Advice/help needed

**Stoff** · 3rd January 17, 08:48 AM

Oh yeah, the iron lady you see in the corner of the first of the batch of photos is the sewing machine I use. She was born in December of 1911 at the Elizabeth City Singer plant.

Also this is the first machine sewn kilt I have done. All the previous kilts I have made where hand sewn.

Christoph

**Tarheel** · 3rd January 17, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Stoff

Oh yeah, the iron lady you see in the corner of the first of the batch of photos is the sewing machine I use. She was born in December of 1911 at the Elizabeth City Singer plant.

I learned on that very machine in 1964. My sister still sews with it (my brother makes the leather belts for her). Good job on the project.

**Stoff** · 5th January 17, 08:08 AM

Yay, I am making real progress. I got the pleats pined last night and, hope to stitch them down tonight or tomorrow. I am hoping to be able to finish the kilt this weekend snd be able to wear it next week.

The pleats pined:

I still have not decided on how to place the kilt pin square or on the waist band, tartan or green. Any input from y'all would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Christoph

**Taskr** · 5th January 17, 10:08 AM

Its looking great!

IMO, a green waistband. Planning my own hybrid, when I placed the tartan in waistband fashion against the black it did not appear complimentary but obtrusive. I initially liked your kilt pin square idea, but its loosing its appeal for the same reason. I can't imagine a position on the apron without it looking as if it was a haphazard addition. I am, however, considering a vertical outer apron waist to hem band/strip to accompany the tartan fringe - which may or may not survive the final construct.

Your project is a great motivator to get on with my own. Thanks for sharing the experience.

**Pleater** · 5th January 17, 08:17 PM

My grandmother had a sewing machine of similar age and it came to live with us eventually - I made many things with it once I mended the leather drive band. Alas it was put up in the loft after I left home and went rusty, but I still remember it fondly.

Anne the Pleater

**Terry Searl** · 5th January 17, 08:48 PM

Memories are truly what history is........not necessarily what is written......never forget and be sure to pass along your memories

**The Q** · 6th January 17, 03:32 AM

SWMBO has a Glaswegian Singer (treadle) that's about 120 Years old, it was her mothers and grandmothers. Grandmother bought it second hand. It's SWMBOs preferred machine, the electrical one sits in a corner and doesn't get used much.

**Stoff** · 6th January 17, 06:29 AM

I have three electric sewing machines, including my grandmother's 1945 Singer Ultralight and a serger. I have not used any of them in years. The only sewing machine that I use is the treadle. I love it, much more control than with and electric.

Thanks,
Christoph

**Stoff** · 6th January 17, 07:17 AM

I am really making progress. Wednesday evening I pinned the pleats and then last night I sewed them. I am not completely satisfied with the way they look and the way the pleats lie on the inside, so, I will be hand sewing some of my dissatisfaction out of them. I plan to hand sew the gaps out of the fall and hand sew the pleats down on the inside where they flap around.

Starting to really look like a kilt:

And:

Outside of machine sewn pleats, showing gaps in the fall:

Inside of pleats showing how they flap around:

Then I will set the lining by hand prior to putting the waistband on. I am still in the air about what to line it with; either the original white denim that Mom used or some white/off white linen that I have laying around.

Oh yeah, I still need to cut the under apron and finish that edge.

I am considering what to use as a closure. I have some green leather that will look nice for the right hand belts but, I am considering Velcro for the left hand, concealed closure.

Fun, fun, fun; with the weekend weather looking like it is going to be nasty this looks like it will be a great weekend project. If all goes well I should be able to wear my new kilt next week.

**Grizzled Ian** · 8th January 17, 04:32 AM

Originally Posted by Stoff

I am considering what to use as a closure. I have some green leather that will look nice for the right hand belts but, I am considering Velcro for the left hand, concealed closure.

Do you absolutely need a closure on the left side? I have a box-pleated kilt made by Barb T that has no left-side closure, and only one, a strap and buckle, at the waist on the right. The underapron has never let go, and I wear the kilt dancing. Friction, and the belt I invariably wear, keep it in place quite satisfactorily.