Alright, so I probably don't have the guts...

**D.A. Guertin** · 17th September 09, 12:14 PM

OK, so no tapering for the aprons, and only across the pleats. Got it. Take the pleats in from the height of the rump to the waist, got it. Next puzzlement is with the taper in the apron.

My thought was to start by pinning all the pleats across the backside, making sure I have enough material for the aprons and under-pleats, and then..... That's about as far as I've gotten...

**sydnie7** · 17th September 09, 12:39 PM

Yes, the apron does taper slightly as explained in Barb's book (you do have the book, I think, as well as the box-pleat addendum?). But it's more of a universal taper, where similar measurements would be applied to a range of kilt sizes, vs the exact individual taper you have calculated for your pleats. And the apron also flares slightly from fell to hem vs the straight line of pleats from fell to hem.

At a certain point, you need to just dive in and start doing it. Lots of things become more clear once you are actually making the folds and stitches vs staring at book and pile of fabric!

**ChattanCat** · 17th September 09, 07:39 PM

Hi,
Sorry I didn't see this thread before. A properly fitted kilt will have taper in the pleats and in the aprons. Your measurements, 28" waist and 31" hips, will not be a problem for a nice looking kilt. The hips and waist need to be split between the aprons and pleats. I would suggest the following splits for you waist and hips:
Apron Waist: 15"
Pleated Waist: 13"
Apron Hips: 15 1/4"
Pleated Hips: 15 3/4"

Good luck,

**Pleater** · 19th September 09, 03:37 PM

You are working on the inside of the fabric there - I think - being slightly dyslexic I can get confused very easily.

The apron is wider at the hip than the waist, but if it falls straight from the hip it will appear to narrow at the lower edge. There are several threads here, some with photos of how to shape the edges for best effect.

You need maximum colour contrast in the middle - though in other light it might look different of course, it does look as though the stripes you have at the edges of the panels should be in the middle.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**D.A. Guertin** · 21st September 09, 10:00 AM

Well, found the gumption and grit to tackle into it... Saturday found me with the torn fabric, and the box-pleated kilt supplement in hand. I took the 'pin it and dry fit it' route, and only yesterday placed the first basting stitches to start holding everything a bit more securely before I start into pulling the waist in and getting to the serious bit of sewing, basting, steeking, lining.....

Everything has been easy peasy so far, and fell right into place, which means I've probably missed something extraordinarily important that I'll figure out as soon as I've finished the entire kilt and buckled it on the first time...

The sett width worked out perfectly for box pleating, and with my waist and hip measurements (which were well off from what I wrote above). Everything about this fabric is just 'right' for the project. So, I either got extremely lucky, or I've missed something extraordinarily important that I'll figure out as soon as I've finished the entire kilt and buckled it on the first time... ;-)

Any opinions based on the lousy photos?

Thanks much all.

Best,

Darryl

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...ertin/Sett.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...KiltLayout.jpg

**sydnie7** · 21st September 09, 10:39 AM

Looks fab so far! Tiny stitches, keep the fabric taut, and you'll do fine. Really looking forward to seeing this one progress!

**Stilletto_Rebel** · 29th October 09, 04:55 AM

Hi Darryl,

How's the progress of your kilt coming along? I'm very interested to see the finished article!

Once I have resettled I'm planning on embarking on my own D.I.Y...

**NewGuise** · 29th October 09, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Stilletto_Rebel

I'm very interested to see the finished article!

You're not alone. It's lovely material, and ... we want pictures!

**WClarkB** · 29th October 09, 05:39 AM

DEFINITELY
GO FOR IT

Since March of this year I have made two kilts with the help of Bev T's book. The first was a heavy cotton twill and that came out well enough to wear and collect some compliments as well.
Bev's book has very few fuzzy bits; most is crystal clear.
I felt confident enough to make an 8yrd, Jura recently

Instructions for a box pleated kilt should be available and I would read those carefully and get any help if you do not understand the jargon (not having ever gone thru Home Econ, myself).

**D.A. Guertin** · 30th October 09, 08:26 AM

Haven't done much of anything more with it since. :-( Been getting side-tracked by far too many marvelous fabrics, each being planned for one style or another! I now have some fairly atrocious 26 oz for a 4 yard box, 5 yards of a nice muted olive and black tweed in 18 oz for a Kingussie, 8 yards of gorgeous Jacquard for a full-on 8 yard knife with a fly plaid, 6 yards of 16 oz in grey and black for I don't know what yet, and enough 11 oz in black grey and red to make two kilted skirts for my daughter, one knife and one box.

I'm Darryl, and I'm a kilt addict...