Clergy Green

[Prester John]

Hey all

As a clergyman, I am interested in getting a kilt in "Clergy Green" (probably ancient). My wife gave me a scarf in that tartan, probably from the Scottish Lion, some time ago, and I love the tartan. It looks much nicer, to me, than the Clergy (blue) tartan, even in the ancient colors.

HOWEVER, in all other sources and places, it sure seems scarce and hard to find.

Any suggestions?

If not, Sportkilts Clergy Ancient may be my only option. Not that that is a bad option, just not what I am looking for.

Thanks in advance.

[Cawdorian]

You can still reach Scottish Lion at www.scottishlion.com, they were purchased by Little Scotland and have a wider selection of tartans now, you can also try Matt Newsome at www.scottishtartans.org or www.scottishcrofters.com. www.scotchcorner.com (across the pond) has a very wide selection of 13 oz. tartans and gives really good service, you just have to convert their prices from pounds to dollars at today's exchange rates.

Some of the other forum participants had good luck with several other traditional kilt makers. I sure they will have some other suggestions as the day goes on.

Jim

[macwilkin]

Ditto the recommendation for Matt Newsome; also I would recommend two Canadian kilt makers:

htttp://www.hector-russell.ca (Hector Russell's Toronto Branch)

http://www.burnetts-struth.com/ (Burnett & Struth)

Cheers,

Todd

[Blu (Ontario)]

... Sportkilts Clergy Ancient may be my only option. Not that that is a bad option...

It's not a good one!... (be afraid... be very afraid!)

[Archangel]

I have a sportkilt. It's not a kilt like you're after. It's good for what it's intended: portable change room; not walking around in bicycle shorts. I had hoped I could wear it out the house but it's not that good and I've got pretty low taste.
Hold out until somebody here finds you one worth investing in.

[Lee]

I'd like to second the recommendation of the two Canadian kiltmakers mentioned. I have purchased kilts from both, and they're top-notch.

Lee

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Prestor John,

First, you may be interested in reading some information I have put together about the Clergy tartan here from my blog:
http://blog.albanach.org/2005/07/clergy-tartan.html

Second, off the top of my head, I know I can get the blue Clergy tartan in modern, ancient, and muted colors in a kilt weight cloth, but the only source of cloth for Clergy green I know of is in a tie-weight (much too light for a kilt). I can double check this when I get in to work this morning and can look through my various supplier's listings. I might find a source for you.

Barring that, I can always have cloth woven for you in whatever tartan you want. So if you want Clergy green, ancient colors, and no mill is weaving it, I can get it done. The cost of the fabric is $65 per yard, and it is single width (28" wide). It's heavy weight kilt cloth, really great stuff. My reccomendation, if you want to go this route, is to get a 4-yard kilt as opposed to an 8-yard kilt. Since the cloth is costing more, this will make the kilt more affordable. A 4-yard box pleated kilt would cost $480 (assuming hips under 46"). You can get more info here:
http://kilts.albanach.org/

I'll double check on that cloth later today for you. Email me if you are interested in more.
Aye,
Matt

[Prester John]

Thanks Matt

But I think if I am going to plunk down enough for a Clergy Green Ancient, I want the whole shmeer. How much would you estimate for an 8 yd kilt in Clergy Green Ancient?

For that matter, maybe I can go in with some other clergymen and lower the price of the fabric? Is that even possible?

[chasem]

Matt, as far as I know, only makes 4 yd box pleated kilts. He may still be able to help you out as far as where the tartan goes, but I don't think he makes 8 yd kilts. I'm sure he, or others here, could refer you to others who do though. (Kathy Lare at Kathy's Kilts for example)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

John,

Ok, I did find one mill that makes the Clergy Green in a kilt weight, but it is the Clergy Green modern and it is in 11.5 oz weight (light kilt weight). This weight is too light for a 4-yard kilt but will do ok for an 8-yard kilt.

As chasem stated, I don't make 8-yard kilts personally. There are plenty of fine kilt makers who do that. I specialize in the early-nineteenth century style of box pleated kilt that was made from 4 yards of cloth.

If you wanted the more standard 8-yard knife pleated kilt, there are a couple of ways to go:
1. If you want the Clergy green modern, in the light kilt weight, I'd have the mill who supplies the cloth make up the kilt for you (most major woolen mills also employ kilt makers). Cost (assuming your hip measure is 46" or less) would be $495.
2. If you want the Clergy green in the ancient colors, this would still need to be special woven. I can get it woven in heavy or medium weight, but the cost difference is negligible, so I would say go for the heavy. Cost is $65 per yard, plus $220 for tailoring. So, for a 4-yard box pleated kilt from me, that would be $480. If you wanted an 8-yard knife pleated kilt, you could still purchase the cloth through me ($65 x 8 = $520) and I would refer you to another kilt maker who offers that service that would charge about the same as I do for tailoring (so that would make the total $740). See why I recommend the 4-yard for custom weaves? :-)

If you order a minimum of 30 yards the mill will produce the cloth in double width at the same price, which effectively cuts the price in half. (Your cloth will be 54" wide instead of 28" wide, meaning you would only need to use 2 yards in a 4 yard kilt, or 4 yards in an 8 yard kilt, etc.).

Again, feel free to call or email me for more info.
Aye,
Matt