Results of those Long, Cold February Days.

I have been waiting for spring to arrive here in the Midwest, and I made myself a large sketching board to take out into the woods and sketch pastoral views. I needed a larger carry bag to handle the board, sketch pad, pencils and all the other impedimenta that goes along with such endeavors. Here is what results from all that time stuck inside waiting for spring. The bag is 23" wide x 21" tall x 3" deep. It is made from Black Cotton Duck which is quilted and a pattern called Tumbling Blocks is used on the front and flap of the bag. A padded and quilted strap completes the piece. I had the fabric from a large stash of solid color patriotic stuff, that I use to make quilts for Veterans. There are two views showing the bag closed and with the flap thrown back showing the matching of flap pattern to bag front. The flap is closed to the bag front, with brass snaps. This should stand me in pretty good stead while stumbling through the poison Oak in search of the perfect view. Here you go.

formatting link
John

Reply to
John
Loading thread data ...

Wow! That is matched so well that I didn't see the flap until I looked at the second picture. Well done!

Reply to
BEI Design

Obsession to detail, is my middle name. Well, three middle names. Thanks. John

Reply to
John

I think it's a middle name we must share. Only mine is matching prints and plaids:

formatting link
was a softly pleated "Aboyne" skirt. This was my first hand-sewn kilt, made to practice for the real one:
formatting link
The "for real" one is on my web site and also
formatting link
I also made the velvet jacket:
formatting link
For this shirt I made for my husband:
formatting link
plaid is matched CB at the collar, yoke and back, the front band matches across and the pocket disappears, and the sleeve matches at one point in the armscye. I even match plaids when I sew for dolls:
formatting link

Reply to
BEI Design

Atta Girl. I love plaids that match. I have done a few shirts wherein the breast pocket is lost in the pattern. Love it. John John

Reply to
John

A couple of those links were reversed, sorry. You really haven't lived until you make a real kilt from genuine Scottish tartan. I made several kilted skirts when I was in high school, so when my DD asked if I would make my granddaughter's competition kilt I said sure, thinking I would sew it on the sewing machine.

Almost every stitch in a real kilt is sewn by hand. Took me

44 hours on the "practice" kilt, 50 on the real deal. All the pleats are stitched down from the waist to the bottom of the "fell" (the hip level), the facings are all hand sewn in place, the lining is hand sewn, there is darted hair canvas in the hip area (I'll get pictures of that process up later), a waist stay... with the exception of the first row of stitching on the CB join and the application of the waistband, *everything* is stitched by hand. I thought it was nuts, but came to realize it's the only way to get all those pleats to match perfectly.

This is the book I used to guide me through the process:

formatting link
I am looking forward to making a pleated-to-the-sett kilt for my son-in-law.

Reply to
BEI Design

I had no idea that a kilt was that complex. I have made a number of pleated skirts for my wife, but never anything that complex. But like any number of specialized clothing types, there is a lot of technical undercover stuff that you wouldn't know about unless you did that sort of thing, regularly. That looks like a fun, if demanding project. If I had any nieces or other relatives, who were into the highland fling "thing", I would like to take a shot at doing one of them, but sadly all of those younger relatives are layabouts, and not interested. I wonder if the same sort of thing pertains to Irish dance costumes. That would be closer to my own heritage, than the kilt. But from outward appearances, the costumes do differ. The Irish tend to be flared out, and not pleated. John

Reply to
John

process:

formatting link
>

Irish dance costumes are generally hidious and seem to be based on some awful offspring of a colision between a 1960's skating dress and a suit of armour! More upholstery than frock! They have no basis in any sort of national costume.

Some of the embroidery patterns are glorious, but the finished frocks? Ugh! Just *my* opinion, of course. YMMV... ;)

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

You are probably right. They do seem sort of "costumeish", when compared to a traditional Scottish Kilt. I just was referring to my own heritage of Irish lineage. I don't have any Scott In me, although, I did have some Scotch in me from time to time. But that was many years ago, in a land far, far away, called California, but not for the last 30 years. I know nothing about Scottish things, so my observations are rather unfocused. I am rather glad that my erstwhile younger relatives are not all over me to make any of those things, but I suppose I would do one or two just to say I had done it. John

Reply to
John

process:

formatting link
>>> I am looking forward to making a pleated-to-the-sett kilt>>>> for my son-in-law.>>>> --

Buttons

formatting link
> Click on Kate's Pages and explore!>

Kilts are hard work, but fun, and Our Beverly does a grand job. Me, with nothing but good Scots blood in my veins am contemplating a possible commission for 16 stretch lycra rara skirts! :D If I get this one it'll pay for Himself to get his teeth fixed...

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

Nor did I! ;-}

I have made a

It really was, my biggest problem I was working with a deadline, and barely made it under the wire. I liked it so much I am planning on making my son-in-law a kilt as soon as he settles on a tartan.

Ah, but you don't need a youngster involved with competitive Highland dance!! I bet if you tried you could locate a Highland Games in your area, and wear one yourself. You don't have to have Scots heritage to wear a kilt!

Irish dance costumes are, err, ummm, "gaudy", I guess would be the kindest way to put it:

formatting link
cannot tell you how happy I am that DGD took up Highland dance instead of Irish dance!

Reply to
BEI Design

Kate, you expressed my feelings on the subject exactly! I love my embroidery machine, but to put it to such use.... NEVER!

Reply to
BEI Design

I wouldn't, even for my beloved granddaughter. Nope, huh-uh, not in this lifetime.

And those garish costumes have little to do with true Irish national costumes:

formatting link

Reply to
BEI Design

Thanks, Kate! High praise, coming from you!

These?

formatting link
ROTFLOL!!! Pics!

Reply to
BEI Design

Imagine something like this:

formatting link
Only with 4 layers of 4" long skiert, supported by some dress net, and all sewn into panties.

Not hearfd back yet, so may not happen as they want them for 20th March.

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

That is actually kind of cute, and might be fun. I hope they give you the commission.

Reply to
BEI Design

Here is a shot of the interior of the bag with all of the various parts. At the top is the Sketch Board. 20" x 22" and made from Cherry with what are known as Breadboard Ends. They are pieces of wood that allow for expansion and contraction within the sketch board without any warping. A good flat surface is preferable, and this construction method insures that. Next is the Quilted, sewn-in-place Pencil Caddy, with individual pockets for pencils and other accessories. Lastly some sketch pads. Not shown is a 20" x22" Quilted, Cotton Duck "Tush Pad", for sitting on those less than ideal seating areas that sometimes are the only place to attempt to use the best view for sketching. This has been a fun project and might prompt me to get out of the house and into the woods once the weather clears up to less than "Life Threatening", as it has been hereabouts. Here you go:

formatting link

Reply to
John

Wow, very nice! My DGS is an artist and always carries around his sketch pad, I am going to ask him if he would like something similar.

Reply to
BEI Design

This was one of those things that grew like "Topsy". I was always looking around in various places for all the elements that go into the process of going out in the woods and drawing. They never seemed to be able to be found in a timely manner. So I said, one cold February day, not so long ago, "What if I had all of the elements seen here in one place". The rest is as they say, history, or in this case, Quilting. I often get "ideas" for something and then they just slip away, but this one struck a resonant cord, and allowed me to use some of the skills that I already had, along with some of the resources I already had, to come up with this Carrying case that now hangs ready to use on the wall of my sewing room. I am very happy with the results. The case is rather striking to look at,and functional also. I had fun doing it too. John

Reply to
John

Here is a picture of the case, hanging in place, awaiting better weather adventures.

formatting link
John

Reply to
John

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.