How to Make a Kilt Skirt
- 1
A big pattern repeat will require more material.Scottish Piper Playing image by Ray Carpenter from Fotolia.com
Take the measurements of the person you are making the kilt for. The kilt will be pleated at the back and have cross over panels at the front so you will need fabric that covers at least three times the person's waist measurement. Typically a kilt uses three to four yards of material. The pattern repeat of your tartan will also determine how much tartan you need to as you will make the pleat at each repeat so the tartan retains its pattern in the finished product. - 2). Cut the lining material into ten inch strips and fit around the waist until the strips cross over the body. Sew these together at the top to create a basis for the kilt. Cut a waistband about five inches deep.
- 3). Cut the two apron fronts of the kilt. Double check to see that the finished edge is at the bottom and that the pattern is running the same way. Fold a six-inch pleat into the right-hand side of the apron and sew into place. This will hold the leather buckle on the completed kilt.
- 4). Pleat the material for the back of the kilt. Start in the center with a double pleat and work outwards from each side, pinning the pleats into place as you go. Each pleat should follow the line of the tartan.
- 5). Sew the pleats into place from top to bottom using a running stitch than can be removed. This will help keep the shape in place. Sew the kilt pleats from around halfway, going up to the top of the material.
- 6). Attach the waistband. Fold over the pleated tartan and the two side aprons and sew into place. Sew in the lining.
- 7). Add the buckles. The kilt wraps over from right to left, so the outer buckle should be sewn onto the double width of tartan on the right-hand apron. Adjust the fit and attach the buckle fitting to the left-hand side of the apron.
- 8). Press the pleats into place using an iron and remove the running stitches.
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