Altering a Stillwater

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I did the bits of the hem before washing.

Here's the deep pleat, basted and now doing the hem stitch (herringbone-see The Art of Kiltmaking):



And the edge of the underapron. And yes, I cheated. I didn't take out the self facing, turn up the hem and then resew the facing. I was just too lazy.




Then we washed it and hung it as shown before, and I was getting ready to take it down, when I had a thought (and yes, it hurt a little). What better position to baste it in than hanging up?


As I worked my way up the pleats, I realized that there was one draw back. All right everyone, now hold your arms up above shoulder height...and hold them there....and hold them there....and hold them there...



My arms and shoulders really hurt the next day (yes, I'm not in very good shape!)

It was a hot evening, so my dear husband provided the refreshments:



And soon it was done!





But now, we must press the kilt...

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Maybe my arms hurt from the pressing as much as the sewing. Use an old pillow case and plenty of steam (spray the cloth, don't just use the steam setting on the iron). In this case, the kilt was still quite damp, which helped with steam production.



The washing had not removed all the dye that wanted to come out of this kilt-note that the press cloth has been dyed!



Laid out to dry:



And the finished product:



Here's the main trouble spot, and look how nice it looks now!



So, now, this beloved kilt has gained new life.

Next time it needs a washing, I will steek it to keep the pleats from sagging before I baste and repress the pleats, because they aren't perfect (a slight wave compared to when the kilt was first purchased), but it'll do.

Be well,

[Mipi]

As I worked my way up the pleats, I realized that there was one draw back. All right everyone, now hold your arms up above shoulder height...and hold them there....and hold them there....and hold them there...

Believe me, this is good cardiovascular workout.


Well done!

[Highlander31]

Nice work Star.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Thanks again everyone.

Well done M'lady - and nice fingernail polish too!

I'm glad you noticed my nails!

It does look a lot better, or is it the guy wearing that looks better? By the way, nice fingernail polish too.

He looks better every day.

Yay, you noticed my nails too!

My acrylics really need repressed. I think the main issue for me is I am daunted by the basting, I am not really that scared of the ironing, just the sewing.

Don't worry about the sewing-it's tedious, but nothing to be scared about. Nothing like cutting the cloth, which is irreversible. You can always pick out stitches if they don't look right, but you can't put things back together that have been cut!

Be well,

[sathor]

Thanks again everyone.
...
I'm glad you noticed my nails!
...
Yay, you noticed my nails too!

The worst part was in the triple quote you did the first two quote were about nails, and my used the word acrylic. I don't wear acrylic nails, nor would I press them, but not to worry since you knew what I meant, but it sure looked funny!

[Bugbear]

Thanks again everyone.



I'm glad you noticed my nails!



He looks better every day.

Yay, you noticed my nails too!



Don't worry about the sewing-it's tedious, but nothing to be scared about. Nothing like cutting the cloth, which is irreversible. You can always pick out stitches if they don't look right, but you can't put things back together that have been cut!

Be well,

Yes, once you cut off the fabric, you can't cut it back on...