Kilt making?

**Alan H** · 17th January 08, 04:00 PM

I have to agree with the curmudgeon.

Making a traditional kilt is not easy, and it's time consuming.

On the other hand, making an unbifurcated mens garment out of inexspensive material for knockaround use...that's not so hard. But a real, traditional kilt? NOT so easy, at all.

**Howard Clark** · 18th January 08, 05:37 AM

Well I jumped in with both feet thinking it was simple. I have made several "kilt like objects", but nothing that one could really call a kilt. There are three of them out of about a dozen or so that are decent enough to wear out in public. The rest are strictly work wear (which is what I was mostly after, making them myself). See Alan's note about "knockaround" use.

Even after getting Barb's book, and reading it twice through, I am not sure I am capable enough to make a proper traditional fitted knife pleated kilt. It is a very complex undertaking to do it well.

I have switched to paying people who can do it well. I will likely have another go at it, but it may be a while.

**Pleater** · 18th January 08, 03:59 PM

I did say 'basically' and then 'but' - and I don't think I said it was easy.

I wanted to encourage the looking up of various sites which offer advice.

I happily work to two places of decimal in millimetres when placing pleats, I just don't want to spread alarm and despondency amongst not yet kilt makers.

**Bugbear** · 18th January 08, 04:15 PM

I like the basicness and rawness of a belted plaid. Nothing against tanksand non-trads , but sometimes you just need practical, simple, and rugged.

Like if I know what I'm talking about.

Saddly, I don't have direct access to Barb's book...

**Prester John** · 21st January 08, 07:44 AM

A kilt is, indeed, a complex garment...to sew right anyway!

While I understand that we need more kiltmakers, let me add that we need more properly trained kiltmakers in the USA.

Aye, there's the rub.

**emyclaire** · 3rd February 08, 04:14 PM

I have sewn for years, but recently my grandsons asked me to make kilts for them in our family tartan. I generously said, "Yes". Then I read Barbara's book. Many, Many hours later, they are beginning to look like kilts, but had I realized the hours of hand sewing and basting involved, I might have given a second thought. Barbara's book is an absolute "MUST HAVE" if you have never make a kilt before, even if you have been sewing for years (60+) emyclaire

**turpin** · 3rd February 08, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by emyclaire

I have sewn for years, but recently my grandsons asked me to make kilts for them in our family tartan. I generously said, "Yes". Then I read Barbara's book. Many, Many hours later, they are beginning to look like kilts, but had I realized the hours of hand sewing and basting involved, I might have given a second thought. Barbara's book is an absolute "MUST HAVE" if you have never make a kilt before, even if you have been sewing for years (60+) emyclaire

Welcome to X-Marks the Scot, EmmyClaire! Way to jump right in with your first post.

Tell us more about yourself in the Newbie foru.

**berserkbishop** · 3rd February 08, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by emyclaire

I have sewn for years, but recently my grandsons asked me to make kilts for them in our family tartan. I generously said, "Yes". Then I read Barbara's book. Many, Many hours later, they are beginning to look like kilts, but had I realized the hours of hand sewing and basting involved, I might have given a second thought. Barbara's book is an absolute "MUST HAVE" if you have never make a kilt before, even if you have been sewing for years (60+) emyclaire

Its good to be the grandson of said generous grandmother! Thanks again grandma, and good to see you registered!

BB

**Prester John** · 4th February 08, 08:42 PM

Welcome aboard, Emyclaire!

**AlexMDN** · 29th March 08, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

I am going to have to disagree with some of the posts in this thread. I'm sorry.

A Kilt is the second only to a mans tailored suit jacket in complexity. It is NOT a piece of fabric with pleats sewn into a waistband.

Oh sure, you can make such a thing but it is this thinking that makes people believe that someday kilts will be mass produced and cost the same as a pair of jeans.

I agree with you about about jackets and kilts in comparison - they are most complicated to tailor, but mass production of kilts, unfortunately it's already began. Look at ebay listings pakistani kilts from 30 to 80$ that the price of pair of jeans. It's sad indeed, but it's a fact.

Anyways, I'm at sort of career spin point, but have to wait for some time(up to 4 years actually, thanks to my parents divorce and my father's military service I spend to much time abroad or at least CF thinks so), so I decided to go for the kilt making some time ago. My grandma knew the secret, but it's to late for me to ask. So I just reconstructed it from what I have left.
And actually it wasn't that hard, you know. First one I didn't like, but the second I've done in about 30hrs, and the third in 12hrs and this one I really like. Honestly, this one inspired friend of mine who happened to argue with me about whole thing, to order one in BC tartan.
Eventually guy doesn't know how real kilt suppose to look like and I may have a bad taste, but still ...