Hello from Dunstable, England

[Vikingnephilim]

Hi Everyone

Happy to be here. Half Scottish / Half German man living in Dunstable, and looking at making his own kilts! I have 2 pre-made from Pakistan (ok quality, Gunn Tartan and Anderson Modern Tartan, and they do the purpose which is for when I go to the office). Got a custom tailor made one coming for my wedding in October (highland mist) but want to broach into making my own.

I am a fat bloke - accident playing rugby when I was younger meant no walking for 9 months, and I was eating like I was still playing and training and ballooned in weight, struggled to shift it (gone from 40st to 30st in 10 years, so not too bad!)

When it comes to making the kilt, as a practice run, I was going to go to dunelm and get some cheap fabric cut to size, and learn as I go from the materials on here and if it's a success, do one in Polyviscose or wool (depending on what I can get and from where at a reasonable price)!

Wish me luck

[Father Bill]

Welcome to "The Great Rabble"!

Recommend that you get "The Art of Kiltmaking" from our member Barb Tewksbury (Click her button at the right) and also that you do not try to do something other than wool for your first one. It can be very discouraging, and won't help much with your learning curve.

Meanwhile, glad you're here!

[Vikingnephilim]

Thank you Father. Looks like I will need to find a mill that will supply a singular person rather than a company! 😊

[Jock Scot]

Welcome, from Inverness-shire. Try, Scotweb, a UK business, they might be able to help with a length of cloth. Good luck.

[Vikingnephilim]

I'll take a look! Thanks for the heads up

[Liam]

Welcome to the forum from Western Canada!

[Vikingnephilim]

also that you do not try to do something other than wool for your first one. It can be very discouraging, and won't help much with your learning curve.

Meanwhile, glad you're here!

Looking at the prices, I don't think I can afford to pay other than polyviscose. Even the cheapest tartans and wool lengths (9 yards to accommodate my girth), would come out at more than I can reasonably afford, unless I was getting measured for one to be made (at which point, I may as well pay the extra £50 and have it made). I'll keep looking, but polyviscose may be the best option in the short term whilst I save. ☺ I also downloaded the pdf file from Barbara and will have a good read of it in due course.

[Father Bill]

Looking at the prices, I don't think I can afford to pay other than polyviscose. Even the cheapest tartans and wool lengths (9 yards to accommodate my girth), would come out at more than I can reasonably afford, unless I was getting measured for one to be made (at which point, I may as well pay the extra £50 and have it made). I'll keep looking, but polyviscose may be the best option in the short term whilst I save. ☺ I also downloaded the pdf file from Barbara and will have a good read of it in due course.

If you've got only a 50 pound difference, you've either found a very cheap kiltmaker or a very expensive wool. Good for you for the book. It will steer you well.

[Vikingnephilim]

There's a 1 missing. 😂 Should say 150. 😂

£50 per metre is what I'm averaging at the moment. Some are cheaper but not by much, some are more expensive....
So looking at £450 for the yardage to be safe, and well, an extra £150 to get it made for me is easily done.

If it could be chipped to half that price, would be more justifyable, but polyviscose would work for now.

[grizzbass]

from Southern California and good luck on the kilts. I have made, admittedly pretty poorly made, kilts for my grandkids. They wanted clan pokemon, dinosaur and super heros the times I made them.