Newbie in the Pacific Northwest

**sswarden** · 5th June 13, 08:52 AM

Brand new member here in Portland, OR, USA. HELLO!

I found a killer deal on a vintage traditional kilt, and it just arrived. I've worn it out of the house once, and it's (mostly*) awesome! My sporran arrived yesterday.

* My only complaint from my inaugural wearing is that 16oz wool can be quite abrasive on certain bits. I remedied this by ironing on a scrap from an old T-shirt to the inside of the under-apron. Works like a charm.

The kilt is an 8yd, 16oz Murray of Atholl. It's a little bit small on me, but it has at least a couple of inches to move the under-apron strap, so I'm hoping to find someone in Portland who can do the alteration (I want someone who knows their way around a kilt, and knows how to measure and assure a proper fit). If you or someone you know is a kiltmaker in Portland, I'd love to hear from you.

My kilt has a feature I've never seen, and I'm not entirely sure what it's for. Maybe you know. There is a heavy cotton square stitched onto the front of the under-apron, in the spot directly behind where the sporran would be worn. At first I thought it might be an extra layer to help prevent too much of a bulge, but then I noticed that it is not sewn on the top edge, so it's basically a pocket. I can't for the life of me imagine anyone actually putting anything in there (except for maybe some cash or a credit card), because it would have exactly the opposite effect as my first inclination.

Looking forward to learning more about the kilt-wearing world.

Cheers,

Spencer

**Father Bill** · 5th June 13, 08:53 AM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

**Kiltedjohn** · 5th June 13, 09:26 AM

Welcome from the English West Midlands.

**Nile** · 5th June 13, 09:40 AM

Hello Spencer! Welcome to X Marks from the Delmarva peninsula (Delaware).

I'm not sure what that extra feature is on your kilt, I'm sure that if you post a picture, someone will respond with an answer. Actually, we would all like to see a picture of your vintage kilt, preferably with you in it.

Nile

**Richrail** · 5th June 13, 09:40 AM

from Reno, NV

**sswarden** · 5th June 13, 09:47 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'll try to get some pix posted soon

**McClef** · 5th June 13, 10:19 AM

from South Wales UK!

**JohntheBiker** · 5th June 13, 10:24 AM

from Toronto, Canada

I would say that the addition is most likely an improvised pocket.

**SorenMacTavish** · 5th June 13, 10:25 AM

Welcome from Puget Sound!!

**Plaid Draftsman** · 5th June 13, 12:35 PM

Greetings and welcome from Milwaukee, WI.

My Sportkilt has a pocket right about there. I kept a small wallet and my phone in there. Needless to say, not a good look if I had to reach into my kilt to get my wallet/phone. Looks too much like I had an itch. Thanks goodness I finally bought a sporran last weekend.