking" which I got a couple of weeks ago. The kilt is 7.6 yd, 12-oz. blue denim from JoAnn's. The sporran and kilt pin are from Stillwater Kilts (SWK). The belt is from The Kilted Nation (TKN). My shoes are a pair of 8-yr old Timberlands which I love.

I hope to make more kilts. Next up, Alan H.'s X-Kilt!

WARNING: if you decide to use denim, follow Alan H's recommendation of pre-shrinking the store-bought fabric before using/cutting it. I washed my denim in hot water setting and dried in a regular dryer (hot). After it has dried, I washed it again in hot water settings. With thanks to Tartan Hiker's recommendations: With the finished denim kilt, wash it (if you have to) using cold water settings and then line dry.

**Jake_S** · 27th June 08, 06:46 AM

That is a great looking kilt. Great job on your first kilt.

And

to the rabble.

Jake

**Cynthia** · 27th June 08, 06:50 AM

You did a great job! It's very nice. And ooooooh, I want that book!!!

Thanks for sharing with us

**McMurdo** · 27th June 08, 06:54 AM

That looks absolutely wonderful, congratulations on the kilt, wonderful work good for you.

**pdcorlis** · 27th June 08, 07:10 AM

Wonderful work on your first kilt - congratulations!

**meinfs** · 27th June 08, 08:00 AM

Thank you! It's not perfect but I'm very proud of it

**parker_db** · 27th June 08, 08:19 AM

Man that looks great! The apron looks right on!

**meinfs** · 27th June 08, 08:31 AM

Thanks parker_db. The apron-shaping is not easy to do. I'm glad it's a solid color and I can "cheat" a little bit. On the other hand, I've been thinking that working on a tartan or plaid pattern may make things easier as the lines are already there to guide you. Thanks.