Quote Originally Posted by James MacMillan View Post
I know that I want my finished length of my personal kilts to be 23 1/2 inches long. From the very top edge to the very bottom edge.
But whether a 23 1/2" overall length actually _fits_ properly or not depends on how much of a rise the kiltmaker added when he/she made the kilt. You cannot assume that each kiltmaker will add the same amount of rise. A properly made kilt with a 2.5" rise will touch the knee at _exactly_ the same point that a properly made kilt with a 2" or even a 1" rise does. That's because a properly made kilt should be smallest in circumference at the _waist_, not at the top. Once a kilt is buckled on, it will ride at your waist, with the rise above and the rest of the kilt below.

I've made two kilts for Turpin, one with a 2" rise and one with a 2.5" rise (at his request). One has an overall length 1/2" longer than the other, but they both touch his knee at exactly the same point.

So, I concur with Rocky. You absolutely _must_ know how your kiltmaker uses measurements. When I make a kilt, I don't want to know how long your favorite kilt is overall. I want to know what the distance is between the center of the waist buckle and the bottom of your favorite kilt. That way, I know that I can make a kilt that will fit the way your favorite one does in terms of length, even if it's not the same overall in length.

Barb