Lardbelly, or "the tale of the tail" and Barb's fine book

[The Wizard of BC]

Oh, thanks for weighing in here Barb. I knew, because of your schedule, that could take a while.
I hope I didn't step on your toes.

Creative Accents, are you going to be able to make it up to Kilt Kamp? Having a chance to speak to Barb in person is well worth the trip. Bring your project and show it to her. I'm sure she can answer all your questions.

Heck, I'll bet she will even measure you in person.

But then you will have to stick yourself with a needle and take the secret blood oath.

[way2fractious]

...stick yourself with a needle and take the secret blood oath.

C'mon, Steve! Sticking oneself with a needle - repeatedly - during traditional kilt handstitching gives innumerable opportunities to utter those not-so-secret oaths.

w2f

[The Wizard of BC]

Ah yes, but this is why there is a rather thick door between my sewing room and the one where the ladies are. Their poor ears would shrivel up and fall off if they were subjected to my oaths on a regular basis.

[creativeaccents]

SO much valuable information here! Thanks to you all for the sharing of your time and thoughts. I have read and re-read each post and made careful notes on the suggestions.

Still a bit confused re the waist.
Previously, I had assumed that the natural waist should be at the level of the belly button. Trying the exercise in the book would work for most, but when I seek the level between the bottom of the ribs and the hips where things are supposed to taper when bending sideways, it just doesn't work like that; a dunlop only tends to kind of sqoosh outwards. So, is it then best to assume where that magical point used to be when there actually was a more "natural waist", OR is it better to mark an X at the level of the navel or a similar point. Fortunately, the navel line is still below the ribs and above the hips!
I have read and re-read, used highlighter on the points to be read yet again and am TRULY ever more respectful of everyone's talents and the myriad considerations that would go into a properly tailored kilt.
Too, I have been reviewing the genealogy on my 'Legacy Family Tree Deluxe" and come up with ayers, Cameron, Day, Fairbanks, Goodenow, Green, Howe, Huggins, Kennedy, McGregor, McCullough, McCutcheon, Montgomery, Moulton, Murrel, Stanhope, Walker, and many others, but now need to begin looking at them all to determine what does have a tartan, what I like, and what, if any look too complex for my second kilt. For myself, I tend not to wear much bright red...not a judgement, but just not me. I also prefer the more muted, natural colors, as opposed to those that are too complex or screamingly bold.
Now to move on to step two, the fabric.

[Barb T]

Judging from the pic in your avatar, you already have a kilt? The easiest thing to do is put that kilt on at the right height. Look straight ahead and have someone check the bottom of the kilt to determine if it's the right length. If it's too long or too short, have the person measure by how much. Be sure that you are looking straight ahead, though, not down.

Then, measure from the center of the top buckle at the apron edge to the bottom of the kilt (_not_ from the the top edge of the kilt!). Add or subtract how much the kilt was too short or too long. That's the length measurement you need for working with the instructions in my book. You then add a 2" rise to that length to get the overall length of the kilt.

[creativeaccents]

THANK YOU for the sanity check!
Just wanted to be absolutely sure before putting scissors to fabric. I do have several kilts, but none that were "hand tailored" specifically for me. With so much past reference to the line of the navel by others, I have also heard some state that the top edge should be well above the navel. Your reference to the center of the belt buckle adds a lot of clarity to the issue. One thing is sure, this little exercise has so disgusted me when looking in the mirror, that I will certainly be getting outside for more exercise. Far too much time has been spent sitting here working on my next book!

[Barb T]

Your reference to the center of the belt buckle adds a lot of clarity to the issue.

Careful!!! It's not the center of the BELT buckle but the center of the top buckle on the apron edge of the KILT!