Simplicity 5029

[LPF]

Question for the rabble,

I am thinking of purchasing the simplicity pattern #5029 & have read in other threads that the kilt pattern is not much good, could anyone be more specific, i.e is the pattern too simple, missing info, not enough sizes available in the pattern.. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks LPF

[sydnie7]

I recently purchased this pattern for eventual use of the jacket portion. The kilt construction is not traditional -- I've taken some camera pix of the instructions and will add them in a bit (waiting for Sprint to email them from phone to PC. . .). For one thing, the Simplicity kilt is constructed more like a regular tailored garment, with different pattern pieces laid out, cut, and sewn together. It's also laid out with hemline perpendicular to the selvedge, so you are forced to hem it.

Much better to purchase Barb T's book -- I'm sure somebody will chime in with the link to her website, or maybe it's already stickied in her part of the forum?

Here are the photos as promised:

[brewerpaul]

Get Barb's book on kilt making and use the pattern for the jacket. The jacket is quite decent.

[ASinclair]

Here is the link --

http://www.celticdragonpress.com/

If you are going to make a kilt, get this book!

[TheOfficialBren]

I've been looking for this pattern specifically to try the jacket pettern. For the kilt, I'd get Barb's book.

[LPF]

Thanks all,

I was intending to but Barb's book after the holidays any ways & now that I see how the pattern is layed out (thanks sydnie7) I can see that barb's book is the way to go for the kilt & get the pattern for the jacket.

Thanks all

[KiltFitz]

I just bought Barb's book! It looks great and I can't wait to try on the first home made, hand sewn kilt that will come from it.......




I bought it for my girlfriend's christmas present. I sure am looking forward to watching her sew me lots of new kilts.

[chasem]

I know it's been said, but it bears repeating. Use Barb's book for the kilt. Yeah, it's a lot of work, but it's very much worth it.

Also be sure to get M.A.C. Newsome's Box Pleat addendum, whether or not you intend to use that part any time soon.

[Elf]

The OP asked for specific reasons. For me it is handwork vs machine. You will notice Barb's book lays out the traditional methods and that means a lot of handwork. Simplicity is geared for those with machines and therefore alters things for those accustomed to modern machine techniques. With the kilt this means a lot of compromises. IMHO a lot more than are worth it. I used Barb's instructions. The jacket should be more successful, but I eventually decided to go with more traditional sources there as well.

Best wishes for your project no matter how you decide to proceed.

[Barb T]

In a nutshell, the main issue issue is that a true traditional kilt isn't made with a pattern the way a garment in a pattern catalog is made. You start with a long rectangle of tartan, and you shape the kilt by stitching pleats and then finish the raw edges (top and sides). I realize that simplifies the process a bit, but the bottom line is that you really don't ever cut pieces out and stitch them together the way you would for a regular modern garment.

So, if you truly have a pattern for a kilt (with pattern pieces and all), it might make a garment that superficially looks like a kilt, but it won't be made and structured like a traditional kilt. Either is fine - you just have to know what you're getting.