Got 18 yards!

[Brasilikilt]

Hey all

I went to get my wool fabric today. Instead of getting a measly 4.5 yards for just one feilidh-mhor, I went ahead and got the whole 9 yards. Literally!
While I was at it, I decided I might as well get a bolt of the Black watch fabric as well.
The really nice thing is that it's all 100% Pendleton wool woven at their mill down the river from me!

One bolt of fabric is a non tartan plaid pattern.
It has some really nice light and dark blue and brown base colors with red and light yellow stripes. I really like it actually, and will suit me well for reenactment purposes.

I already cut this down from 9 yards to 4.5 and already tried wrapping it as a great kilt on myself......definitely a process you need to practice a while until you get the right look.....
It also helps if you don't have to work around your livingroom furniture as your wife stands there and makes fun of you :-)

Now........I'm starting to wonder about getting some tailored kilts made from this fabric.....hmmmmm

I will send pics when the right opportunity pops up

take care everyone

[O'Neille]

I'd like to see pictures when you get a chance. How does pendleton wool pleat up in a standard kilt? I've looked at some before but never took the plunge. I've got some Black Watch on Hand that is wool P/V and about to become my first handsewn by me. O'Neille

[David Dalglish]

Wool Wool, its lovely stuff, Keep us us informed to what you make out of it

[Blu (Ontario)]

Admittedly, the great kilt is something I've never had occassion to try. In the right setting I think they look good. Not something you do in a quick change situation though.

[Andrew Green]

Yeah, not having to work around a bunch of stuff IS a definite plus. Black Watch would make a good choice for re-enacting early the early regimental period too. You should post up some pics of the brown based tartans... I think these look quite good myself, as a general rule. I like many of the weathered patterns on www.thescottishweaver.com because they have a lot of brown and grey in them. Could just be me... Have fun!

[Mark Keeney]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I have been looking for information on making a great kilt without much luck. I have seen all kinds of information on how to wear one but making one is not mentioned. I think it can't be real difficult, but not having seen one in person I have a couple of questions.

1. What is the best length for a great kilt?

2. Do you hem the ends or do a fringe?

Thanks.

[Andrew Green]

Well, you don't really "make" a belted plaid...you just sort of put it on. Anywhere from 4.5 yards to 6 yards of double width cloth 54"-60" wide or so should work. This is from my many questions and research. You lay it out, pleat it by hand, lay down on it, wrap it around yourself, and belt it on. Then you arrange what's above your belt however you see fit. That's pretty much the long and short of it.

[Brasilikilt]

Hey Mark

Don't worry about hijacking the thread because I would like to open up the topic of great kilts.

About "making" a great kilt, the beauty of it is, there is no making involved, all you need is a length of tartan fabric at least 4.5 yards long which I have found is PLENTY!
The thing is back in the day, the standard looms only wove cloth that was 25"-30" wide. So the practice was to take a 9 yard length, cut it in half and sew it together lengthwise to produce a peice of cloth 50"-60" wide and 4.5 yards long, hence the phrase "The whole 9 yards"

The wool I bought is already 60" wide (standard width nowadays), and came in bolts (rolls) of 9 yards.

Here are some links to show the most common methods of wrapping a great kilt

http://www.lindaclifford.com/GreatKiltWrap.html

http://www.garbtheworld.com/pgs/foldkilt.html

http://www.kalani.net/KiltPleatingB.html

This last guy's method seems a little off to me, but I'll include it here for demonstrative purposes, as no one really KNOWS for certain how the old timers wrapped up their kilts

http://www.brotherguido.com/Greatkilt/Default.htm

After reading all of this, I still can't figure out a good way to do the upper half of my kilt in the standard 'over one shoulder, under one arm' style

All the descriptions say "Find the corners. pull them over your shoulder and pin them" Well, it isn't working well for me, so there's obviously something I'm missing here. Anyone care to jump in???

Hope this helps

Iain

[davezero]

Thank you...... Very informative. You'll have post pics of that brown plaid it seems several of us are interested in seeing it.

[Brasilikilt]

Okay, so I got off my rump and snuck a few pics with my wife's highly prized digicam.

Here's a pic of the tartan which is obviously more a mixture of light/dark blue as well as brown with the red and yellow stripes. I like it a lot and consider myself lucky to have snagged it when I did.
If it is or closely resembles any established clan or other kind of tartan, please let me know.




And here's a pic of the Good 'ol Black Watch tartan fabric I also purchased.




The plan is to keep 4.5 yards of each for a great kilt, and with any luck use the remaining fabric for 2 standard 9 yard tailored kilts if possible