Member from Minnesota

**oli85** · 4th September 19, 03:46 PM

Hello I am from Minnesota. I found this site while trying to find instructions on making a kilt. I am working at my local renaissance fairs and i finally got talked into getting a kilt. Instead of buying one i want to make my own. I am 34 a army veteran work full time and volunteer with the Jaycees any chance I get. Not sure what else i need to put in here but if anyone has any questions feel free to just ask me.

**Father Bill** · 4th September 19, 04:10 PM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

The 'bible' on kiltmaking is The Art of Kiltmaking by our member Barbara Tewkesbury. Click her link at the right.

**Karl R** · 4th September 19, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by oli85

I am working at my local renaissance fairs and i finally got talked into getting a kilt. Instead of buying one i want to make my own.

I realize that a Renaissance Fair is a bit different than a reenactment group. However, as far as I have been able to determine from my research, great kilts first appeared about during the middle of the Renaissance (give or take several decades), and were worn until after the end of the Renaissance. Short kilts / half kilts (which look a bit more like modern kilts) appeared at the very end of the Renaissance (depending on how you define the end of the Renaissance).

Therefore, if you're just looking at kilts for the Renaissance Faire, you might want to start with great kilts. They aren't exactly "made." They're a length of cloth that's pleated and belted around the wearer.

If you want to wear your kilt for other purposes (daily wear, formal occasions, etc.), then you might want a more modern style. You can just claim it's "late Renaissance" when you're at the Faire. Since the Faire is not a reenactment group, the differences won't really matter.

Two different options, so you can get the most bang for your buck (and time) when putting together your kilt.

Have fun!