leather kilts

[longforgan]

You know, in a sense leather is the original material for the first kilts! One morning in a distant ancient epoch, an early man, one of our original ancestors, wrapped an animal skin around his legs. Now I know that in our time pretty well all materials have been tried, but how does leather stack up as a kilt material? Contributions would be welcome and valuable from folks like Bubba or Jimmy Cartomb who I believe are talented enough to be into kilt-making. One thing leather has going for it is that it doesn't fray and so you don't worry about seams and all that but in folding the leather to make the pleats etc means a lot of thickness and that means a heavy-duty sewing machine. Then there is dying. If I was making a leather kilt, I would prefer to buy pre-dyed leather. I used to be into leatherwork but lost all of my tools many moons ago. It would be interesting to hear folks views/experiences/advice on leather kilts. Thanks, - Alan Burybreeks

[Kiltbear]

I am a sworn convert to leather kilts which for a true Scotsman (rather than Scots via emigration etc etc) is almost heresy. Much more comfortable and definitely more practical. Warmer/wipe clean/what else can I say? Plus girlies REALLY love 'em. I got groped at an Anastasia concert by two late 20's girlies as I was trying to find my seat. One lifted the kilt and the other went in for the kill. Would they have groped a 50 year old guy had he been wearing a conventional kilt? Methinks not. Write to Robert at Rkilts for quotes and remember he is quoting Canadian dollars not Yankee. And no...I'm not on commission. Some will try to tell you that a leather Utilikilt is much better. I have one and its rapidly unthreading all over. The workmanship is poorer. Uh oh I have opened my mouth again. Here we go... a flood of replies attacking me and telling me how wunnerful UK kilts are and how dare I have an opinion which runs contrary to the God fearing pro American way of life. Gawd bless America....(blech)

[Riverkilt]

Another leather kilt convert here. Have a brown UK and so far its holding up well. Wore it three days straight in foul weather in the mountains and loved it. Also sat on it driving for five hours and no creases.

I agree, it seems to be some sort of sin to dare to point out that the quality, and sometimes the attitude, coming out of UK are less than what we as customers expect for the money. The good news is that their quality and production problems have generated a crop of young Turks ready to offer a better product. I love my six UKs, especially the leather. If UK ever get their sh*t in a group they'll be awsome. I love their spirit and I love thier corporate culture and I love what they've done to spread kilts about the world. It would be nice if the thread didn't unravel and the snaps arrived unbroken, and the jones wasn't so long...maybe I'm some sort of a jinx. Just emailed the boss a straightforward letter about my experiences. Maybe an enthusiastic kid would put up with it but I'm 60. Guess I really feel like I'm being denied the joy of a great UK when there's a quality problem. Maybe I'm just feeling bummed because my new blue denim arrived with a busted snap.

Back to leather, I'm lovin' it in the winter...not sure about how it will be in the Arizona summer, but its great now.

If I knew then what I knew now when I first started ordering kilts I would have made the first one leather...and the second. Have been saving for a black UK but now hearing that Robert may have burgandy and blue...I have a blue leather chair I've had for many many years and love...

Ron

[phil h]

rob from rkilts.com has my vote too, super nice guy, well made kilts too.I have the first leather kilt ever on offer, not worn it much as I need to be cool in the summer.I was just thinking today about getting it out again in the cold canadian weather, we have been having.I have the black rkilt, and have seen the leather swatches he has, he makes them in some Very nice colours, no silly stitches down the side either, the fastens like a traditional kilt too.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I've only made ONE leather kilt, and there is a HUGE difference in making them as compared to the "material" ones. Here are the things to consider:

1). There are leathers that are MORE than heavy enough for a kilt that are not that thick. With the layers in the pleating and the dual aprons, you really don't need much.
2). There SHOULD be a whole lot less sewing with leather than with material. A properly treated leather will keep its form, while material wanders. That conservation in thread actually makes them easier... not harder.
3). The areas of attention for sewing are limited to the hips, taper, and waist. Remember that the thread MUST be synthetic. As natural fiber threads contract and expand... so will the leather... to extreme!
4). The front apron is a HUGE problem with curling at the tips. A simple traditional tapering, a proper sew-up to hug the edges, and a wider apron will make this problem non-existant.
5). NOTHING is easier than the care for a leather kilt. If you've ever had a saddle, then you'll know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
6). Take your time when making a leather kilt. IF you're using a machine, then you'll go through a few needles since the leather will dull them quickly. The power of the machine is a non-factor. The needles and the slow speed of sewing are the tricks.
7). Would I make another leather kilt? That's an emphatic YES. The thing took me no time to make, and looked GREAT with the formal pleat depth, formal pleat width, and the three buckles.
~Think about using a suede leather when you do one. It's an unbelievable look in the daylight. You MAY even be able to find a suede with a "backing". This is usually a thin, woven backing that's soft to the skin.

