Review Wally Catanach kilt #6

[James MacMillan]

On the acknowledgements page of Barbara Tewksbury’s second edition of “The Art of Kiltmaking” our own ChattanCat is thanked for his contributions. Wally Catanach is a rising star in the custom kilt arena.

I am the proud owner of a Wally Catanach, custom made, hand sewn kilt. This is the sixth kilt that Wally has made, and I honestly don’t know how he could improve on his craftsmanship. Catanach #6 is mine, and all kilt wearers should be jealous.

His outside stitches are invisible and the precise construction is superb. He constructed the kilt from fabric that I supplied him that I have had sitting around for a couple of years waiting to find the right kiltmaker. Exhausting research revealed that the tartan was an un-named “fashion” tartan that I have named “Light Grey Leatherneck Urban Warfare tartan number 16.” It’s a Wool/Poly mix and probably around 14 oz weight.

Wally took this fabric and worked magic. The only things I provided were my measurements and pleating choices. Wally e-mailed me several pleating choice options, and because I like kilts pleated to stripe, I chose the option you see.

The kilt is made entirely by hand in the traditional style taught by Barbara’s book(Wally doesn’t own a sewing machine.) It has a lining that is sewn down in back and floats on the sides and front, two high quality cast buckles with supple but thick leather, and 37 pleats. The pleat depth is 1 ¼” and the reveal is ¾”. There is a deep final pleat and an equally deep reverse pleat, and double row of fringe on the right apron edge. No belt loops were added as neither a third buckle, and I don’t miss them. As has been said on this forum many times “It truly is built like a tank.”

Out of the box it had three rows of basting with one at the extreme bottom edge. He added an interesting celtic knot design in the center inside back, which I hope you can see in the flix. When I first tried it on, we discovered that my particular body shape made the skirt flare too extreme, and we decided that I send it back for adjustments. Unfortunately these are problems that must be endured when the customer is unable to have a personal fitting. I do not fault Wally in this required adjustment, but some peculiarity to my body that isn’t evident with common measurements.

On the second go around, the changes that Wally made make it fit perfectly.

If any of our clan can talk Wally into making them a kilt, I know that you will be satisfied. I should also say that Wally doesn’t make kilts for a main business, but more for the love of kilting. (He already has more fabric and a check from me for my second Catanach kilt.)

The next set of flix should be self explanatory.

[McMurdo]

James
That looks Awesome, I'll admit it I'm Green with envy, congratulations.

[rickmac15]

I really like that kilt

[James MacMillan]

Thanks to Wally's needles, I really love my “Light Grey Leatherneck Urban Warfare tartan number 16.” Catanach #6.................

[Kid Cossack]

Wicked sharp.

[Rex_Tremende]

Outstanding for a length of heretofore unnamed tartan laying around waiting for an up-and-coming kiltmaker with only a book for a tutor. I don't know what required it be sent back, but whatever he did it works. Looks good.

Regards,
Rex.

[Captain Karrot]

Looks simply MAHVAHLOUS, Jay!

[andyfg]

Very nice kilt Jay. Good review.

[Bugbear]

Congratulations, it sounds wonderful.

[Robert Lamb]

The second and third kilt I made are the same Lamzy tartan. The second one I pleated to the blue/white stripes. The third I pleated to the red stripe, which I like the best. Mine are not so well made as I did then myself but they work for me.
Robert "the kilted" Lamb