what am I seeing here?

[Draelore]

WOW!!

Threads like this one keep me coming back for more!


Andy

[Tahshar]

It's amazing, much of the time the best I can do here is read and learn, then read again in appreciation. One of the small joys that make for a happy life.

Thank you all.

[DWFII]

As I mentioned, I received a replacement kilt for the rental. the replacement was far less noticeable. I didn't look which way the twill was running (and frankly I wouldn't care) but a a person wearing the kilt, I would prefer the less noticeable selvage.

[jmercier]

My newest kilt, an IoS tartan kilt, 13oz tartan from Marton Mills has a tucked selvage but it's tastefully done right at a transition line in the tartan so it's hardly noticeable

[DWFII]

Just before I returned the rental kilt (s) I looked again and sure enough the kilt that looked so awful and "torn" up had the twill running from the left hip to the right knee.

[kiltiejimbob]

Wow!

The more I know the more I think I find fault with my new tank.

Mine is indeed made on a rapier loom. The line is hidden in the tartan but is still very visible to me. I would say that the kilt maker did not consider that one side of the cloth was more or less smooth along the edge than the other. When I look closely it seems to me that the under side is the smoother. Wow. Now I don't know what to think about this kilt and the man who made it. Beginning to feel just a tad taken advantage of.
Would one necessarily expect all stitching on a "handmade" kilt to be hand sewn? All edges and the small hemmed area? Or are we really talking about the pleats and hidden body of the kilt?

The more you know....!

KJB

[ChattanCat]

Wow!

The more I know the more I think I find fault with my new tank.

Mine is indeed made on a rapier loom. The line is hidden in the tartan but is still very visible to me. I would say that the kilt maker did not consider that one side of the cloth was more or less smooth along the edge than the other. When I look closely it seems to me that the under side is the smoother. Wow. Now I don't know what to think about this kilt and the man who made it. Beginning to feel just a tad taken advantage of.
Would one necessarily expect all stitching on a "handmade" kilt to be hand sewn? All edges and the small hemmed area? Or are we really talking about the pleats and hidden body of the kilt?

The more you know....!

KJB

I have been making a few kilts. For the most part the selvage is not noticable to anyone other than the wearer and only from close inspection. I have had to deliberatly use the inside on the outside because there was a flaw in the material that would have ended up on the apron. I have also seen a selvege that seemed to wonder down the lenght, first you think this is the right side, then you think the other side. Which do you choose?

Traditional, hand made kilts, are just that, hand made. The only seam that can be made by a machine is on the waist band because it is hidden when you roll the waistband over it.

I make all my kilt completely without the aid of a machine, although the thread I use is made on a machine, and so is the tartan... Now if I were to weave the tartan by hand... no, the thread is machine made... Now if I were to raise the sheep, shear them, cart the wool, spin the wool, weave the tartan, hand sew the kilt, THEN you have a hand made kilt. Of course, it will be off white... dang, forgot the collecting of the plants to make the dye, dyeing of the wool, etc...

Cheers,

[Hamish]

Please allow me to add my thanks to Steve, Matt and Barb for explaining these 'mysteries' of the weaving process with such clarity. I believe I was pretty much aware of most of what has been written here, but I am indeed thankful to all three for passing on their knowledge - and for confirming a number of points to me. Thanks to all of you.

Take care,
Ham.

[Kilted in Maine]

I make all my kilt completely without the aid of a machine, although the thread I use is made on a machine, and so is the tartan... Now if I were to weave the tartan by hand... no, the thread is machine made... Now if I were to raise the sheep, shear them, cart the wool, spin the wool, weave the tartan, hand sew the kilt, THEN you have a hand made kilt. Of course, it will be off white... dang, forgot the collecting of the plants to make the dye, dyeing of the wool, etc...Cheers,

Now the spinning wheel, although not powered is still a machine...must work around that...hmmm

[Atlanta Kiltie]

I found that fascinating thanks for sharing the information.