Lucky Me! Lucky Catanach Kilt #7 Review

[Moosedog]

What's this under my tree? Could it be...



Yes! I am the proud owner of Wallace Catanach hand-sewn kilt! Our own ChattanCat. My first tank, in my own clan tartan. What could be better?

I had sent the fabric to Wallace a few weeks previous and was surprised to get the completed work so soon! He worked hard during the busy holiday season to get it to me by Christmas.

Details: It's 16-ounce Robertson Hunting Modern. The huge sett on this means pleating it to the sett would result in about a 20-pound kilt for someone my size....so we decided to pleat to the red stripe, which effectively halves the sett to a more manageable 6 5/8". This resulted in 23 pleats to cover my backside out of the 4 yds double-width fabric.

Wallace had my measurements and a few photos of me in various kilts to dial in the fit long-distance. My short waist means we decided on a shorter rise than usual. We agreed on two buckles and no belt loops. He kindly sent me a few photos "in process" so I could see some of the construction details that are now hidden inside. Really fun to see it in the works.

Here is the kilt. Note the beautiful top apron fringe and the perfectly aligned binding on the front.



Wallace followed Barb's directions to a "T," this kilt is beautiful! The pleats are cut out and steeked for a good fit, and it’s fully lined with a festive green apron, which is anchored over the pleats but floating along the aprons. Wallace added a subtle yet rich Celtic knot work shield for protection.



The front apron has the white line properly centered. The aprons taper well and hang evenly fore and aft. At first I was unsure about the front apron--due to the sett and my particular width, there was no way to cut the apron properly without introducing the white line at the edges of the apron. But once I put in on I could see Wallace did it so expertly that it hangs perfectly vertically and so it looks fine. He stitched the under apron strap on top of the apron and allowed generous facings to facilitate any needed alterations in future. The swish factor is fantastic, as you can tell from my smile! I do not want to take this kilt off.









I waited through several days of rainy weather and finally gave up and took photos indoors, so they are a tad dark. But the red lines really “pop” with a red shirt on. The white line is perfectly aligned, it is just this camera angle that makes it look a bit off. Also I had been sitting at my desk for about an hour before takign this photo.



For an added treat the hose my mother is knitting me will be perfect with this kilt.



The entire process could not have gone more smoothly--although we communicated exclusively via e-mail I felt I was kept in the loop at all times. I would not hesitate to engage Wallace to create another kilt for me. This one is so special. Thanks, Wally!

Moosedog

[Bryan]

That's a beautiful kilt!! Congrats!!

[Bugbear]

Sounds Great! Ah, sixteen oz....

[Kiltman]

Congratulations on the new kilt. Now, go out and wear it.

[Captain Karrot]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[pipesndrumsnun]

Moosedog,
CONGRATULATIONS on your beautiful new kilt!!

[James MacMillan]

Another proud owner. Congratulations!

[PaulX608]

All I can say is WOW!!! That looks great! That is a huge sett, and it looks fantastic on you and pleated like that. Congrats and wear it with pride. You sure do look happy in it. Kudos to Wallace as well. Really nice job.

[McMurdo]

Congratulations on the new kilt, you wear it well.

[DTrain]

Absolutely gorgeous! The talent shown by members of this forum never ceases to amaze me.