It's finally done. Woven and sewn by hand. I have to say I'm actually pretty excited that it came out so well. I really was not expecting it to. I wore it to the Weavers Guild meeting last week and they snapped these pictures for me. (Yes, matching those stripes was pretty tedious.)
I would never have been able to sew it correctly if I hadn't been able to borrow a book from a fellow guild member--thanks Wendy! The Art of Kiltmaking by Barbara Tewksbury was wonderfully written and easy to follow. I have to say two things about using the book: 1) I think she is a little basting-happy. Pins work just as well for about half of the times she has you baste. 2) I am very glad I was working with my fluffy handwoven cloth and not some finer machine woven cloth--none of my stitches show because they just kind of get covered up by the yarn. I am a horribly messy and inconsistent hand-stitcher and it would look pretty awful if you could see all my stitches.
I also got to wear it to our annual dance performance at the Renaissance Festival. Let me just say, this skirt is absolutely amazing to dance in. It swishes really high and twirls wonderfully--every girl's dream right? I took the baby with me and she had her own "wee-kilt" and bonnet to wear. She was the star of the show of course. Her kilt was made as a gift by Wendy, it's in the Campbell tartan in case you're wondering.
I am so glad I spent all that time to make this kilt (2 months!), but would I ever do it again? Probably not. If you're interested in making your own kilt, it's very straightforward to sew. I would definitely sew one again, but I would buy the cloth instead of weaving it. The book estimates that a first-time kiltmaker will spend 40 hours sewing one. I think I did it in around 20 hours. (Maybe it's because I skipped all that basting!)
Do you have any projects that took forever, but were worth it in the end? Or not worth it?
5 comments:
Cute baby and beautiful kilt! I would have to say I think that about most things I have made, usually about halfway through I feel like it isn't worth it! I used to make more complicated projects but have simplified everything--including Thanksgiving dinner--maybe a little too much. Not sure yet what the "happy medium" is, if there is one, because the skills required for complicated projects are definitely worth maintaining (or are they?)
Your kilt is awesome. I'm still amazed at you weaving the fabric and making the kilt from it too. It looks really great.
Christy, your work is (as always) just beautiful! And so is your daughter. Congratulations on your successful project!
i never put 2 and 2 together to realize that you actually wove and constructed that kilt. i am in awe!
Post a Comment