Greatkilt Question

[Mithral]

I actually had a professor in college that (during a reading of Beowulf) tried to tell the class that round about the eighth century (or whenever the story was set) they wore plate armor that weighted 400 lbs, and in her next breath told us that their textile technology was very primitive so they wore mostly animal skins for clothes. I didn't have the patience at the time to get into it with her, so I just shook my head in disbelief.

Mein Gott!

It always saddens me when educators get so badly outta whack with their info. Personally, if I'm going to talk about something as part of a presentation or what have you, I research the hell out of it. But then... I actually like reading history books.
BTW, Matt, I picked up your book on early highland dress a Ymir this year and it was a great help to me. Thanks much.

As far as the great kilt goes, no you don't have to do any sewing, just pleat it up and belt it on. Since I'm generally wearing my belted plaid for SCA events, I don't even really bother with the precise folding either, just kinda bunch it up and belt it on. Still looks great too.

[Caradoc]

As far as the great kilt goes, no you don't have to do any sewing, just pleat it up and belt it on. Since I'm generally wearing my belted plaid for SCA events, I don't even really bother with the precise folding either, just kinda bunch it up and belt it on. Still looks great too.

It's also easy to pleat it up over one's shoulder, put the belt on, then pull the aprons around to the front depending on how cold it is.

Since the belted plaid is worn over a shirt that hangs to about knee length anyway, one is "covered" even without the plaid wrapped all the way around.

[Tiran]

Like furry celt, I have worn more belted plaids than actual kilts. Most of mine weren't wool, so finding full width was easy enough. I tended to use pv in any tartan looking pattern, liking the lighter weight for summer events. I rarely pulled it over my head, but I could carry a sixpack in the side pouch without anyone being able to tell.

The youtube instrutional video I thought was pretty good. The are quite clean instructions and match up with my personal experience except at the end there. Instead of taking one section up over the shoulder and tucking it in in the front, bring the other side around front and pin them together near the shoulder.

I also cheated and stiched the pleats in place (just a quick line, not pleat by pleat) so I didnt have to redo it every time. I could also get dressed in a dummy dome, on occasion in the dark in someone else's tent ;) It was easier to to get dressed standing up if the top sections were still pinned.

[Mithral]

It's also easy to pleat it up over one's shoulder, put the belt on, then pull the aprons around to the front depending on how cold it is.

Since the belted plaid is worn over a shirt that hangs to about knee length anyway, one is "covered" even without the plaid wrapped all the way around.

S'truth, I've recently started experimenting with putting it on standing up. It takes a little practice, but I'm pleased with the results.