How do I Make Flashes from Kilt Material?

[Panache]

Dale,

My wife has made me a number of neat flashes, and I have made myself one pair (so it can be done by those who are less than skilled with needle and thread).

Tartan flashes require more steps to make than simple grossgrain ribbon ones. I don't know how to make them and they require more skill than I possess at sewing. If you have limited material and aren't quite sure of your skills I recommend making ribbon flashes now (which will look very nice) and save the tartan ones for your wife to construct. You will need to go to the Fabric Shop anyway, so get some ribbon that matches a stripe in the kilt. Perhaps one of the smaller stripes to bring out the color in your outfit.

For Grossgrain Ribbon Flashes:

Materials

Elastic Band (approximately 16 inches, 8" per flash- depending on your calves)
Narrow Velcro OR two small vest buckles
Grossgrain ribbon 1"wide (About 40", 10" per each ribbon)
Bottle of Fray Check (A light glue that helps prevent fraying-ESSENTIAL!)

Tools

Iron
Needle and thread


(1) Cut the ribbon into 4 lengths of 10"

(2) Fold each each length in half

(3) Iron the fold at the top of each ribbon to make the crease flat

(4) Take the top piece of each ribbon and fold that edge up in half (better if you fold in under the top side so the edge is under the fold)

(5) Iron the fold at the top of the ribbon to make the crease flat

At this point you will look down at each ribbon and see a 5 inch long piece of ribbon with a double folded 2 1/2" piece of ribbon on the top of each.

(6) Using scissors cut a small triangle (pointing up) out of the bottom edge of the bottom 5" long piece of ribbon for each.

(7) Apply a small amount of the Fray Check to the cut edges of the triangle and let dry

(8) Measure and cut the elastic to your leg (have your kilt hose on!)

(9) Sew either the vest buckle of the velcro to the end /ends of the elastic

(10) Line up the top of the ribbon to the top of the elastic (at the center). Sew the top of first ribbon to the elastic. The elastic side is next to your leg with the ribbon outside. Then sew the second one next to the first. Repeat on the second flash. (Neatness isn't important here as no one will see this part of the flash.

That's All!

A recommendation: Cut out a 10 inch long, 1 inch wide strip of paper and lay it out, fold and make the triangle cut first so you have a model of what you want the ribbon to look like. Remember "measure twice, cut once".

I hope this was of some help.

Merry Christmas