Make a Great Kilt?

[QMcK]

Hi,

I posted on these boards not long ago, wondering if I should buy a (modern) kilt. I don't want to jump in and spend a lot of money, because I doubt I would get a lot of use from it. But I also don't want to get a thin one, because it is the middle of winter here and it is pretty cold.

So, I thought of buying some thickish wool and making a great kilt. I know this will be reasonably expensive, but nowhere near as expensive as buying a heavy-weight modern kilt.

I read on Matt Newsome's very informative website that a typical great kilt would probably have been made from two bits of material 4 yards long and 25 or so inches wide. (Thus making a blanket 4 yards by 50 inches (or 4 feet, 2 inches)).

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.

Last night, I tried putting on a (roughly) 6 and a half by 8 feet wool blanket in a great kilt-like manner, and I think it wasn't too bad.* That blanket is pretty tatty and I don't think the orangey hues go very well with me. Perhaps I should look for a good sized blanket, since the measurements of great kilts would have probably varied hugely.

Another thing I've been noticing (completely off topic) is that jeans seem to be almost a uniform for (by far) most students at my university.

* Although, never having worn a one before, I wouldn't really know.

Thanks,
Quentin.

PS: Sorry if I posted this twice. I posted it in the 'General' forum last night, but I can't find it there this morning. That was the wrong forum for this, anyway.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I saw your post last night and responded and yes, the thread disappeared!?

I have a great kilt that I received as part of a trade. It's Black Watch and I'm guessing it is lightweight but could be medium. My other kilts are heavy (8 yard) and regimental 4 yard) weights and this is clearly thinner material. These gk's are a goodly amount of material, regardless of the weight and provide a lot of warmth, even when thinner.

I wouldn't try to dissuade you from a great kilt as they are fun to wear, however, they are kind of a hassle and not very conducive to modern life IMHO. I haven't sewn pleats or belt loops in mine. I found a recommendation online to fold it into pleats and roll it up like this when storing it and it does better at holding these non-sewn pleats when worn..

I mostly wear the gk when involved in re-enacting or period wear, so I tend to think of it more as this kind of a garment. Hence, I usually wear an 18th century style plain shirt with the one-button collar open. You can get these many places (e.g. http://jas-townsend.com/product_info...3e465435506eff @ US$35.) I actually have a longer linen variety that fits perfectly with the garb. You had asked previously about other shirts and I'm just not sure. Modern collar shirts would seem "off" to me, but a black t-shirt or some other pull-overs might work out pretty well, IDK.

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.

Yeah, jeans and t-shirts were the "uniform" when I attended university 30 years ago; some things apparently take awhile to change!

[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.