Kingussie Kilt by Lady Chrystel

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 7th December 09, 05:15 AM

Robert,

Beautiful kilt, and beautiful pictures! Lady Chrystel has done another fine job!

I have to ask one question, if I may. The cloth from House of Edgar generally has a very fine kilting selvage. However, it appears in some of the pictures that Lady Chrystel has hemmed this kilt. Is there a reason for this? (Or is it just my eyes playing tricks on me?)

**Hamish** · 7th December 09, 05:52 AM

Just too gorgeous! Warmest congratulations to The Lady Chrystel for her superb craftswomanship (!), and to Robert for having it made for him.

Take care,
Ham.

**Detroitpete** · 7th December 09, 06:58 AM

That is truly a beautiful kilt. I've always wondered what that specific tartan would look like. Amazing work!

**Phil** · 7th December 09, 07:54 AM

A beautiful looking kilt. I see what Matt says about the hem which is unusual.

**Ancienne Alliance** · 7th December 09, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Robert,

Beautiful kilt, and beautiful pictures! Lady Chrystel has done another fine job!

I have to ask one question, if I may. The cloth from House of Edgar generally has a very fine kilting selvage. However, it appears in some of the pictures that Lady Chrystel has hemmed this kilt. Is there a reason for this? (Or is it just my eyes playing tricks on me?)

I asked Chrystel and she gave me a very elaborate answer that I will try to translate and summarise.

The kilting selvage in general is never quite to her standards. Not only aren't they thick and regular enough, but they aren't situated at the right place in the fabric.

Now one could argue that the Mills are bona fide authorities and should therefore know what they are doing , thus the area they choose for their selvage should be ideal. But Chrystel spent time to show me that for a strong, pivot-like stripe to be situated at the bottom rim of the kilt (or for that matter a well tailored dress or skirt) "shortens" the wearer and is simply a mistake. It goes against everything she learned in tailoring school (Ecole de Haute-Couture in Lyon, France).

So for one , she prefers choosing the ideal place on the sett that is going to be the bottom of her kilts. Another reason is that a hem adds weight to the rim of the pleating thus giving the kilt a better fit. Her hems are of course hand made and invisible.

Our friend Mr.Bob Martin (kilt -maker and historian extraordinaire) that you know well

, mentions some historical kilts as having a hem, and Barbara Tewksbury also mentions hemming in her book.

I hope I didn't forget anything.

Best,

Robert

**Rogerson785** · 7th December 09, 08:17 AM

What an interesting design and fabulous looking kilt.

**cloves** · 7th December 09, 09:05 AM

wow...fabulous! She has mastered everything she has attempted thus far!!

what must Chrystel try next? I think the reverse kinguisse!

**GMan** · 7th December 09, 09:24 AM

I love it.

**Highlander31** · 7th December 09, 09:43 AM

Very nice, Robert. Lady Chrystel has done it again. My wife has a question, she is curious as to how the pleats swing. Do they swing like a knife pleat, or are they more like the double box pleat?

**ForresterModern** · 7th December 09, 10:10 AM

What a beautiful kilt, and lovely tartan. For a yellow predominant tartan this one's colorset is fabulous, and perfect for the season with all the fall colors. Very vivid colors, too, considering the Rare and Selects usually are more muted or reserved.

Magnifique.