So I want to learn to make my own kilt

[calanacrafts]

A real beginner, not at sewing, where is the best place to start, I reckon if I make a wee child's kilt for my wee balach (boy) then I won't make a hash of things, Is there a pattern out there to follow?

[Downix]

http://http://www.celticdragonpress.com/ a good reference is this book

http://http://web.archive.org/web/20041205073825/users.telenet.be/jbruyndonckx/kilt_making1.html Another good reference, but I still recommend the book.

Or, if you'd checked the top link in this forum, the X-Kilt instructions.

Incidentally, I did the same thing, started with a childs Kilt. I'm on #3 now, about to make my first adult kilt.

[ChattanCat]

Barb T. has put together an excellent book on how to make a kilt. The kilt is really an engineered garment and each kilt maker has to make decisions on fit and pattern. I strongly recommend The Art of Kiltmaking. It assumes you have knowledge of sewing and concentrates on "The Kilt".

Good luck and we are all here to help you succeed in making a kilt.

[Barb T]

And this forum is a great place to ask questions as well.

And Matt Newsome and I have written a supplement to The Art of Kiltmaking on how to make 4 yard box pleated kilts. Here's the link with the info:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/m...x.html?t=43498

[calanacrafts]

Great reading, I am thinking perhaps I should go and see someone actually making one up. I have been emailing the lady in Ben Wyvis Kilts in the City of Inverness (Highlands scotland) and as I am going to the mainland in April/May I think I will phone to see if I can actually visit her, my local kilt maker really put me off, as if she did not want any competition so to speak, but I would be making for pleasure, my 3 brothers all wear the kilt for family functions so it would be cool to have them kilted up in mine, I would also like my wee boy and nephews to wear tho one nephew will not wear a"girls" skurt as he says.....

[Pleater]

As a long time maker of things I have come across quite a few people who seem to think that no one else should attempt to make anything, as it is somehow stealing from them - yet their eyes light up and they almost fall over rushing to get a good look at things I have made when they realise they might be able to copy and sell the idea.

This is a world away from the good folks inhabiting X marks, who seem generous to a fault.

For a child you might find that you need to use braces to keep the kilt in place, as wee ones just don't have a waist and hips to keep things in place. another alternative is a waistcoat with buttons, and buttonholes in tabs sewn to the kilt.

A child's kilt could be made almost straight, if you intend to sew down the fell only a small amount of shaping at the back to bring the waistband into the small of the back would be required. Not that I have made a child's kilt, but I dressed my own two when they were small, so I know the problems of fitting things for them.

You might find that making an outfit rather than just a kilt will persuade your reluctant nephew that it isn't a skirt.

Anne the Pleater

[Barb T]

You might find that making an outfit rather than just a kilt will persuade your reluctant nephew that it isn't a skirt.

Particularly if you get him one of those wee sporrans and a spiffy little belt!