Alt.Kilt

[techdragon]

Techdragon,

So glad you came over to check out xmarks....I was the one that emailed you about these postings. You were asking about a reverse pleat. I found a website with this nice diagram to give you the idea of how the reverse pleat helps to keep the pleats from "kicking" out or flaring out. The part marked "double sett" is the location of the reverse pleat.

BTW, here's the website that the picture came from: http://users.telenet.be/jbruyndonckx/kilt_making2.html

Cool. Thanks for the image - it makes much more sense when you illustrate it. I am working on a mock-up with that style of pleating and will post a photo when it is done.

[Archangel]

I've got to say that that was an unusually harsh response from Hamish. Don't think we've seen anything like that in the past.
My hope is that perhaps he missed the post where the maker is asking for advice and sounds like she is listening to the responses. That is a strong commendation of her potential.

[Erisianmonkey]

I would suggest deeper pleats as a first step. A second would be to sew down the fell. It would stop the pleats from simply looking like gathers at the waist like the center back pleat on your blue denim looks. Mind you, I'm no expert, I've only made five kilts and a kilted miniskirt. I don't have Barb's book myself, although I would recommend it, as I learned what I did the hard way, by way of a few web sites and sitting down at my own sewing machine.

I'll also add my voice to those asking you to not take Hamish to heart, while he is a much respected member here, we need all the kiltmakers we can get in the world, especially those willing to learn.

[MysticMead]

grain of salt... grain of salt...everything on the internet needs to be taken with a grain of salt... please don't let harsh comments turn you away from kilt making.. the more kilt makers there are the wider the selection we'll have..

[Hamish]

Oh dear! I am afraid that I have unwittingly put my foot in it. Without hesitation therefore, I offer TechDragon my unconditional apologies for the unwarranted harshness of my earlier post.

I confess that I did not see TechDragon's post, nor most of the other posts in this thread. In my haste, having seen Mr. MacDougall's opening post in which he asked if anyone had bought anything from Alt.Kilt, I used the link he provided and went straight to the Alt.Kilt website. I am sorry but my initial reaction was that here was someone who was virtually copying, but with minor adjustments, the fine products of two already well-established and successful kilt-making companies. I was also unimpressed to see such creased garments being used in the promotional photographs.

Quickly scanning back over the last few postings (I usually go to the end of a thread to make my contribution), Archangel's words, "Wait for Hamish" caught my eye, but I did not read more than a few lines of his post. It was that phrase that led me immediately to express the opinion I had formed moments before.

I am extremely sorry that I jumped in with both feet without reading the entire thread and therefore being unaware of TechDragon's appeal for helpful criticism and advice. I assure you that it is not in my nature to be so blatantly rude and I have never before been accused of being undiplomatic.

If I have learned a lesson from this, and I hope I have, it is not to contribute to a thread without first reading EVERY post within it. If I do not have time to do that, then I should refrain from posting.

Finally, now that I am aware that TechDragon is just starting on the kilt-making road and that she is keen to learn from those of us who wear them, I should like to offer her my moral support and to advise her to listen to what so many here have already suggested. I may have a lot of kilts; I may have been wearing them for well over 50 years; I may have an eye for colour, balance and co-ordination, but I am not a technician and I do not understand the complexities of kilt-making. I earnestly trust that I may be forgiven for any discouragement, or hurt, I have caused.

[techdragon]

Oh dear! I am afraid that I have unwittingly put my foot in it. Without hesitation therefore, I offer TechDragon my unconditional apologies for the unwarranted harshness of my earlier post.

Finally, now that I am aware that TechDragon is just starting on the kilt-making road and that she is keen to learn from those of us who wear them, I should like to offer her my moral support and to advise her to listen to what so many here have already suggested. I may have a lot of kilts; I may have been wearing them for well over 50 years; I may have an eye for colour, balance and co-ordination, but I am not a technician and I do not understand the complexities of kilt-making. I earnestly trust that I may be forgiven for any discouragement, or hurt, I have caused.

I appreciate this and accept your apology, though a bit humbled I am... and thank you for taking the time to respond. I am learning and I must admit that the photos referenced (the denim and canvas kilts especially) are early styles and are bad photos that were rushed to have something live. Probably a bad decision all around but until I can replace them with better - it is better than none.

I do solid work and I know I can do better... I am jumping head first into the fray so I appreciate your help.

[Kid Cossack]

I appreciate this and accept your apology, though a bit humbled I am... and thank you for taking the time to respond. I am learning and I must admit that the photos referenced (the denim and canvas kilts especially) are early styles and are bad photos that were rushed to have something live. Probably a bad decision all around but until I can replace them with better - it is better than none.

I do solid work and I know I can do better... I am jumping head first into the fray so I appreciate your help.

Techdragon:

Don't worry about the "early styles" being up on your website now. Just keep on revising, and keep getting new pics up. I tend to want to get things "just right" before I do them, which in many cases means I end up not doing them at all. You'll have plenty of folks here who can comment/critique your work!

[MacTavishOfJapan]

A sincere apology Ham and I'm sure I'm not the only one that's relieved that post was a mistake - everyone makes them.

The kilts look good but perhaps a little samey to my eyes - I haven't looked at these contemporary kilts in great detail though - maybe you should try to improvise and make the design a little more unique.

Welcome TechDragon (cool name BTW!), it's good to see another kiltmaker about.

[ccga3359]

The kilts look good but perhaps a little samey to my eyes - I haven't looked at these contemporary kilts in great detail though - maybe you should try to improvise and make the design a little more unique.

I tend to agree that with the snaps and narrow apron I'm seeing utilikilt.

[The Wizard of BC]

Maam,

As you can see you will get more advice in just a few days than you ever expected.

Some will like what you have created and some will not.

All I ask is do not copy someone else. Do your homework. Create and produce a product that is totally yours.

If someone asks why you do something a certain way answer honestly. Explain your reasons for why you chose one style or feature over another.

Then be patient. Some will buy what you have created and some will not.

Hopefully you will be with us a long time and you will prosper.

And maybe you can teach some of us something new.

Good luck.