First X-Kilt (in ABU)

[longhuntr74]

Hi all!
I was thinking of box-pleat for a long time, but lately I am considering knife-pleat owing to the weight of the material. The poly/cotton is a bit light, so a bunch of knife pleats may add some "hang," if you will. What do you think?

Firstly let me say I have zero experience in kiltmaking...but have made many other articles of clothing for my reenactment hobby...waistcoats, sleeved waistcoats, linen shirts, knee breeches, etc. I am sure I will tackle a kilt project or two eventually....but enough about me.

What I was going to suggest as another option was the double-box pleat which apparently still uses less material than a traditional knife pleated kilt, but has more of the swish than a box pleated kilt. I was reading about this on a particular vendor's website...if you do a google search, I'm sure you can find info on it.

How wide is the fabric? How many yards does 4 sections equate to when sewn together? If 45", it'd be about six yards if my math is right. If 54"-60", it's closer to the traditional 8 yard kilt and should give you some good weight to the back by my reckoning. Just some thoughts from my novice brain.

[berserkbishop]

As an ex-soldier married to a sailor I don't understand why either. It only seems to work as camouflage if you fall overboard! Not a very desirable quality in a Navy uniform.

Just picked up a set from the tailors. . . expensive buggers these NWU's are. Gotta go with the flow though. The Navy will come to its senses again at some point. Alright, back on track. Sorry for Hijacking this thread.

MM3 Bishop

[4thAWpipeSGT]

George7, ...now I see your thread! Very nice! Wish I'd've seen this, originally, but actually I am progressing along exactly as your photos of the buildup make it out. Yes, I have had to cut it in sections to get the stripe horizontal to the wrap length.

Longhuntr74, I see what you mean about double boxes... good points. I am finished with the section joining and hems and now just pinning in different pleat types to see what it falls like. I have two of my other pro kilts out and acting as measuring guides for the A-frame taper and general comportment.

I think I've stuck my fingers about 100 times with needles in the past three days!

[sydnie7]

[snip]
I think I've stuck my fingers about 100 times with needles in the past three days!

It's not a kilt if it hasn't drawn blood LOL

Best of luck and keep us posted!

[Tartan Hiker]

Maybe this will serve as inspiration.....

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/a...032/index.html

[4thAWpipeSGT]

Very nice, Tartan Hiker! I am doing just about the same pleating and spacing. I do like the patch space, there! I'm enclosing a few pics of the latest stages. Sadly, I can only do about 30 min. per day when I'm home.

[4thAWpipeSGT]

Wups. Pics did not go through. Here is a link to a Picasa album: http://picasaweb.google.com/hllacey3/ABUKilt#

[Tartan Hiker]

Looking very good so far.

[4thAWpipeSGT]

Just wanted to post that the ABU kilt is finished (knife pleating). I wrapped it up about a week ago and finally got around to taking pics. Went out and wore it while at piping practice in the park, today. Very comfortable. I see where I want to make changes for the next one (multicam, maybe) as well as improvements.

The album is updated at http://picasaweb.google.com/hllacey3/ABUKilt#

Thanks, all!

[Alan H]

Just wanted to post that the ABU kilt is finished (knife pleating). I wrapped it up about a week ago and finally got around to taking pics. Went out and wore it while at piping practice in the park, today. Very comfortable. I see where I want to make changes for the next one (multicam, maybe) as well as improvements.

The album is updated at http://picasaweb.google.com/hllacey3/ABUKilt#

Thanks, all!

Two thumbs up....that'll work, eh?

Well done!