Considering a Feilidh-beag

[AllenJ]

Is it just me or do the pleats on this box pleat look way too wide?
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Kilts/phillabegs.html

[Andrew Green]

They do look a bit wide... but it might have to do with the tartan that was chosen for the garment. I am leaning towards getting it unpleated...so that would entail pleating it each time before wearing it. Not as pretty perhaps, but likely to be the more historical method of donning the little kilt. I was thinking of permanent box pleats initially...just cause I like the look of hte pleating...but from further research, the feilidh beag was worn in a similar fashion to the belted plaid...which would = no permanent pleats.

[Woodsheal]

Is it just me or do the pleats on this box pleat look way too wide?
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Kilts/phillabegs.html

Not really. Consider the wide pleats on this period image of belted plaids:



...And this philabeg from the 1770's. Note that the wide boxpleats are the full circumference of the kilt, not just the rear:

[Cinnabar]

I don't have any historical info but I just wanted to say I've ordered several items from CC (not kilts) and always had good customer service from them. I hope that helps your decision.

[Andrew Green]

Well, I sort of have made up my mind to give them a try... I am just trying to figure out how they measure the 'beag. Whether it is from the naval to the knee (and the belt overhand would be calculated by them), or the navel to the knee + some overlap (which would be calculated by you). Lorie said "Pantswaist" but that is a bit different for everyone it seems. I wear my pants very differently than I wear kilts (pants around the hips, kilts up on the natural waist, where your pants are supposed to go), so I have some clarifying of measurment methods to still do.

[Cinnabar]

Good luck with the kilt. I've always seen them in their catalog and wondered. I look forward to seeing how your's looks but I'm sure it will look great.

[Andrew Green]

Alright, I ordered...and after reviewing some of what I was told through email, the measurement of the kilt length is done from the waist, to the middle of the knee... apparently the overlap is determined by the company. I included instructions to contact me if this belief was not accurate.
I ordered it in Ulster Red... it's just a really nice tartan pattern, and from what I have read, pretty old. So, if I do anything in re-enactment groups (which is something I would like to learn more about), I better dress the dandy! I'll post a mild review once I receive this item.

Also got my fabric for a belted plaid today (one of two), and it is niice. I just need to hem the edges (I know a couple people handy w/ a sewing machine), and it's good to go. Got that from the Tartan Museum... it was on back order, so I had to wait a little to get it...worth the wait though!

[Roan Carter]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I am really curious what you are thinking of the Ulster Red phillabeg. I was eyeing the same tartan as my ancestors came from Ulster, and I was most curious how you felt about the homespun wool.