Short yardage tank?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I don't know that I'm the only one making a hand sewn 5 yard knife pleated kilt, but there certainly aren't many out there. Most of the major kilt making firms will offer either a "full eight yard" typical kilt, and a "casual kilt" of some variety with less yardage that will almost invariably be machine sewn.

I really specialize in the four yard box pleated kilts. That's what I first learned how to make, that's what most of the kilts I have made have been, and that's what I really enjoy making. However, I started to offer the 5 yard knife pleated kilts simply because some people were attracted to the idea of a kilt with less yardage, but they preferred knife pleating to box pleating. And they didn't want a machine made kilt. Why shouldn't these people be able to get the kind of kilt they want?

Why do I use 5 yards instead of 4? In my opinion, 5 yards is about the minimum you need (for an average sized man) to get a decent looking knife pleat and still be able to pleat to the stripe (given the average sett repeat of most heavy weight tartans).

~M

[Kid Cossack]

Why shouldn't these people be able to get the kind of kilt they want?


~M

EXACTLY!

Actually, the reason I was asking if anyone else made such a hand-sewn, sixteen ounce five(ish) yard kilt was because, umm, err, I'd rather buy your box pleated kilts!

I figure that it's always better to go with the "house specialty" (so to speak).

[O'Neille]

I have a couple skimpy tanks that are on the 5-6 yard range and absolutely love them when it is hot out. I also have a couple wool/PV blends that are both handsewns that behave very good and I've used for many occasions. I like the slim lines of them for day wear. Like you said I think the proof is in the material used. If it doesn't have considerable weight and swish it doesn't even come close to a tank.

[Kid Cossack]

I have a couple skimpy tanks that are on the 5-6 yard range and absolutely love them when it is hot out. I also have a couple wool/PV blends that are both handsewns that behave very good and I've used for many occasions. I like the slim lines of them for day wear. Like you said I think the proof is in the material used. If it doesn't have considerable weight and swish it doesn't even come close to a tank.

I've got some of the short yardage kilts, mostly in what we think of as "casual" material---a Farquharson PV from USAK, the Utilikilts, three PKs (desert and forest MARPAT, flannel lined denim) and so on. Now that I've got the wool kilts, I'm starting to understand what the "wool buzz" was all about.

I'm still intrigued by a wool blend short yardage, either box or knife; maybe it will be enough encouragement to break out the sewing machine.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I figure that it's always better to go with the "house specialty" (so to speak).

You're not going to get any argument from me there!
:-)
M