Making a Kilt for my son

**auld argonian** · 14th March 12, 04:39 PM

Nine yards! Aye carumba!

No...just do the "little kilt" thing where you lay it on the floor with a belt underneath it, fold the pleats in, have the kid lay down on it, wrap int around him and cinch the belt...you'd be amazed at how well that hold things in place.

One of the vendors here sells the same kind of thing made out of homespun wool and it's a viable option so you can easily do it yourself.

Search youtube, there are video tutorials on how to wrap this kind of thing...look for great kilt or ancient kilt...

Try to fix him up with something for a sporran, though...that helps keep things together and really finishes the look.

Best

AA

**Pleater** · 14th March 12, 04:42 PM

As long as your fabric is on the straight grain, so that when folded along a thread it is at right angles to the top and bottom of the kilt you should have no problem.

I think that you will need about 12 inches of pleats - it usually depends on the material you use as to how many pleats there are and how deep, if you are using a tartan or patterned material then let the pattern guide you in making the pleats.

I assume the kilt is to be worn over a garment and not be skin tight, so the finished measurement at the waist should be 23 to 24inches - easiest to estimate, fold and tack and then refine the actual measuremenets before the final sewing.

You need to put in pleats beneath the aprons to allow for freedom of movement.

If the kilt is to be worn in a traditional way then it should come up above the waist, making in just to the top of the hips will be too short - particularly if you decide to secure it with a belt as you will need an inch or more of kilt for the belt to lie on.

As Ireland has no history of kilt wearing it would be fine to make a style other than the standard Victorian Scottish kilt, but enough length is essential not just for the style.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Ccain** · 15th March 12, 05:07 PM

Thank you so much auld and Pleater. Your advice was a great help. I have found a pattern that will work and I think that the thing that scared me the most was putting the pleats in the fabric. And how much material was needed. thank you and when I get the kilt made i will post pictures. any suggestions on what I could use for a sporran i was going to use a coin purse and figure some thing out. I know I did not think this out very well. but i will be ready for next year.

**sydnie7** · 15th March 12, 07:08 PM

There are some threads here about making a "rustic" sporran using the leather from a woman's purse (think thrift store). Here is one of them LINK You could use the Troop 7 pattern posted earlier and recycle leather from whatever you have or can find at the thrift store. It's just a pouch but I think would look worlds better than hanging a coin purse on the fellow.

**MT4Runner** · 16th March 12, 07:56 AM

Definitely give him the opportunity to make his own sporran--he'll surely take ownership in the whole kit!

**auld argonian** · 16th March 12, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by MT4Runner

Definitely give him the opportunity to make his own sporran--he'll surely take ownership in the whole kit!

What he said...it's a simple enough project and sewing is a life skill every guy worth his salt has...never too early to get started.

Don't know how the resale/goodwill store situation is by you but a lot of times you can find things that you can cannibalize for their materials...around here there are enough ratty leather jackets to be had for a couple of bucks that still have enough leather in decent condition on 'em to make it worth cuttin' 'em up for the material.

Best

AA