Camp

**Mark's Mom** · 27th December 10, 02:27 AM

Hi, I am new to the board and wanted to introduce myself. My name is April and I live in Southern California. I'm a married mother of 3 wonderful sons and my youngest, Mark, wants a tartan kilt. Checking prices I found I could not afford a high quality kilt, so I promised to make one for him. The fabric arrived in time to wrap it up for Christmas with a promise to make the kilt as soon as I could figure out how to make one. I also got a copy of the Art of Kilt Making and have been studying it.

I bought 5 yards of double-wide 11 oz. worsted wool in a black Stewart tartan pattern. The set is rather small, but for a first kilt I thought it would be okay. I bought it online for $11.99 a yard, reduced from $28.00 per yard. I am a pretty good seamstress, making sportshirts and dress shirts for my husband and sons. I make a lot of my own clothes, and clothing gifts for friends. I have sewn piecework for a children's clothing company.

My son, Mark, is high-functioning Autistic. He is a really great young man. He is a senior in high school this year and has invited four girls to next May's Junior/Senior prom. He is interested in becoming a fashion/costume designer, and is designing and making each girl's prom dress. And for himself, he has decided to dress in highland attire. He asked me to make the kilt because he would be too busy sewing the prom dresses. It looks like making a prom dress is easy compared to making a kilt.

We have a lot of Scottish heritage. My grandmother was a Mac Donald and my husband's family is Hay. This makes the kilt idea fun. For Christmas I was able to get Mark a horsehair sporran, which he wore to tour Hollywood this morning wearing a gray suit and argyl sweater. He fit right in.

I have heard about a kiltmaking camp in Petaluma, California, but I have not found any information on whether it will take place this year. Does anyone know who I can contact to find out about the camp? I think it would really help to have live instruction on making the kilt. I would love to attend the camp. Any comments about the camp would be helpful, too.

Thanks,
Mark's Mom

**Jock Scot** · 27th December 10, 02:34 AM

Welcome April, from Inverness-shire.

**BoldHighlander** · 27th December 10, 02:38 AM

...from the far nw corner of Washington state!

**Chas** · 27th December 10, 03:00 AM

Hello Mark's Mom and Mark,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the world in Norfolk, England.

Barbara Tewksbury is a member here, so you could go to the source if you need help.

Regards

Chas

**cessna152towser** · 27th December 10, 03:56 AM

from the Scottish Borders.

**KenB** · 27th December 10, 05:31 AM

Welcome from Toronto!

**McClef** · 27th December 10, 05:38 AM

from South Wales UK!

**Tartan Hiker** · 27th December 10, 06:42 AM

Welcome to the forum, and a hearty congratulations to Mark for being so industrious! He sounds like a really great young man.

**MacMillans son** · 27th December 10, 07:15 AM

Welcome aboard. You've come to the right place!

The kilt camp is likely put on by Elsie Stuehmeyer, the teacher of Ms. Tewksbury and the co-author of the book you referenced. I believe that another member here "Tartan Tess" is planning on attending a "camp" there in the Spring but I'm not sure if that fits your time line.

Donna Willy is another one of Elsie's friends and students here in Northern Ca. and has made a couple of kilts for me. I would be happy to get more information for you, or connect you with her if that would be helpful. Just let me know.

And again, welcome!

Brooke