my Carolina is here!

[piperdbh]

Several months ago I placed an order with Matt Newsome for a tartan Carolina box-pleat kilt. He measured me, and I showed him how I wanted the pleats done. While waiting for it to be made, I decided that I needed a jacket to wear with it, and then I'd need a waistcoat to go with the jacket. One of my aunts found a black camel hair jacket for me at a thrift shop, and I set to work making a waistcoat. The glorious VMac sent me the extra pieces form the Inverness cape she made for me, and I used them to make the waistcoat.
Because I'm a North Carolina native, and our state flower is the dogwood, I found some pewter dogwood buttons online and attached them to the waistcoat.


Last Thursday I got an email saying that a package had been shipped from Mr. Newsome and would arrive at my house on Friday. Friday turned into the best (or worst, depending on how you look at it) snow storm we've had in the last 16 years. I received another email that night saying the delivery was not attempted. Saturday I awoke to see 11" of snow in my yard, as has already been discussed in other threads. Sunday at 1 pm there was a knock on my door. The FedEx man was here with a box for me. I brought it inside, but couldn't open it yet because church had been moved to 2 pm, and the Mrs. and I were meeting up with my parents to ride with them.

It lay on my couch, all alone and neglected, until later Sunday afternoon.
Once opened, I discovered this inside:


I quickly spread it out on the couch to admire:


Tonight I wore it with the waistcoat and jacket to a family Christmas party. Here I am at home after the party:

Yes, I wore white hose. No, I did not wear a tie.

By the way, the Celtic cross on my left is made of tin and came from Mexico.

Look, Ma, no shoes!


This kilt is my new favorite. I have Newsome #9, 388, and now 400-and-something. I love the way he pleated it, I love the way the box pleats feel when sitting on them, and I love the weight of the fabric. The only complaint I have is that I have expanded a bit since he measured me. (Fewer barbecue potato chips and more carrot juice will solve that problem.) This was my Christmas present to myself, and so far, it's my favorite. Thanks again, Matt, for making this kilt. I really like it and plan to wear it as often as I can.

[McMurdo]

Wonderful photos, congratulations on the fine kilt, welcome to the club. Another masterpiece from Matt and well done on the waistcoat. I know how excited you were about getting it I'm sure it will give you years of joy.

[Highlander31]

Very nice. The Carolina is a beautiful tartan. Nice work on the waistcoat, as well.

[English Bloke]

Lovely!

[dfmacliam]

very nice..

[Rollo]

Wonderful !
I like waiscoat buttons !

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Looks great, David! I'm glad it made it through the snow and ice.

I really like your dogwood buttons on your waistcoat!

I wear a dogwood kilt pin on my Carolina kilt, made by Stuart Nye jewelers. It's No. 4 in their catalog here:
http://www.stuartnye.com/page4.htm

I'm sure a shop near you must carry their products, they are pretty popular here in western NC.

[MacKay71]

Looks Good!

[A Hay]

Congratulations!

You look really nice. Few things are more exciting than opening a package you know has a kilt in it!

Merry Christmas.

Tom

[McClef]

Looks good on you - you are right to feel happy and proud!