Your first kilt

[usonian]

I've been reflecting on this as I near completion on my first traditional, wool tartan kilt; I've been trying to get it finished in time for an event this weekend so there's some pressure there, but I'm also realizing that this is the culmination of my first vague idea that a kilt would be a cool thing to have. That was about 20 years ago in high school... but knowing how expensive a traditionally made wool kilt is, and lacking any perceived context in which to wear one, I didn't think about it much over the years.

When I learned to weave in college I learned a few things about tartans, but really it wasn't until last year that my interest was rekindled in earnest. I had one of those "You know what? I'm a grown up and if I want to do X I can do it, or at least look into it!" moments after attending an installation of officers at a Masonic lodge where most of the officers being installed were kilted.

Shopping around online for kilts led me here, which is where I learned about Barb's book, which led to buying some tartan yardage and slowly acquiring accessories while making a practice denim kilt (a good exercise which helped me avoid many mistakes on #2) and now the wool tartan one. As I come down the home stretch there's 20 years' worth of delayed gratification making it awfully hard not to just lock myself in a room until I finish.

Of course, when I finish I'm going to look at the calendar and think that I might have just enough time to shorten a jacket for the weekend too!

[cb750kman]

My name is Ken . I'm a kilt addict.
Abandon hope all who kilt once thinking thats it.

[OC Richard]

For whatever reason I became enamoured with the bagpipes and the history of the Scottish regiments and such while in High School in the 1970s. I listened to the two or three bagpipe albums my Dad had over and over, and I began pestering him to get me some pipes. I really wanted kilts too. So my first kilt "jonesing" was connected to an intense desire to play the pipes.

Finally in 1975 my Dad granted my wish and got me my first set of pipes. My thought was "I've got the pipes now I need a kilt!"

I went down to a local fabric shop and got some plaid wool and my Grandmother made my first kilt. We had never seen a kilt up close and we didn't have a very clear idea of how the thing was made. I suppose it was more of a plaid wool skirt than a "kilt".

She also made my second kilt, out of actual Scottish-made tartan fabric, around 1976. By this time I had seen some kilts in person and had a clearer idea of their construction. But we still didn't know about the internal construction, about cutting out the pleats or putting in a stabiliser.

Here it is! My 2nd kilt, made by my Grandmother from actual MacDonald of the Isles Hunting tartan. I fringed and pleated the full plaid. The doublet started out as a navy blue suit that I bought at a thrift shop. The pants were cut up to provide the fabric for the cuffs, shells, epaulettes, and tashes. I did it all myself by hand, the contruction of the standup collar, all the piping and trim, etc.

Photo probably taken in 1977. Note that I'm wearing not only a dirk but also a sword!

[Baldybrown]

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...tfulldress.jpg

I am beyond impressed! Great work and photo.

[thescot]

Much like dea3369, I spent lots of time making sure the measurements were correct, the swatches were the ones I wanted, the details were all right. My gosh, I was spending a fortune, and I was in fear that it wasn't right. (I didn't realize that small variations in tailoring make no difference. I was thinking of woodwork and cabnetry where a small fraction would screw up everything!)

And when that bad boy arrived--after weeks of waiting--it fit well and looked as good as I'd hoped. It's still a great kilt these many years after, and it is still my favorite, a Robertson Hunting from House of Edgar. But the initial concern and worry was quite troublesome. I'd never heard of "jonsing" either, but I certainly experienced a bit of anxiety.

[Laird_M]

I scrimped and saved to get enough money for my first kilt. Placed an order for a stock kilt, with plenty of time for Burns Night.

I waited, and waited, and waited, finally got fed up and contacted the supplier.
They had my money but now trace in the system of my order...

They promised to ship it by courier. So I waited, and waited, and waited...

Finally on January 25th my kilt arrived!
Just in time for the session I was runnign for our cubs.

[AKMAC55]

I wasn't planning to respond to many posts as I just joined XMTS myself - but after only 3 years (or so) of "sitting on the fence", just ordered the same kilt as you did except in a 13oz tartan.

My experience is overload - I can't purchase the most expensive accessories, but don't want cheap machine made junk either. It's difficult identifying good middle of the road handmade accessories. Ah well, who needs sleep when I can surf the interwebs for the one and only perfect purchase!

Well as I just ordered my first kilt (Done and dusted!) I was wondering what other XMTS members have gone through on their first Jones.

I spent a long time sitting on the fence, but I finally got there! MacDonald Clanranald Modern Colours in 8-yards of 16oz. Whole kit and caboodle. Did anyone say keen?