What is the X-Kilt for?

[Alan H]

Just a review and reality check, here.... why did I write the X-Kilt manual?

1. so that people who know *nothing* about sewing could LEARN what goes into making a kilt, so that when they bought one, they understood why it cost as much as it does. Do you freak out at the price of a Freedom kilt? Well, go make an X-Kilt and then you'll understand why it costs what it does.

2. so that people who know *nothing* about sewing could make themselves a contemporary kilt for a low price. Are you broke? Do you want a contemporary kilt to wear in casual situations, but you simply can't afford a super-nice kilt? OK, then...make an X-Kilt and go wear it.

It is NOT intended to be the be-all, end-all tailored contemporary kilt
It is NOT intended to be the model of construction for a traditional kilt

It's a bang-it-together, low-tech, low-effort, knockaround kilt that's an educational tool, and a way for someone with little money to get into wearing kilts.

So quit stressing over whether it's topstitched or not, or whether the tartan (tartan??????) you've chosen is the exact right weight, or whether that quarter-inch difference in the under-apron pleat is going to show..... just get the freakin' cheap cloth, get out the chalk, fire up the bluidy machine and MAKE THE THING and LEARN. If the first one is horrible, the second one will be better. The instructions are not perfect. They're pretty good....they must be since 100+ X-Kilts have been made, but I fully admit that they're not perfect. But you know what? You're a smart dude/dudette. I bet you can figure a way around the little imperfections in the manual and still turn out a decent garment.

After you've made two X-Kilts you'll know if you want to go on and make more kilts, and whether you want to expand your skills to include more hand-techniques, and traditional stuff. You will have LEARNED. You'll almost certainly will also have a garment you can wear for hiking, working on the car and general mayhem. But for heavens sake save the nice cloth for kilts #3 and beyond. That's not what the X-Kilt is about. If you spend more than $30 for cloth for your X-Kilt #1 and #2 (assuming you make two) you're spending too much money.

If you get to kilt #3 and you decide you're in love with the X-Kilt and that is what you want for your super-nice kilt, then by all means go for it. But that's NOT the purpose for which the X-Kilt manual was written up.

PS: It's a freakin' instruction manual, not a Tome. For heavens sake, don't read the thing 20 times before you start. Skim it once, read the introduction again, then get out the cloth and chalk and START. Learn by doing, that's the whole point.

I am reminded of George Buehlers "Backyard Boatbuilding" book which contains in it a memorable quote. "It's a boat, not a SHRINE".