My first X-Kilt attempt

[swagmore]

I just wanted to say thanks to Alan for the X-Kilt instructions and post a few pics of my first attempt to make one. I love to DIY so my desire to do so brought me to X Marks and after much searching and thinking decided on features/designs I wanted to incorporate into it. I posted a few different pics in the Newbie section (because I am one) but I think it better to post some pics here as well since this thread is what that is really for. I went with the Rev. K in black Duck canvas for the main body with Hunter Green and Light Grey in an inverted Chevron on the front apron and pocket flaps. The front apron is reversible and I will soon be making a slight modification to make the pocket flaps be reversible as well. That way I can get more than one look from the same kilt. Plus, I can make new aprons and pocket flaps going forward if I want different colors/designs just to mix it up a bit. I also incorporated a separate hidden cell phone pocket inside one of the larger ones to help keep it from getting beat up by other things I may carry in the pocket. I love the feel of it on as it is very weighty and solid and the deep pleats definitely deliver on the "swoosh" factor as mentioned in the instructions. I have wanted to do this for a long time and I am happy that it finally happened....now some of my boys want them too. Thanks X Marks for helping to make this a reality. My little neck of the woods will be seeing more of this out and about as the weather warms up a bit. I have lived near Asheville, NC for over 25 years and have only ever seen one other person wearing a kilt in public. I hope to bump that up a bit very soon.


1123131355.jpg1123131356.jpg1123131357.jpg
1123131401.jpg1123131354.jpg

Steve

[Elizabeth]

Very creative! Love the idea of interchangeable pieces to give different looks!

[usonian]

Nice work, really sharp fit and finish! I like the parachute clasps, I'm planning on going that route on my next attempt.

[swagmore]

Thanks! I wanted to maximize the functionality but give it as much of a sporty look as possible while trying to keep the Steam Punk appearance to a minimum. Not sure if I succeeded or not... I had a blast making it though and anticipate more to come. Starting with my boys.

Steve

[ratspike]

Sweet barking cheese! Nice to see that you tackled a simple design for your first kilt. Anything worth doing is worth REALLY doing, right?

Really well done Steve. I think your interpretation of this design is simple and clean looking. I'm not usually a fan of big blocks of color but I like the way you've incorporated it here. How is it to wear with the big straps and buckles? Does it feel a bit like you're strapped into the kilt or do you not really notice it?

[swagmore]

Thanks Bob! I love how it feels but honestly it is my first experience with not just making a kilt but... wearing one as well so I don't have anything to compare it to. However, to answer your question I don't even notice the straps and buckles and I like how snug it feels. After reading the X-Kilt instructions I felt like I understood it well enough to go ahead and tackle it. I actually grew up just South of you in Corvallis, OR.

Steve

[Hawk]

Thanks Bob! I love how it feels but honestly it is my first experience with not just making a kilt but... wearing one as well so I don't have anything to compare it to. However, to answer your question I don't even notice the straps and buckles and I like how snug it feels. After reading the X-Kilt instructions I felt like I understood it well enough to go ahead and tackle it. I actually grew up just South of you in Corvallis, OR.

Steve

Looks snug and we'll fit, but I defer to Bobs experience and know how.
If you grew up in OR, what are you doing on the east coast Steve?

Hawk

[Pleater]

The horizontal folds under the middle belt are usually indicative of a 'fitting fault' - usually it shows that the garment is a little too narrow at that height so it moves upwards to lie more easily. It can also indicate that there is too much length between two fixed points, but I think that the solution Steve suggests, of loosening the lower part of the kilt will solve the problem wherever it is being generated.

It will ease the tension at hip level, and give a smoother more / \ shape to the whole kilt, rather than having the pleats opening out below the fell. You could always have the lower fastenings but with a greater circumference in the garment so they are not under tension.

As I have often said to customers for the garments I make - just because you can wear something that size, it doesn't mean that you should.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[swagmore]

Thanks for all the input. I loosened the buckles and moved the bottom buckles and fell line up about 2" and as a result it did make a difference. It hangs better with less puckering on the front apron and the pleats do lay more flat. I also do not appear to have the pucker the on the back side that Steve pointed out. I will post some more pics soon. I may also re-make the front apron to be a little wider and with a taper just to see how that might work out. Thanks again.

Steve

[ratspike]

Having the apron as a separate piece is definitely interesting. One thing that's a issue with narrow front aprons is having the edges kick out, so I'm curious what kind of issue you'll have with that, if any at all, since your apron is separate.