So, I have had an itch to make a leather kilt for my man. I have several good sources of leather, but I have a few questions. 1. What weight? 2. what species of hide would be best? 3.how the heck do you pleat leather? Any other suggestions from others that have make leather kilts before?
There are lots of possible answers to those questions. Lighter wieght leather is better, if you don't want a great weight. 2-4 oz./sq. ft. Lamb is softer, smaller, takes more skins. Cowhide is harder, more durable, stretches less, less expensive, but not as comfy. I can't answer the pleat question, as all the leather ones I have made were overlapping panels, and not continuous length material. And single purpose, too, to protect me from being burned in the forge shop whilst smithing. Conditions it will be subjected to are an issue as well.
Well now that's ... hmmm. I have one. Built out of my materials by Sportkilt. I used garment grade leather (Tandy Leatherworks were a tremendous help), took two full sides (approx. 4 feet each). Upholstery thread was used to hold it all together. It's folded and sewed at the top and down to the hips but not "pleated" in the normal fashion from there down, it just kinda hangs that way. You can ask James at SK how they did it, Robert at Rkilts has some nice looking leather kilts as well (I still want one of those too). Good Luck. CT - getting weller
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