Kilt or Skirt for a Nine-Year-Old Girl

[Kent Frazier]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum or not. Please move as necessary.

Yesterday, as we were doing some shopping, my nine-year-old daughter said she had something to ask me privately. After parking the car she and I took a few steps away from her mom and she told me that she was starting to get interested in her Scottish heritage. She then said that she would like "a kilt" and asked about the family tartan. When we returned home, I showed her some of the Fraser tartans and she said that she would like one in the red.

Now, I'm not really sure if she really is interested in her heritage or if she thinks this might be a good way to get a new piece of clothing. But it would make it easier for me to "sell" my kilt purchase to my wife if I were to get one for our daughter also.

I've been looking at some of the merchants online, and I'm not seeing a lot of children's wear. The ones at Sport Kilt, for example: The "youth" sizes were too small, and I'm not sure how the "Women" sizes would fit. One of the "mini kilts" might work, but I'm afraid she would out grow it very soon.

Can anyone recommend a source for a child's skirt available in the Fraser red tartan?

Thanks,

Kent

[ccga3359]

Cheaply? No not really. You could try Rocky at USAKilts. I wonce asked Pete at CCK for the same in Maple Leaf for my 7 yo daughter. I too am afraid of growing out too soon of a bespoke kilted skirt. Pete assurded me that he builds a childs kilt to be extendable, width and length-wise. Also think that this might become a treasured item for your daughter something that she shares with just her Dad.

[pipesndrumsnun]

I'd personally say "Go for the kilt!", but I know some people disagree with me on that.
Now, it is not the family name, but what about a Wallace (it is red) in a size small in the thrifty kilt from Stillwater?

[McMurdo]

You could get in touch with Pete at Canadian Casul Kilts he would be able to get the tartan you want and make it so that it would fit now and grow with her.

[James MacMillan]

For a nine year old, with their incessant growth spurts, the cheapest way would be to make the skirt (not kilt!) yourself, and do it out of fabric obtained at or ordered from a local fabric store.

Most people don't know, but most of the big chains of fabric stores will special order small lots of fabric. They are all stocked from central warehousing operations that also feed their stores and clients. Go in and talk to them.

[Moosedog]

I think it's great that she is interested!

If she wants to wear a kilt by all means get her a kilt. If she prefers a Fraser, then a Sportkilt would be the easiest and cheapest option off the rack. The Men's Small is just the next notch up from the youth size. They could do a custom job for you as well. Or might sell you their poly blend fabric if you are handy with a sewing machine. That could be another project you and your daughter share?

Next up in price and quality would be a USA kilt. I'm sure the folks there could build in some growing room. But not too much, you want her to enjoy the fit now.

Enjoy,
Moosedog

[pipesndrumsnun]

Or might sell you their poly blend fabric if you are handy with a sewing machine. That could be another project you and your daughter share?

That is a very cool idea!!

[O'Neille]

I've made my daughter 3 kilted skirts. The first she wore once and grew out of it within a week. I didn't put a growth pleat in it. The second and third are still being worn I made them 3 inches (3 pleats) too big with velcro closure. I'm going to start buying inexpensive wool pleated skirts from ebay and blind hemming them and moving buckles for her.

[PaulX608]

Here is my 7 year old wearing a SK mini:


We had the same trouble with her. She's big for her age, and seemed to be between the youth and women's sizes. With the velcro closure on this one, there's a good bit of adjusting that can be made. She loves it!

[beowulf67]

Teach her how to sew and she can start making kilts for you!!