would ask two pieces of advice

[Alaska Randy]

I am endeavoring to make a great kilt out of some good quality wool, how do I go about finding some? What am I looking for? Also how does somebody of modest means go about finding out which tartan he should be wearing? Thank you for any help.

[Chas]

Hello Randy and welcome.

I am not a great believer in the great kilt, so I will leave that to those that wear it all the time.

As to tartan - generally it is your family name. That is to say your father's side. If there are no tartans there, then the women on your father's side - all the wives of all the males in your father's line.

If that fails, then you are heading down your mother's side. Firstly all the males, then finally all the wives of all the males.

If in the end, you find no one and not one clan that you can call your own - then there are the generic tartans, which anyone can wear. Black Watch and Royal Stewart are the two most famous, but there are many 'fashion' tartans which are specifically designed for all to wear.

So the first thing is - what is your surname?

Regards

Chas

[Zardoz]

Source for tartan; http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/tartan/

[chrisupyonder]

Try here, click on the tartan ferret and enter your surname.

http://www.tartansauthority.com/

Chris.

[McElmurry]

I was given slightly different advice which was to use the closest connection regardless of whether it is on the fathers or mothers side. So I went with my mothers maiden name over my paternal great grandfather.

Try googling surnames with various spellings. Give more credence to sites that list sources. Don't trust sites that want to sell you stuff with your name on it.

Another way is to start with your birth certificate and carefully work your way back.

[McElmurry]

Also how does somebody of modest means go about finding out which tartan he should be wearing? Thank you for any help.

Here is a good article for general background.

http://www.albanach.org/choosing.html

[NeightRG]

Of course, there's another approach to figuring out what tartan you should be wearing - look at a bunch of them, and decide which one you like the most.
Have you ever not bought a plaid shirt because the pattern wasn't tied to your family?

[Mr.Charles Anthony]

Alaska Randy-Readers:
As to a Great Kilt-which I oft wear- it takes a bit of work & practice to get it right. Check thru this Forum, we have had some good info on this item. Bear in mind also, it is a bit of a hassel to wear in this century(think publick mens' room- airport security &tc) but with practice, it can be worn, full time, in lieu of the 'fussy Victorian' circa 2012 kilt that is considered 'de rigiour'( I think that is the spelling).Therefore, find your Tartan, buy just 4 yards(unless you are a size 50, then 6 or so would be in order) of 60in wide (+or-) wool, print off the advice you have-see Espc. Mr Newsomes website-grab a belt, a lump of wool fabrick, and PRACTICE at home, till you get it right. Then wear it out & about.
Oh, send us some Pictures of you in it- and let us give you some more kind assistance. That is what we are all here for.
Have Fun
CSA

[Sir Didymous]

Just curious, I have recently taken to wearing kilts. First for reenactment, then my wife has become rather fond and thus modern. The Modern kilt is fairly easy going, but the belted plaid for my Circa 1600 portrayal is giving me some issues. I have added a drawstring to help with the pleating, and putting it on is becoming easier. The problem I'm having is just how to get in the minivan with the thing. For lower cars and such it is simply a matter of sit (with legs out the door) and turn, but in vans and some trucks it's not so easy to avoid showing more than I care to. So does anyone have any advice, or is it just a matter of figuring it out?

[Chas]

Just curious, I have recently taken to wearing kilts. First for reenactment, then my wife has become rather fond and thus modern. The Modern kilt is fairly easy going, but the belted plaid for my Circa 1600 portrayal is giving me some issues. I have added a drawstring to help with the pleating, and putting it on is becoming easier. The problem I'm having is just how to get in the minivan with the thing. For lower cars and such it is simply a matter of sit (with legs out the door) and turn, but in vans and some trucks it's not so easy to avoid showing more than I care to. So does anyone have any advice, or is it just a matter of figuring it out?

For historical accuracy, your shirt-tails should be long enough to tie between your legs - as they did in the 1600s.

or

Wear a pair of underpants till you get to the re-enactment site and then remove them.

Regards

Chas