Belted plaid with a drawstring.

[Herr Doktor]

Guten tag!

I am seeking help with a new project, a drawstring secured belted plaid.

I have recently read through Matthew Newsome’s most excellent article, “Did the early belted plaid have a drawstring” and I have become extremely fascinated with the concept of using a drawstring to secure the belted plaid. So much so, that I am endeavouring to construct one from scratch just to see how it works. What I am hoping to find here are photos of drawstring kilts that others have made, and perhaps some advice on what and what not to do (materials are not cheap and mistakes are expensive). I have found that the best course of action is to do as much research as possible, before picking up the tools.

Any help will be appreciated.

Would anyone know if there were any photographs taken of the John Murray MacGregor plaid mentioned in the article, and if so where could they be viewed? Also, where could one find a copy of the article written by Jamie Scarlett?

A quote from Matthew Newsome’s article: “Did the early belted plaid have a drawstring”.

“One very practical solution to donning the belted plaid has recently come to the attention of Highland dress historians. In the collection of the Scottish Tartans Society is a belted plaid that was worn by Sir John Murray MacGregor of MacGregor on the occasion of King George IV's visit to Edinburgh in 1822. This plaid has small loops sewn into the inside waistline, at the rate of one loop for every repeat of the tartan pattern. (Note: According to an article written by Jamie Scarlett, the loops were sewn to the inside. According to conversation with Bob Martin, the loops are on the outside.) A cord was threaded through these loops, like a drawstring. The loops are then slid together along the cord, the cord is tied at the waist, the front aprons of the plaid are arranged, and an outer belt is put on the secure the whole thing. Viola! An easy and simple way to don the belted plaid.”

Tschüß!

[figheadair]

Guten tag!

I am seeking help with a new project, a drawstring secured belted plaid.

I have recently read through Matthew Newsome’s most excellent article, “Did the early belted plaid have a drawstring” and I have become extremely fascinated with the concept of using a drawstring to secure the belted plaid. So much so, that I am endeavouring to construct one from scratch just to see how it works. What I am hoping to find here are photos of drawstring kilts that others have made, and perhaps some advice on what and what not to do (materials are not cheap and mistakes are expensive). I have found that the best course of action is to do as much research as possible, before picking up the tools.

Any help will be appreciated.

Would anyone know if there were any photographs taken of the John Murray MacGregor plaid mentioned in the article, and if so where could they be viewed? Also, where could one find a copy of the article written by Jamie Scarlett?

A quote from Matthew Newsome’s article: “Did the early belted plaid have a drawstring”.

“One very practical solution to donning the belted plaid has recently come to the attention of Highland dress historians. In the collection of the Scottish Tartans Society is a belted plaid that was worn by Sir John Murray MacGregor of MacGregor on the occasion of King George IV's visit to Edinburgh in 1822. This plaid has small loops sewn into the inside waistline, at the rate of one loop for every repeat of the tartan pattern. (Note: According to an article written by Jamie Scarlett, the loops were sewn to the inside. According to conversation with Bob Martin, the loops are on the outside.) A cord was threaded through these loops, like a drawstring. The loops are then slid together along the cord, the cord is tied at the waist, the front aprons of the plaid are arranged, and an outer belt is put on the secure the whole thing. Viola! An easy and simple way to don the belted plaid.”

Tschüß!

How ever so timely.

The MacGregor plaid is not in the STS collection, now owned by the STA, although it was on loan to the STS some 25 years ago.

I recently examined the outfit and am halfway through a paper on the plaid, including dimentions, detail of some unusual features etc, oh and pictures of course. I'm about to disappear on Exercise for a a week but hope to get it finished and up on my website by the end of the month.

Hope you can stand the wait.

[Brasilikilt]

I have also wanted to do this as well, but didn't have enough examples to go off of to see exactly how it was done.

I will be watching this topic with interest.

[Herr Doktor]

Grüß Gott!

"I recently examined the outfit and am halfway through a paper on the plaid, including dimensions, detail of some unusual features etc, oh and pictures of course. I'm about to disappear on Exercise for a a week but hope to get it finished and up on my website by the end of the month.

Hope you can stand the wait."


Figheadair, thank you for your reply. I think I can wait a few more weeks. The fabric has been sitting on the shelf for two years so another month will not make much difference. It's all in the seasoning you see. The longer a project sits, the sweeter it is upon completion. Anticipation. Patience and proper research always produces the best results.

You are very fortunate to have access to these treasures, and it is so very good of you to share your research with us. So many researchers are tight with their findings. This helps no one but themselves.

When I get this project finished I will be posting some photos of the work.

Would it be possible to post a link to your web site?

Tschüß!

[Dustybaer]

can't wait for this one. sounds like a brilliant idea. thank you so much for sharing.

[figheadair]

Grüß Gott!

You are very fortunate to have access to these treasures, and it is so very good of you to share your research with us. So many researchers are tight with their findings. This helps no one but themselves.

When I get this project finished I will be posting some photos of the work.

Would it be possible to post a link to your web site?

Tschüß!

www.scottishtartans/research

[M. A. C. Newsome]

www.scottishtartans/research

Peter, your link is not working. I tried adding in the .co.uk part and that didn't work, either.

[figheadair]

It's proving a challenge to write this one up but hope to have it done shortly.

[Brian Boru]

Gentlemen,
It works, it works, it works!!! I have three great kilts and have done this to all three. I had the kilts pleated by a friend at Wolfstone Kilt Co. at my local Ren Faire, and using binder clips (a.k.a. bull clips)clipped each pleat. I then measured from my waist to the top of my knee and applied the measurement to the kilt moving the clips to the correct distance from the selvege edge of the kilt up each pleat. I then sewed 0.5 inch plastic rings (purchased from JoAnns Fabrics) in place on each pleat just above the binder clip. I then ran a piece of soft cotton cord through the rings, arranged the kilt on the bed and laid back on the kilt, tied the cord about my waist, arranged the aprons, buckled my belt and stood up, done! I had my great kilt on in just under eight minutes, (most of the time was spent chasing my cats off of it ) I added a second belt with my dirk and sporran and a smaller belt pouch on it and was ready to walk out out the door. Adding the rings makes putting my great kilts on much easier and far less time consuming than doing all that pleating each and every time I want to wear one of them. I plan on doing this to any more great kilts I get. Good luck on yours.

Regards,

Brian

[Droid]

Can you upload pictures?