Hawaiian Print - "Traditional Kilt"

**James MacMillan** · 12th September 07, 03:41 PM

I drove down to one of the local fruit stands this morning, and saw one of the neatest kilts that I have ever seen.

A gentleman from Samoa had on a Traditional Kilt - everthing about it was traditional, - buckles, apron, pleats, reverse pleats, everything - except it was done in a medium weight cotton cloth in a nice loud Hawaiian print.

I was walking up to the fruit stand as he was walking away, and we glanced at our mutual attire, and immediatly bonded. We chatted for a few minutes and he told me his history, and I told him mine.

His family is of mixed Polynisian and Scottish blood. Most of the men in his family either wear the "Lava Lava" (spelling?) or the kilt. His grand mother made his kilt for him. It is georgeous! If you can visualize it, it was pleated to sett, meaning that the pattern from the front apron continued across the back, just like in a tartan.

I didn't have my camera with me, so I didn't get a picture, but we did exchange phone numbers and e-mail adresses, so I should be able to get a picture sometime in the future.

I must say that this kilt - and I know of no other name for it, was just beautiful.

Has any one of you seen anything similar?

A full kilt, made with non-traditional, no-tartan cloth?

And, yes I have seen the UK made from cami material, but never a Hawaiian print.

**ccga3359** · 12th September 07, 03:43 PM

Never seen a kilt in this material but I do want to see one now. Hopefully you can furnish a picture.

**cloves** · 12th September 07, 03:52 PM

i think Utilikilts made a Hawaiian print kilt at one time......and maybe Pittsburgh Kilts did as well....could it have been one of those?

**McMurdo** · 12th September 07, 03:54 PM

That sounds kinda cool, don't think I would try it myself, but if it works for him that is very cool, and anyway how can you say no to your Grandmother.

**ccga3359** · 12th September 07, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

That sounds kinda cool, don't think I would try it myself,

But remember Glen, you are taking small steps. Perhaps one day...

**James MacMillan** · 12th September 07, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by cloves

i think Utilikilts made a Hawaiian print kilt at one time......and maybe Pittsburgh Kilts did as well....could it have been one of those?

Nope - The gent definitly said that his Grand Mother made it..... Of course maybe she works for Pittsburgh or UK??

**Monkey@Arms** · 12th September 07, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by James MacMillan

* * *

His family is of mixed Polynisian and Scottish blood. Most of the men in his family either wear the "Lava Lava" (spelling?) or the kilt. His grand mother made his kilt for him. It is georgeous! If you can visualize it, it was pleated to sett, meaning that the pattern from the front apron continued across the back, just like in a tartan.

* * *
I must say that this kilt - and I know of no other name for it, was just beautiful.

Has any one of you seen anything similar?

A full kilt, made with non-traditional, no-tartan cloth?

And, yes I have seen the UK made from cami material, but never a Hawaiian print.

Well even if he hadn't said that his Grandmother made it, it couldn't have been a UK, because they've never made a traditionally styled kilt regardless of the material. They did make a UK-styled Hawaiian print kilt though, Way2Fractcious has one.

Panache took this picture of a traditionally styled kilt, pleated to sett using non-traditional fabric. I like it!

Best regards,

Jake

**ccga3359** · 12th September 07, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

Well even if he hadn't said that his Grandmother made it, it couldn't have been a UK, because they've never made a traditionally styled kilt regardless of the material. They did make a UK-styled Hawaiian print kilt though, Way2Fractcious has one.

Panache took this picture of a traditionally styled kilt, pleated to sett using non-traditional fabric. I like it!

Best regards,

Jake

Ah! Bettie Page, I like. Unfortunatly, the hem is frayed and the fell too long! other than that cool kilt.

**The Wizard of BC** · 12th September 07, 04:45 PM

I am currently working on just that sort of thing.

A customer who spends half the year on Maui brought in some Hawaiian print fabric and requested a Dress Model Kilt made from it.

He wants to retain the print in the pleating so I am having to piece the fabric similarly to what I do when Camo fabric needs the pattern going horizontally.

I'll see if I can post some pics when I get it done.

The fabric of most Hawaiian prints is VERY light however and I would not advise it for a normal kilt unless you are prepared to add a lot of extra fabric to achieve enough weight to prevent fly-away. The one I am working on will use almost 11 yards and will have pleats almost 11 inches deep.