Kilt Kamp 2019 Traditional course information

[Barb T]

Hi all! Barb Tewksbury here. I'm the instructor for the traditional track of Kilt Kamp 2019. Whether you've sewn a lot but never made a kilt, made kilts before but want to try a different style, or never picked up a needle, I will teach you how to make a hand-sewn kilt by traditional methods. Here is some info to help you decide whether you want to make a trad kilt or a contemporary one (see Steve's thread for info on that). If you choose to register for the trad track, I'll send you detailed information on what you'll actually need for KK.

Fabric: Traditional kiltmaking methods work best with fabric woven specifically kilts, which is a worsted wool in twill weave. Most people choose kilting tartan, although a few solid colors are available from mills that weave kilting tartan. Heavy weight tweed (e.g., Harris tweed) also makes a fabulous traditional kilt.

Style: You can choose from a number of different styles of traditional kilt, which I've illustrated in the diagram and pics below. I've also included a couple of additional options that are sewn with traditional methods but that fit a bit differently.



Traditional knife pleated kilt: 8 yards ±, depending on the size of the person. This style of kilt is what most people think of as "a kilt", and it's what Highland dancers and most pipe bands wear. May be pleated to the sett (Highland Granite, far right), stripe (Antarctica), or "no-stripe" (Scottish Wildcat, below center)




Traditional box pleated kilt: 4 yards ±. This is the most traditional of kilt styles, dating from the end of the 1700s. Scottish Odyssey tartan below.



Traditional Kingussie kilt: 6 yards ±. This style dates from the early 1800s and has a central box pleat with knife pleats facing away from the central box pleat. Pic from KK a few years ago - Hudson Bay Company tartan - hhastings, Barb T, and Okiwen.



Traditional reverse Kingussie kilt: 5-8 yards. This style has a central inverted box pleat and knife pleats facing toward the center back. Scottish Wildcat Tartan below (contrast with same tartan under knife pleats above!!).



Traditional methods but non-traditional fit: Traditional methods can be used to make a kilt with a lower rise and a different length. Below, you'll see pics of a Kingussie kilt that I made for my daughter who was awash in traditional-fit kilts (she's a piper and a Highland dancer) and wanted something built like a kilt but with a dropped waist and a longer length. The second pic shows a similar lower waist, but a shorter length (and a toddler kilt to go with it, see below). Ignore the basting stitches on the two kilts at right! Hudson Bay Company (left) and Rose Nisbet (right).



Baby/toddler kilt: This is also an option, although it's quite a quick process, and you'd probably want to plan to make something else in addition. Both kilts below are PV, which is essential for little ones because it's not itchy and it's machine washable!!