Make a Great Kilt?

[QMcK]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Your gk sounds nice.

Yes, I was put off by how difficult it seems to be to put one on, however I think that when people were wearing them as everyday clothing, they would have done it much faster. I suspect they may have gone to a lot of trouble in putting it on only for special occasions.

That's a very handsome shirt. I want one! $35 US does not sound a bad price, especially when you consider how much some modern dressy shirts can be.

Well, I was half-planning to go to some fabric stores today, but I didn't manage to get around to it. However, I will! I may find a bargain!

Yes, t-shirts and jeans. Interesting it was largely the same 30 years ago. Not that I would wear a gk to university, but I already feel my attire is a little out of the norm for a student: I wear chinos with a buttoned shirt every day.

[billmcc]

I also responded to your post last night, but can't find the original thread today. So, here I go again.

I have no experience with the Great Kilt. However, if you would like a relatively inexpensive modern kilt that will keep you warm, see here: http://onlinemilitaria.net/shopexd.asp?id=1702&bc=no

The WPG (What Price Glory) website sells a reproduction Gordon Highlanders kilt for only US$195. It is made of 22 oz. wool so it will keep you very warm. Many forum members are very happy with the kilts they have purchased from WPG.

[QMcK]

Thanks for that, billmcc. I'll consider that.

[Pleater]

It would be rather unusual these days to come across wool fabric made in narrow strips - the normal width is 54 inches, with some fabrics being 60 inches across, though they tend to be wool mixed with other fibres, or entirely other fibres.

If you cannot find a heavy enough fabric consider using a lighter one doubled. Sewing along the edges can enclose raw edges and hide non kilting selvages.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Captain Twining]

My pipe band is slowly but surely going from Victorian style kilts to the great kilt. At first I was very apprensive and even began calling it the Scottish diaper.
After my pipe major showed all of us how it could be worn to be a warm garment or tucked into the belt on hotter days, opinions began to change. We also found that it can be much less expensive to outfit a band with only a great kilt and a Jacobite style shirt. This winter we will be making 18th century style sporrans.

-Phil

[QMcK]

Thanks. I may need to double over a thinner fabric. Thanks for the suggestion. If I can get a heavy enough wool, I probably won't even have to sew the two bits together! I think I will sew in the loops for the drawstring.

Yes, they sound quite versatile.

[davedove]

I think I would buy solid coloured wool sheeting, as I expect tartan wool (if I could get it) would be much more expensive. I haven't yet been to a fabric shop, so I don't yet know if they would have what I want.

Good luck on searching the fabric stores. I've heard of some people running into some amazing deals finding end bolts of honest to goodness wool material that displayed an accurate tartan. I'm sure it's worth looking around to see what you can find.

Great kilts wouldn't have been made from "named" tartans anyway, but rather whatever pattern the local weaver had made. Named tartans came about much later.

So, you may luck out and find a nice tartan pattern in the fabric store that you like that is much less expensive. Look around.