My first X-Kilt attempt

[Alan H]

This whole thread is a serious WIN.

1. you sat down and built yourself a kilt. Well, hot damn. Guid on ye, lad.
2. not only did you do that, but you made it all your own by experimenting with the details. Nice!
3. you got a mess of good advice from some experienced kiltmakers on how to make this one...and for sure, the next one better. So you are learning stuff. WIN.

Rock on.

[The Wizard of BC]

I wholeheartedly agree with Alan. A big win here. Not only is the DIY section about "Look what I did" it is also about "This is what I did and here are the lessons I learned along the way".
Anyone who takes on the idea to make a kilt will ultimately become a teacher.
So Swagmore, please do not think that I was singling you out.

I take my inspiration and guidance from the generation that came before me.
I get to pass on what I have learned to you.
You then keep it going and pass this on to the generations yet to come.

When I started into kiltmaking I knew very little about what a kilt was and how it was worn., I knew even less about how one was built. I had worn them a few times but I was not Ä Kilt Wearer".

So, like you I jumped in with both feet and did the best I could.

Then one day I got an insight into what is hidden behind the liner of a hand-stitched, 8yd, wool kilt. WOW, what an eye opener. All of a sudden, those Utilikilt knock-offs you see all over the web, began to look like gym shorts when compared to a Saville row suit.

My suggestion that you find a traditional kilt (even if all you do is go find a rental for a day) was not to appear snobbish but to let you see what all those thousands who went before you learned. I honestly think you will enjoy the lesson as much as I did.

[swagmore]

Thanks Alan and Steve! I do plan to get my hands on a more traditional kilt and may very likely invest in the book that Bob recommended. I am not opposed to hand stitching anything and would love the challenge/learning experience. That is what I will shoot for but for now I have started with my first X-Kilt based design. Even with the improvements I have already made I continue to see things with it that I want to try and improve upon. It it not too big a deal to have to tear out a few stitches here or a row of stitches there if it helps make the next one better. Because of all this dialogue I can see how the fabric is miss-behaving in places as a result of my inexperience and what I might be able to do to correct it. It is a win all around but mainly because I also get to interact with and learn from those more "expert" in the art of kilt making like yourselves.

Steve

[swagmore]

OK, here is a long overdue update. Merry Christmas by the way...I made some modifications/improvements based on your feedback and I just got "The Art of Kiltmaking" book for Christmas! Woohoo! Time for some extensive reading and studying. For the modifications I moved the fell line up about 2" and re-made the apron to have a taper instead of being straight. I also changed how the straps attach to the apron. Rather than each strap being sewn to the apron I attached the straps to a narrow piece of stiff vinyl and then sewed that to the apron. The thought was to disperse the stresses of the straps along a wider area. I also simply loosened the straps and cleaned up their anchoring points on the back to make it less busy. Additionally I repositioned the straps with the d-ring and clips to the side pockets as I just did not like my original locations for them over the side belt loops. I then completed the modification to make the pocket flaps reversible with 3 snaps each covered with a flap to conceal them. While I was at it I also decided to go ahead and make a simple Sporran with paracord tassels and belt. So I am basically calling this one done at this time. Now to attempt a traditional hand sewn kilt. Call me crazy but it will be a learning experience if nothing else. Part of my rational is to just dive in....I just need to decide on a fabric since I am somewhat not sure what to use as my last name is Hodges which I believe is of English decent but my mothers last name was Savage. Her family tree actually goes back to William and Mary Brewster (Pilgrims) who came here on the Mayflower. Anyway, here are a few final pics of my kilt with the modifications listed above. I believe it has turned out much better as a result of all your constructive comments.

Kilt 001.jpgKilt 008.jpgKilt 006.jpgKilt 007.jpgKilt 010.jpgKilt 009.jpgKilt 004.jpgKilt 012.jpgKilt 011.jpgKilt 015.jpg

Steve

[Joe I]

I haven't posted anything in a long time, fellow NC dweller, but you say this is your first attempt making a kilt! Bravo! It looks great! My first one I liked, but went back and modified it for a more modern look and may change some more things about it. So I'm very impressed yours. And Encore!