construction of a great kilt (belted plaid)

[Theyoungkiltman]

what are the general length measurements for the belted plaid?

[The Wizard of BC]

Unfortunately the actual specifications of exactly what the Belted Plaid was, how it was worn and what size/weight of fabric was used is lost to history. Finding definitive proof is the holy grail of kilt-dom. We simply do not have pictures or accurate historical documentation.

Some suggest that it may have been derived from the Irish Brat and therefore would have been about the size and weight of a queen sized Hudson's Bay Point Blanket.
Maybe 90" X 90" or 80" X 90". This would weigh in at between 5 and 6 pounds. This is what I have in my mind when I think of this garment.
The Leine and Brat would look similar to the pictures you see of the American native peoples wrapped in their blanket.

Others quote the issue of 4 ells of fabric to new recruits in the military. 1 ell is about 42" to 45". Or 160" up to 180" long by 24" to 28" wide. This may or may not have been joined to create a total about 80" to 90" long by 48" to 52" wide. This could weight between 6 and 7 pounds if we use the weighing standard we use today.

Wool of the day of the Great Kilt or Belted Plaid is seldom seen woven today. It is a common misconception that you can substitute modern worsted twill weave kilt fabric for the Belted Plaid. Some even try to use the light weight stuff found in fabric stores.
Most historians seem agree that the fabric was significantly heavier, thicker, and of a different weave that the kilt fabrics found today.

I have also heard some say that the fabric may have been boiled wool or what we today call Melton Wool. This may or may not account for the reports of the use of the Belted Plaid as defense against the elements.

Please do not buy into the ren faire idea of "the whole nine yards" or 18 feet of fabric laid out on the ground. If you think about it the Great Kilt is supposed to be a practical garment. Would you want to go through all that hassle each morning just to put your clothes on?

[jhockin]

I would suggest trying the search function, here on the forum. There have, over the years, been numerous very informative threads and posts on the Great Kilt.

[Benning Boy]

I've come to think of the great kilt as being something more like the match coat shown here: http://wildeweavery.com/home.htm The match coat is practical without requiring romantic amounts of fabric. A tartan plaid worn like a match coat becomes a great kilt in my mind.

[Theyoungkiltman]

also we know that the great kilts were probably woven from the wool of highland sheep which are extinct

[The Wizard of BC]

??? huh? what? ???

[Mikilt]

also we know that the great kilts were probably woven from the wool of highland sheep which are extinct

Perhaps you are referring to the Scottish Dunface going extinct in about the 19th Century in mainland Scotland?

[Theyoungkiltman]

mikilt, i probably am .

[Godot]

I know this thread is a wee bit old, but I've had my eye on the single wool tartan that is still in stock here http://periodfabric.com/tartan/

Has anyone used this wool? Any opinions as to whether this sett (which seems quite small) and color are historically acceptable enough to not be totally fictitious, or is this particular tartan just too far off to even look good as a belted plaid?

[The Wizard of BC]

From that particular company I would go over to their "wool" tab and select either WRCH-408 or WRCH-411. These are in what they call blanket weight. One is striped and one a plaid. At 60" wide joining is a bit problematic. You will want a finished piece about 5 or 6 ft square.

Personally I would be looking for a boiled or Melton wool Army blanket in Full size (72" x 90") or Queen size (90" x 100").