Kilt making?

[Bugbear]

The Wizard of BC , that's why I will gladly pay a kilt maker, who knows how to do these things, to make a kilt. I can almost deal with making my belted plaids, but I still need a little help, LOL! However, I am not weaving the cloth; I am not spinning the wool; I am not sheering the sheep or raising them; and so on and so on. My point is that we all are taking something that someone else has made and using it.

All my respect goes to you and the other kilt makers. When I was a young child, I wanted to be a clothing fashion designer, but I don't have the skill or talent in sewing and cutting cloth. If singforsam does find a talent in kiltmaking, I wish singforsam all the good luck in the world. I think it's got to start with Barb's book though.

[The Wizard of BC]

I guess the point I was trying to make is that we as kilt wearers sometimes get all wrapped around the axle about different Tartans, and different fabric weights, and different pleat styles. But it is actually the craftsmanship and artistry of Traditional Kiltmakers that we should be thinking about.

This is the heart of the Tartan Tat controversy. Sure, a length of bright plaid sewn into what looks like pleats and called a kilt will sell simply because we as kiltmakers have failed to get across to the public that there is more to it than that.

I welcome anyone who wishes to make their own kilt. I welcome and encourage anyone who chooses to make this their life's work. We need more kiltmakers, desperately.

On the other hand, we kiltmakers need to show the world that making a well fitting and swishing kilt is as complex as making a three piece suit.

[Alan H]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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