Four-yard, box pleated kilts

[Don Patrick]

NOTE:
The original post date. (Feb. 2005)

Also, Matt pretty much ONLY uses 16 oz worsted wool.

I, myself, am a HUGE fan of wool, as are a number of other frequent posters.

(Also, I live in the hot, humid South (US South), and find 16 oz worsted wool box pleat kilts to be COOLER than shorts and MUCH cooler than jeans in the summer.)

Matt does EXCELLENT quality and would HIGHLY recommend him.

I make my own box pleats and, thus far, am not taking orders (to many still to make for myself).
I am thinking of SELLING the ONLY knife pleat I ever made (5 yard saxony wool-> my first attempt). I LOVE the box pleats SO much more.

Box Pleated Evangelist,

I hadn't thought about that. I guess thick wool kinda scares me - Summer in Texas and all. Another thought I just had - I wonder how this would work with my motorcycle? Interesting prospect.

[MacWage]

Properly made worsted wool actually breathes REAL well. I LOVE my kilts being 16 (and want to try heavier). Of course, I also love box-pleats, so it makes a MAJOR difference compared to a 8 yard tank.

Here is an example of the difference:
I have NO problem driving 4+ hours in a 4 yard box pleat. However, the 5 yard knife got on my nerves in a couple hours.
When in Aiken (South Carolina), I was talking in a clan tent anout kilts and the guys in 6 to 8 yarders talked about how hard to sit on the kilt if it was even for an hour. They were surprised I drove the 1.5-2 hours there with out issues. They would have taken off their kilts and put on shorts for that time.

Here is my Carolina DIRECTLY after 3 hours:
(From my home, through Greenville, and just north of Highlands, NC on my way to the Tartan Museum on Tartan Day)

Comfee on a cold (and windy) April day and on the HOT Greenville games (see posts on THAT one-> some think the field hit 100+).
If it works in South Carolina, it should work in Texas.

[Don Patrick]

MacWage,

Great looking pleats. Who made that kilt? What is the weight of that kilt - 16 oz? How many times worn before dry cleaning? Any special issues/problems when dry cleaning - such as pleats. Do they have to be pinned up?

Sorry for twenty questions.

[MacWage]

MacWage,

Great looking pleats. Who made that kilt? What is the weight of that kilt - 16 oz? How many times worn before dry cleaning? Any special issues/problems when dry cleaning - such as pleats. Do they have to be pinned up?

Sorry for twenty questions.

Made by ME. Not yet cleaned extensively, just a couple inside "quick washes" (garden hose). (Should I have admitted that) WHEN I clean it, it will be in the tub with woolite. Then, I will probably have to repress it (like I did when I first made it).
It is 16 oz worsted wool (the tail end of a special run of Carolina tartan for a band). I actually PREFER heavier wool for box-pleats. My 13 oz ones (I have 2) are used more as "beaters," as they do not hold a pleat as well, stay down as well with wind, nor "feel" significantly (enough to notice) cooler. I have some 18 oz wool coming and REALLY want to see what that feels like with a box pleat in the Southern heat (may end up as NEXT summer's heat at my present kilt-making pace).

[Don Patrick]

MacWage,

It's a very rightous tartan. Increditable pleat alignment. If you can find the time, I'd be interested. Clan Lamont, 16 oz wool, four yard, box pleats.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Don,

Like MacWage said, this is a very old thread you are resurrecting. I started this thread way back when I first started making box pleated kilts for sale. I've now got nearly 200 under my belt.

I'd be more than happy to make a kilt for you in either the Gray or the Lamont tartan. As MacWage said, I use only worsted wool, twill weave, traditional Scottish kilting cloth. My preference is for 16 oz weight (which is considered "heavy weight") as it really makes for the nicest kilts. It will hold a pleat forever, has a solid, masculine hang, and is really great to work with. Because the kilt only has 4 yards of cloth (rather than the typical 8) you will find the kilt to be cooler and more comfortable than even a light weight 8 yard wool kilt.

I will also use 13 oz wool (medium weight) and (when available) 18 oz regimental weight.

The Gray tartan is produced by The House of Edgar in their medieum weight line of tartans, so if you wanted that one, it would only be available in 13 oz unless you wanted me to have it woven for you in a 16 oz (also an option).

Your Lamont is available in several color schemes (ancient, modern, weathered, muted) in 13 oz and 16 oz. So my reccomendation would be to go with 16 oz unless the color scheme you wanted were only available in 13 oz.

I have done kilts in each of these tartans before and would be happy to send you pictures upon request. Just send me an email at eogan@albanach.org to work out the details.

Also be sure to look over my web site, where you will find pricing and measuring information.
http://kilts.albanach.org

Aye,
Matt

[David White]

Lamont makes a beautiful box-pleat. Here is a picture of mine, Matt didn't make this one however.

[Don Patrick]

Matt, You're on. I'll send you an e-mail this AM.

David, That has to be the most incredible tartan I've laid my eyes on. You should be very proud.

[David White]

Thanks Don,
I had the clothe done by Peter MacDonald.

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/tartan/index.htm

Its an early 1804-6 variant of the Lamont.

Here is a picture of the front.


You will be very happy with any Lamont.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Thanks Don,
I had the clothe done by Peter MacDonald.

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/tartan/index.htm

Note that the web site you gave for Peter MacDonald is way out of date. Look at the bottom of the page and you'll see that it was last updated in 1999. I honestly wonder why it's still active! In any case, none of the pricing information on there applied any longer.

Peter's current site is:
http://www.scottishtartans.co.uk/

You'll see that it was last update on June 4, 2007, so this is the one to go by.

Aye,
Matt