MacPherson Kilt

[ChattanCat]

Hi,

This is my first no third post. I purchased an econ black watch kilt. Didn't like it so I bought some wool plaid material and made a "practice kilt". I then purchased 5 yds of MacPherson tartan fabric. I want to make a kilt pleated to the sett. Does anyone have any pictures of the pleated section of a MacPherson kilt?

Thanks.

[Alan H]

If you're going to hand-sew this, I STRONLY recommend Barb's book.

[Barb T]

There are so many variables in where it makes sense to fold the pleats if you're pleating to the sett that having another kilt in the same tartan is honestly not much help. You'd have to be the same size and shape as the person the kilt was made for, the tartan would have to have to be from the same mill with the same sett size and weight, and you'd have to the same amount of material that the original kiltmaker used.

I confess that, when I made my daughter's first band kilt, I actually borrowed one of the band kilts to see how it was pleated, thinking that I would make hers match. I hadn't been making kilts for more than a couple of years at that point, and I hadn't clearly thought through the issues. When I had her tartan and the band kilt in hand, it was one of those aha! moments. The tartan was identical, and I had the same yardage, but because she was a different size and shape, I had to pick the individual pleats somewhat differently. It doesn't matter, though, because the aim is to repeat the sett, and, from a distance, the kilts look the same. The only thing I wound up using the band kilt for was checking to see which part of the tartan was centered in the apron. Most tartans have two possibilities, and it _really_ looks odd if you pick the one that isn't the same as all the other band kilts.

Cheers,

Barb

[ChattanCat]

Hi Barb,
I have your book and have used it for my first kilt. It was invaulable, I would have never achieved the quality of the kilt without it.

The first kilt was easy. It was very simple and I could exactly match the pleat sett the same sett width. The Macpherson tartan is much more complex and I am having trouble identifiing the major elements and where to center each plett.

So here is my real question: Does the sett in the back have to be the same width as the sett in the front?

[RK-REX]

Barb,

Speaking of pleates... In a thread while ago you posted a picture of your daugher walking away from the camera holding someone's hand and wearing a striking kilt that was pleated to sett. (I think) What tartan was that if you know which one I'm talking about. That has to be one of the most beautiful kilts I've ever seen. I love colors.

Please and thank you.

[starbkjrus]

Barb,

Speaking of pleates... In a thread while ago you posted a picture of your daugher walking away from the camera holding someone's hand and wearing a striking kilt that was pleated to sett. (I think) What tartan was that if you know which one I'm talking about. That has to be one of the most beautiful kilts I've ever seen. I love colors.

Please and thank you.

The tartan you refer to is the Highland Granite and it's beautiful. I think somone on the board now owns a Highland Granite by Barb.

Here a pic of the same kilt:

[turpin]

Actually Dee, I think it may be this one. here is the thread, and here is a pic from it. It's my kilt, by the way. AND I LOVE IT!!

[RK-REX]

Nope, it is the one Barb's daugher is wearing. The white, grey and blue with yellow stripes. I must have it.. Well, someday....

And is it shown pleated to sett like I thought?

[ChattanCat]

Hey, thanks for the discussion. Is there anyone who can answer my question?

[ChattanCat]

Those are pleated to the stripe.