xman's Highland Kilt Mk1.3: Complete

**xman** · 18th October 10, 10:12 AM

Here it is, my first endeavour. I think it looks pretty good upon casual inspection, but a closer inspection with detailed eye will reveal so many errors and problems with this kilt that although it is a working model, I have to think of it as a failure. It'll do for now and there is plenty of material for alterations in the future, but I'm not looking forward to wading through the mass of treads sewn through each other to achieve those changes. My greatest error with this was taking the measurements too tight. It caused a lot of problems for me as it came together. My second error was deviating so far from the instructions. The 1" rise means that the top of the buttonhole runs through the top band.

The kilt is actually held on by Velcroe which I have glued to the back of the straps for a more traditional appeal, but again, this was problematic to construct. It functions nicely though. Little Man can easily remove the kilt himself for those emergency potty moments.

Although working with the 13oz fabric was a good place to start, if I ever make another kilt for a wee person I will want to use light weight wool and I would forgo the buttonhole entirely.

Thanks to Barb and Elsie for their excellent manual and to everyone who helped out with advice when I got stuck.
Without further adoe ....

This was the best I could do to capture the pleats in motion.

X

**hootstwo** · 18th October 10, 11:04 AM

I think it looks fantastic, and clearly you satisfied your client!!!!!!!!

**CMcG** · 18th October 10, 11:51 AM

OMG, he's a natural... that Hamish pose is perfectly done!

Nice work on the kilt too

**Tartan Tess** · 18th October 10, 03:24 PM

Xman! you are your own worst enemy. Relax, it look GREAT and everyone else will think so to.
The errors YOU see are your homework for the next kilt....to improve with each one.
Elsie (my own personal guru) told me that it will take 6 kilts....before pleat stitching gets better and the rest will follow.
It look WONDERFUL!!!

**BLHS209** · 18th October 10, 03:46 PM

Looks great to me! Especially "doing the Hamish", with the grin!! But, I do understand "your errors", when you know they are there, you always see them.

As Tartan Tess said - "Relax, it look GREAT and everyone else will think so to."

Chris Shepherd

**artificer** · 18th October 10, 05:09 PM

Happy customer (and cute to boot). I think the kilt looks great.

It's the curse of the maker. YOU see every tiny flaw, magnified ten times. I bet the 'flaws' are imperceptible most, if not all.

**BobsYourUncle** · 18th October 10, 05:14 PM

Clearly not a failure. The kilt looks great. I love the pleats in motion shot. Yup, one happy, happy customer!

**MacMillans son** · 18th October 10, 05:27 PM

Nice job X!! I can hardly wait for the adult size version. It takes a lot of courage and confidence to take on such a task, my hat is off to you!

Self critique is what keeps us improving in all areas of life, keep up the good work friend!

**xman** · 19th October 10, 09:43 AM

Thank-you all for the kind words. I agree that it looks pretty nice on the outside, but really, a look inside shames me. If Mk2 hadn't followed so soon upon this one's heels with such a marked improvement I might be discouraged, but now I'm just excited to keep going on Mk3.

Isle of Skye ... mmmmm