This got me to thinking about adding a great kilt to my small collection.
Then I found out how much the fabric was. Yow. The downside to Poly Viscose is you get spoiled by the inexpensive nature of the fabric and it makes it very hard indeed to swallow the price of decent wool.
I wonder if it would not be a good idea to have the pleats sewn into it. I've laid out the tartan and have had a fairly successful attempt at donning the kilt...but, it does seem to be an awful lot of fabric, even for as big as I am.
What do you think of having the pleats sewn in. I'm not too sure I would like it a whole lot. I've heard of this being done, but what do ya'll think?
There is historic precedent for having the pleats stitched in, also little loops and a drawstring.
Matt Newsome - a kiltmaker member of this forum - can do either job for you.
Still think 7 yds is a bit more than you need...!
Brian
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." ~ Benjamin Franklin
The great kilts from "Celtic Croft" in their "homespun" wool are pretty reasonable in price. Their link is at the top of this page...!
Hmmm yes that they are. I probably need one a wee bit bigger than what's in her shopping cart (I'm a big boy) but based on the pricing chart there it would be affordable.
I noticed the homespun wool is a lot less expensive than the machine made fabric... I would think it would be the other way around. Is it a super-light fabric that is going to expose me every time the wind blows? Wondering what makes it so inexpensive.
I'm 6'2" and 250 lb and I think 4 yards would be plenty of fabric for me. You don't need to copy the pleating in the little kilt. Just pleat it enough to gather up the extra material. You'll likely never need to use the fabric as a highlander used to, except to wear it, so sewing in the pleats will save you a lot of hassle down the road, and speed up getting dressed. If you're going to wear the great kilt, try to make it a priority to get a kilt shirt. Something like a nightshirt that's about knee length. You'll be more comfortable and the 2 really go together if you're after any kind of historical accuracy (why else would you wear a great kilt?)
The great kilt is not a costume. More men should wear them. They have an air of dignity and greatness about them. And they should be perfectly acceptable as common dress.
I want one. Would even wear one made of PV. Still saving.
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