U.S. Army Tartan Tewksbury...Redux

**longhuntr74** · 30th December 11, 11:31 AM

Back in 2010, a very close friend of mine commissioned Barb Tewksbury to make me a kilt in the U.S. Army Tartan. This kilt is my "formal" tank that gets worn for all dressy kilt affairs, nights out on the town, and for day wear on occasion (though my regimental weight Black Watch tartan kilt is my usual "go to" for casual day wear, hiking, etc). This kilt is one of my prized possessions!!

I recently encountered a problem, however. I lost about 25 lbs in the past 6 months and now weigh about 12 lbs less than I did when I measured for the kilt. My waist has shrunk about 2 inches...which doesn't seem much...but I was already on the first hole in the straps. When I wore the kilt on Thanksgiving Day, I noticed that I had spent the whole day hiking my kilt back up where it belonged...which told me that I needed to tighten up the waist a bit.

Since I needed to relocate some buckles...I decided to do some customization while I was at it. Those that know me well know that I have a propensity to "modify" things to make them my own...and I guess that's what I've done here.

Before I proceed with pictures, I want to insert a disclaimer here that there was no NEED to make any changes to this kilt. Barb does top notch work...and this kilt was no exception!!! I post this thread hesitantly, as I hope that she isn't offended by the changes I have made to one of her artworks...but as she has become a personal friend of mine, I don't think she will be.

So without further ado, I present my U.S. Army tartan Tewksbury tank...redux edition.

First I removed the liners, kilt straps, and buckles. While I had it "open," I added two more rows of pad stitching across the back part of the canvas. Barb had put in 4 rows of stitching...which, if memory serves, is what the TAoK prescribes. I added two more rows...just because I could.

Then I replaced the plain black straps with the thick knot-work embossed straps that R-Kilts makes (I had purchased three sets about 18 months ago...used two sets and had one remaining).

I made new tabs for the buckles out of the cutout scraps of tartan that Barb provided to me with the kilt. This was necessary due to the need to align the stripe with the back of the kilt in a new location. I added a piece of hair canvas inside these tabs...which is not prescribed in TAoK, but is a tip I picked up from another kiltmaker somewhere here on XMTS and makes sense to me.

Next, I adopted Paul Henry's technique of using unique fabrics as linings, rather than plain black or white. I was originally looking for a fabric in black that had US Army logos all over it, but didn't really find anything that tickled my fancy. Then I came across this fabric online with recruiting graphics from all of the services on it (WWII era I believe) and a bunch of other military patriotic images. I really liked it, so I ordered it from an online vendor. Pics of the new lining installed (with and without flash...not sure which shows better).

And finally...even with all the changes I have made to the kilt "trimmings"...I felt obliged to replace this tag!

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out...hope you like it too.

**Paul Henry** · 30th December 11, 11:41 AM

Looking very good,and thanks for the name check! I think there is something really nice to have a special lining in a special kilt, it doesn't really cost very much extra in the price of a complete kilt, and really makes the kilt very personal.

**creagdhubh** · 30th December 11, 11:58 AM

Well done Sir!!!!

**Panache** · 30th December 11, 01:34 PM

Nice work Jeff! You will be wearing this yo our Nor Cal Rabble Burns Night Supper?

Cheers

Jamie

**McMurdo** · 30th December 11, 01:47 PM

Wow, that is great stuff, congratulations on the weight loss as well.

**Spartan Tartan** · 30th December 11, 02:30 PM

Very well done. I LOVE the custom lining you put in...you just gave me an idea for my Navy heavy weight kilt

Of course, it will be a rather long time before I can afford another hand sewn heavy weight kilt.

Not to be OT, but what ever happened to that jacket you were working on? I remember you doing your own braiding and everything...

**piperdbh** · 30th December 11, 05:40 PM

So the peacocks have scared 25 pounds off of you, huh?

The kilt looks good. I'm sure it's a hit in Monterey.

**NeightRG** · 30th December 11, 07:27 PM

Looks great and all, but how do you think Uncle Sam feels about being there? ;-)

**longhuntr74** · 30th December 11, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

Not to be OT, but what ever happened to that jacket you were working on? I remember you doing your own braiding and everything...

Funny you should ask, Spartan. It had to get put on the back burner for the second half of the last academic quarter. Now that Christmas is over and I have gotten my tank back in serviceable order, I plan to get back to that project. I have another week or so before starting back to school and I will be finishing that up...hopefully. My goal is to have it done by the Burns Supper that Panache referenced (January 21st)...I will post more pics when I have some to share!

Originally Posted by NeightRG

Looks great and all, but how do you think Uncle Sam feels about being there? ;-)

Forget about him! How do I feel about having his finger there?!?!