[Canuck]

I've only made ONE leather kilt, and there is a HUGE difference in making them as compared to the "material" ones. Here are the things to consider:

1). There are leathers that are MORE than heavy enough for a kilt that are not that thick. With the layers in the pleating and the dual aprons, you really don't need much.
2). There SHOULD be a whole lot less sewing with leather than with material. A properly treated leather will keep its form, while material wanders. That conservation in thread actually makes them easier... not harder.
3). The areas of attention for sewing are limited to the hips, taper, and waist. Remember that the thread MUST be synthetic. As natural fiber threads contract and expand... so will the leather... to extreme!
4). The front apron is a HUGE problem with curling at the tips. A simple traditional tapering, a proper sew-up to hug the edges, and a wider apron will make this problem non-existant.
5). NOTHING is easier than the care for a leather kilt. If you've ever had a saddle, then you'll know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
6). Take your time when making a leather kilt. IF you're using a machine, then you'll go through a few needles since the leather will dull them quickly. The power of the machine is a non-factor. The needles and the slow speed of sewing are the tricks.
7). Would I make another leather kilt? That's an emphatic YES. The thing took me no time to make, and looked GREAT with the formal pleat depth, formal pleat width, and the three buckles.
~Think about using a suede leather when you do one. It's an unbelievable look in the daylight. You MAY even be able to find a suede with a "backing". This is usually a thin, woven backing that's soft to the skin.

Jimmy addressing your points I will add the following;
1) I use 2.25- 3 oz/sqft leather for my kilts. They have the right amount of weight and have an excellent swish factor.
2) There is almost the same amount of sewing if not more as I top stitch each pleat. This in turn gives it a rugged knife edge look, keeps the pleat. In truth, there is more sewing because, where are you going to get a cow that's going to give you 6yds of leather in one long piece (OK maybe Texas). You have to piece it together. It takes 1.5 hides to build one of my kilts and takes a few more hours than my contemporary kilts to make. 3) I use the same math as the traditional kilts for taper, waist and hip as well as the kick out on the bottom of the apron to prevent curl. I use a #69 nylon thread and burn the ends to prevent fraying.
4)I have reconfigured the front apron to prevent the curl so it hangs just right.
5) I agree cleaning is a breeze and glycerene soap works well for your deep cleening needs, a mink oil or aussie paste will restore the suppleness.
6) I built the first few kilts on a 1929 straight stitch singer and yes I went through some needles. I now have a walking foot industrial machine and it handles all the pleats without a problem and no broken needles. This is a dream machine and a must if you are going to do some serious building of leather kilts.
I like the three strap closure and I use premium bridal leather and edge stitch that as well to prevent too much stretching. Solid buckles as well complete the look.
The leather I use is fully dyed and has a nice soft suede to the skin.
The weight of the finished kilt is around 4lbs. about the same as a traditional 16oz tank. (That includes a full under apron and over apron)
They are easy to care for roll them up in a ball a quick shake and the kilt is as good as the day it was made.
I really love these babies! Almost as good as a tank! or next best thing!
Cheers
Robert

[longforgan]

I would probably agree with Phil H. about RKilts leather offerings however they are very expensive. But yes, I know you get what you pay for. Quality costs. Has anyone had any experience or heard anything about this outfit in Britain call Union Kilts which specializes in leather? From the photos on their site, the product looks good and the price is reasonable. - Cheers- Alan

[Brodi]

OOOOOOOh, Curse you people and your talk of Leather kilts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!*shaking fist in mock anger* You guys have got me wanting one more than ever, especially to take to Germany this coming March. Only problem being I have no money, no job at the moment, and school is taking up more time than I would like. Damn you's!!!!!

[phil h]

OOOOOOOh, Curse you people and your talk of Leather kilts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!*shaking fist in mock anger* You guys have got me wanting one more than ever, especially to take to Germany this coming March. Only problem being I have no money, no job at the moment, and school is taking up more time than I would like. Damn you's!!!!!

I got a leather kilt! yoooou don't :P
hahahahhahahahaha

[phil h]

rob,you refer to a tank, I hear that word used a lot to describe a kilt? what does it mean?
a sturdy 8yrd kilt?