A question about popular sizes

[Kilted Blackwolf]

This may seem an odd question, but I am curious as to what the most popular sizes are that are sold by professional kiltmakers.

[longhuntr74]

There's no such thing as a "size" for a professional kiltmaker. Each kilt is sewn to the particular owner's measurements. Now there are some very reputable companies that sell "off the rack" kilts in standard 32", 34", etc measurements...but they aren't made by professional kiltmakers, per se. they are typically machine sewn in a factory to standardized dimensions.

[Paul Henry]

The last 2 kilts I made were:
a 49" waist 51" hips 21"drop
and a
34" waist 31" hips 22.5" drop

and that sort of variation isn't unusual!As Longhuntr74 says, kiltmakers make to size, so there is not really a standard or popular size, and that, as a kiltmaker is exactly what I like!

[Micric]

Paul,
I think kiltmakers must be b---dy magicians!
All sorts of odd sizes, and yet the finished fitted kilt looks marvelous!..how is it done?...it must be a black art!

[Schiehallion]

I would have thought too, that the length of kilt fabric was more to the point, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 yard etc?

[ChattanCat]

I would have thought too, that the length of kilt fabric was more to the point, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 yard etc?

If it were only the yardage. Custom kilts are made to measure. Then you have to design the kilt with the sett that the tartan is weaved. The design is not over yet until you get to each pleat where you need to make sure each pleat tapers from the waist to the hips and not lose any elements.

Each kilt is a custom design from the dimensions of the wearer, material, sett, etc. Each kilt is engineered to take all the variables to create a wearable garment.

THAT is what we all strive for...

Cheers,

[Tartan Hiker]

Each kilt is a custom design from the dimensions of the wearer, material, sett, etc. Each kilt is engineered to take all the variables to create a wearable garment.
Cheers,

And that is why making them is so fascinating! What's not to love about a constantly changing process that requires total dedication to detail. Maybe that's why so many of us are former (or current) engineers (like Steve) and scientists (like Barb and myself).

[Barb T]

And that is why making them is so fascinating! What's not to love about a constantly changing process that requires total dedication to detail. Maybe that's why so many of us are former (or current) engineers (like Steve) and scientists (like Barb and myself).

And it's curious that many of the pipers I know are either engineers, scientists, or mathematicians......

And ditto to what Longhuntr, PaulHenry and Wally have said! And, as many kilts as I have made, it always amazes me that it takes only 3 measurements to make that a kilt that will fit someone like a glove.

[McClef]

There is indeed a big difference between a totally made to measure kilt and those that are "off the peg."

With the former there is no popular standardisation, as it is all individual measurements, with the latter the drop usually seems to be 24" with waists in 2" increments and with no seat information.

The only time I have encountered the use of only two measurements for made to measure (drop and waist) was for my Welsh Cilts from the Wales Tartan Centre, when I queried why they did not require the seat I was informed that this was not needed for their calculations. The Cilts both fit perfectly in the seat, but how they managed this is still something of a mystery!

[Pleater]

Even though I only make kilts for myself and try to stick to one set of measurements or a smaller one, (at least horizontally) the folding of the fabric is not identical in every case.

I usually pleat to a stripe, rather than the sett, so one factor is removed, that of matching the apron centre to the pleat centre.

However - the placing of the apron upon the fabric is still the first consideration. A large sett could mean cutting off fabric to get the apron right.

Slight adjustment of the size and shaping of the apron sometimes is prompted by how the pattern and the shaped edge appear at a first folding.

The size of the sett and the elements in it usually dictate where the pleats are folded, though easing the stripe slightly closer or further from the edge of the pleat can improve the appearance of the reveal, particularly within the tapering. That is where the science and math defer to craft and eye.

I do use a sliderule and micrometer when folding and sewing pleats, and am a B.Sc not a B.A. - and my musical performances did improve considerably once I obtained an electronic tuner.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: