What is the best material/size is best for a great kilt?

[MacQueennie]

Hi all,

I have read that it is best to buy the heaviest wool that you can afford to create a Great Kilt. Then I read that a light to medium-weight is better. I do understand that a Great it is just one long double width of plaid about 6-9yds in length which needs to be hand pleated, (please correct me if I'm wrong). I am buying for my husband who is 5'10" with a 42" inch waist so I assume about 7-8 yards right? but which material is best? I don't mind the hard work of pleating it but I'd like him to actually be able to use it for warmth (we live in Michigan) since he wouldn't be wearing it as clothing as often after we renew our vows this May. There seems to be such a huge cost difference between the material weights, Any suggestions please?

[McMurdo]

I think you should read this article written by our own Matt Newsome on the belted plaid or great kilt.

https://albanach.org/evolution-of-th...r-10b834c28f7e

Matt explains that the great kilt was wide enough to reach from the knees to above the head (usually 50” to 60”) and was usually about four yards in length (though some may have been as long as six yards).

I would go get a length of tartan that large and practice putting on the great kilt, it will get easier with practice, so giving him the kilt the night before might not be the best thing.

I found this thread perhaps it will give you ideas on what a Great Kilt looks like as Formal Attire
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-73429/

Also this one from Matt Newsome
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...l-plaid-36463/

[Tarheel]

Thanks for the links and heads up Glenn. New members and folks browsing need specific direction through the maze of info provided here at XMarks. You are the man!

[figheadair]

Glenn, the last two links appear to be dead.

[McMurdo]

Glenn, the last two links appear to be dead.

Thanks Peter fixed now.

[MacQueennie]

Thank you for the great links & resources but I haven't seen anything that talks about the weight of the fabric. Some of the pics look like medium weight though, I'm not sure. I'm thinking the 16/17oz weight may be too heavy to pleat I don't know.

[Luke MacGillie]

I know it can be rather daunting to jump into a great kilt, and doing this over the internet is even worse, with no tactile frame of reference.

So first off, heavyweight kilt fabric, its not like a wool blanket, it does not have that heavy knap to it. 18 oz is a very good weight, you can pleat that, and with just a belt, have pleats that will hold their shape. the lighter weight tartans, when you pleat them, yes you have pleats at the belt line, but they lose their shape between the belt and the selvage edge.

As to yardage, Yes Highland soldiers received 12 yards of tartan every 2 years. but this was single width tartan, so it was butted together to make a double wide piece of fabric, about 3 yards long and 50 or so inches wide. They also only received 6 yards of tartan each year, the rest was held in regimental stores, issued out only when it was needed, either for ceremonies where a nicer look was required, or when the daily wear great kilt was worn out.

Today most tartan is double width, 58 to 60 inches wide. Your husband will really only need 3 yards of double width tartan. With most of the suppliers selling in meters, you will get some extra there as well.

[MacQueennie]

I know it can be rather daunting to jump into a great kilt, and doing this over the internet is even worse, with no tactile frame of reference.

So first off, heavyweight kilt fabric, its not like a wool blanket, it does not have that heavy knap to it. 18 oz is a very good weight, you can pleat that, and with just a belt, have pleats that will hold their shape. the lighter weight tartans, when you pleat them, yes you have pleats at the belt line, but they lose their shape between the belt and the selvage edge.

As to yardage, Yes Highland soldiers received 12 yards of tartan every 2 years. but this was single width tartan, so it was butted together to make a double wide piece of fabric, about 3 yards long and 50 or so inches wide. They also only received 6 yards of tartan each year, the rest was held in regimental stores, issued out only when it was needed, either for ceremonies where a nicer look was required, or when the daily wear great kilt was worn out.

Today most tartan is double width, 58 to 60 inches wide. Your husband will really only need 3 yards of double width tartan. With most of the suppliers selling in meters, you will get some extra there as well.

Awesome! Thank you so much! Hopefully I can post pics afterward!