Amount of material for a Great Kilt?

**turpin** · 9th January 07, 09:22 PM

Here is an excellent reference for amount, care, putting on, and wearing the great kilt.

http://www.ealdormere.sca.org/univer...reatkilt.shtml

**McMurdo** · 9th January 07, 09:32 PM

Very nice pic McWage, and thanks Caradoc and Turpin for the links, man I love the info you can get on this forum even if you dont ask there it is, thanks again.

**MacWage** · 10th January 07, 03:56 AM

Sorry I didn't respond sooner (I was sleeping).

Turpin's referenced instructions are the "classic" was most do it. The truth is that NO ONE KNOWS how it was "historically" done. Like tying shoes, everyone knew how to do it, do no one wrote it down. When the kilt replaced the BP, the knowledge was lost. All we have are illustrations. The "classic" way produces someting VERY simiar.

You can also add beltloops to aid the process, as in:
http://albanach.org/drawstring.htm

There are also numerous other ways people "aid" in putting it on.
The one in the pic (because I ONLY had 3.5 yards of the material) is actually stitched, with a straight line of thread running along the waist holding the pleats togther. I was concerned about stretching the material as much as possible (in theory it should save a bit per "hand pleat" to make up for the missing 1/2 yard I WISH was there.

I got the material at a fabric/reenactment store and am not sure IF it is a "named" tartan or a "bumbee." Still, I like it and think it goes well with "modern" ecroutments.
The jacket is my FIRST attempt at a "kilt jacket" about a decade ago. While it looks good, I wish it was a tad longer. I still wear it. It looks better with a tailored kilt!

**PiobBear** · 10th January 07, 07:36 AM

Mine's 6 yards in a free sett; I hand pleat it and put it on in pretty much the same manner as already discussed. I take the plaid of the inner apron, twist it, and tuck the tail underneath my belt at the back, bring the plaid of the outer apron up in front and over my right shoulder, and pull the plaid from the pleats up in back, over the tail of the outer apron's plaid, and pin it with a penannular brooch. The apron and most of the pleats are visible, and my sporran and dirk accessible. Among other things, this provides several voluminous "pockets", and in inclement weather I can unfasten the plaid and wrap it over my head. Mine's too heavy to pin to my shirt, and I haven't a singlet or doublet to pin it to (and in Florida probably wouldn't wear it anyway, even if I had one).

**GunnHighlander** · 10th January 07, 08:04 AM

Thanks so much for all your replies, and sound advice.

Pax,
J.T. Nelson

**David White** · 11th January 07, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Caradoc

Four-and-a-half to five yards of 60" wide cloth will do.

I've heard from a couple of sources that the "nine yards" reference comes from taking nine yards of 30" wide and sewing one long seam to make it 4.5 yards x 60".

Correct I do believe. More than enough.

**ardchoille77** · 15th January 07, 08:27 AM

As I was told, it depends on the girth of the man. The bigger you are, the more material you need. Most guys use 5-6 yards for a great kilt, but if you are bigger than that, you need to call your kilt company and tell them what your hips are, and they can advise you on how much material you need. Your 11 ounce material is probably 59-61 inches wide, and the 13 ounce is probably 54-60 inches wide. You want to make sure you have enough material and width in your tartan, because you are wrapping it around you. The people I have found best to answer these questions is: Alex Cameron of the Wild Highlanders in Tampa, Florida. They know alot about the great kilt, and also make weapons for you like the Lochaber Axe,etc. Speak to either Alex or Scott. Their number is: (813) 854-5611 or visit their website at:www.wildhighlanders.com

Mike