Summer Fun Kilt!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

So, sometime late last summer I was flipping through a swatch book in my possession of D. C. Dalgleish's K/1 (light weight) range of "reproduction" tartans (what other mills might call "weathered"). The colors are really nice and soft, but what grabbed my attention at the time was the weight of the fabric.

Maybe it was because it was late summer and very hot, but I couldn't help but think that something lighter weight might get a lot of hot-weather wear in my wardrobe. In general, I really like my heavy weight kilts, and since I wear mostly 4 yard box pleated kilts, they are really comfortable to wear all year round.

But as I was feeling this 12 oz cloth, I couldn't help but think what this might be like in a kilt. It's lighter than the 13 oz cloth that most mills offer as a "medium" weight, but heavier than the "light weight" cloth which from most mills is a 10 or 11 oz. Too light for a four yard box pleated kilt, definitely. I know it would do a good job in an 8 yard kilt, but what would it be like in a 5 yard knife pleated kilt?

Why not give it a go? I decided to order cloth to make a 5 yard kilt for myself, to see how I liked something ultra-light weight in my wardrobe. I decided to go with a solid, instead of a tartan, as a lot of my summer shirts are patterned, and this will allow me to get more use out of them with my kilts. So I ordered a nice "muted green" (really a brown), because it looked like it would go with everything. A few weeks later the cloth arrived, and I sat it in my sewing room. This was to be a summer kilt, and I had all fall and winter to work on it.

Well, fall came and went. Winter came and went. Spring came and went. Next thing I knew we were full in the middle of summer and I still didn't have my "Summer Fun" kilt. And with my current workload being what it is, I just knew there was no way I would be able to find the time to make this thing for myself.

So I started to toy around with the idea of having one of the other fine kiltmakers on this board do it for me. I went back and forth and looked at a few web sites, but fairly quickly decided to email Rocky at USA Kilts. A 5 yard knife pleated kilt is nothing new to them, and the ones pictured on their web site looked pretty good. Obviously they have quite a good reputation here on the forum. And while I'm ordinarily a "hand-sewn only" kind of guy, I've heard enough good things about Rocky and Kelly's skill on a sewing machine that I thought I'd give it a try.

A few emails were exchanged. Rocky was able to give me a good price for the work, as I was supplying the cloth, straps, and buckles. And what's more, for a small "rush fee" I could have it in two weeks! As I wanted this kilt for summer wear, I considered it well worth the extra cash. Rocky was great to work with -- he made certain I knew this was going to be a machine sewn product, which I was fine with. I told him I wanted only one buckle on the right hip, not his standard two, and he was more than willing to work with me to meet my wishes.

And, as promised, about two weeks later, it arrived. So, without further adue... the Summer Fun Kilt!





The cloth is 12 oz 100% worsted wool, from D. C. Dalgliesh, in Selkirk, Scotland. The leather straps and buckles are from our own Oconee Leatherworks. The construction on the kilt is all USA Kilts. (The Hawaiian shirt I picked up on vacation last year to Ocean Isle Beach, NC). The sunflowers are God's gift to my garden (volunteers).

So, how do I like it? I like it! All things being equal, I am definitely a hand sewn, heavy weight kind of kilt wearer. And this kilt doesn't compare to those. Will I wear this one year round? No. Will I wear it formally? No. Will I get a lot of use out of it in the summer months, in casual settings? Yes! And since that it exactly what I had in mind for this kilt, consider me 100% satisfied.

As fas as the construction of the kilt goes, Rocky and Kelly did a great job. The only other machine made kilt I have ever owned was a "casual kilt" from Lochcarron in 13 oz cloth. I consider their stitching work about the same as on the Lochcarron kilt. But I think this one looks and fits better particularlly because of the extra yard of cloth (Lochcarron's casual kilts use 4 yards, but are knife pleated).

My only concern was that the kilt does not have a lining. Rocky was up front with me about that, so it was no surprise. If I decide later on that I'd prefer a lining I may add one. However, I've worn it for two days now and I can't really tell that one is needed. So I'll probably just leave as is.

How does it fit? When I put it on this morning (in the above outfit), my wife looked at me and said, "Wow, you really have lost weight recently!" I looked at her quizzically and said, "No, I'm the same as always. This kilt is the same exact size as all my others."

She just looked me up and down and said, "Well, it's very slimming on you."

Needless to say, I'm a satisfied customer. Thanks Rocky!

[cessna152towser]

Looking good.

[Splash_4]

That is a very slimming look on you Matt, your wife is right. It certainly looks like Rocky and Kelly did good by you (and I REALLY like that color... Hmmmm)

[way2fractious]

Lighter weight (cooler), less worries of potential damage, slimming... What's not to love about a 5-yard knife-pleated kilt in the wardrobe?

[CelticRanger66]

Looking Great Matt!!!

Great Job Rocky and Kelly!!!!

[Tartan Hiker]

Welcome to the "light side", Matt. The kilt looks great and the color could go with just about everything.

Be not afraid of 11 oz. fabric in a 4-yard box-pleat! I've had no problems with mine, get plenty of compliments, and they are really cool and comfy. I'm just starting on one in F&K's 11oz Lindsay poly/wool, and my 11oz. Marton PV's are great.

[BEEDEE]

Matt - looks great. And like Tartan Hiker, I have a 4yd box pleat in 11oz F&K poly/wool and find it an ideal hot weather weight - albeit a little like in a heavy breeze!

Brian

[Arlen]

Looks just grand, Matt.
Enjoy your summer!

[Tattoo Bradley]

Ahhh the "weathered" green (brown) looks wonderful. From my monitor it looks about the same as that in my Lochcarron Henderson cloth you sewed up for me. Good to know that Daglish cloth makes a nice 5 yard kilt.

[David Dalglish]

Nice looking kilt Mat.