celtic croft great kilt advise

**corbmonster** · 13th November 14, 11:11 PM

I think I had asked before on this forum or another about great kilts. I keep coming back to celtic croft. I'm looking at their homespun wool/poly blend (loose weave), or the poly viscose. Has anyone had any dealings with either? Are they both washer friendly? Would one keep me warmer than the other (they are both about the same weight (9-10, and 10-11 oz respectively)? I would think the polywool would be warmer, but I'm not familiar with the materials. Cheater pleates, should I? I would think not. Just stretch it out on the ground and get to pleating. Simple enough. And lastly, belt advice. Should I go with a more narrow belt? Like 1.5 inch? 2? 2.5? Lots of questions, I know. I'm looking for advise from the sages.

**MacGumerait** · 14th November 14, 12:16 AM

I have no experience with either of the two fabrics , however , it's generally a 3 " belt worn with a great kilt .

Cheers , Mike

**duke_19_62** · 14th November 14, 04:22 AM

Me in Great Kiltl at the Dragon.jpg
I have the Homespun Macneil (ancient) Great Kilt with cheater pleats. Yes, the cheater pleats are worth it, to me anyways. I don't have the patience (or honestly, the floor space in my apartment) to lay it out completely flat and do the pleating. I haven't worn it enough yet to know about the washer-friendliness (Is there such a word? I digress.). It is a fairly heavyweight fabric. the photo was taken at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and purposely waited for a cooler day to wear it. As for the belt, the top have hangs enough over it the belt didn't show, so go with what your comfortable with. To me, a wider belt seems more appropriate. I wore a 2" black leather I got from AmeriKilt. I have two contemporary kilts in the homespun wool from Celtic Croft as well. Personally I love them.

**Pleater** · 14th November 14, 09:28 AM

fabrics with wool are warmer than all man made, as a rule, and they also tend to age rather than wear out - a subtle but important difference in the scheme of things.
I think that the width of belt might be influenced by your decision about the cheater pleats. Having tried out a great kilt as a dressing gown I ended up with a sash to secure it before deciding to take scissors to it as it was just not practical in our house.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**corbmonster** · 14th November 14, 09:53 AM

I do appreciate the comments. Reason I ask about the belt is because it's sole purpose it to hold the kilt up, and will not be seen. Except perhaps the buckle. As for the length.. it says 4 yard for a 34" waist. and I'm 34.5 so I guess that would work. But so wouldn't a 5 yard kilt? or more? I have a budget 8 yard kilt that I doubt is actually made with 8 yards. It's probably 7, or 6.5 But still, couldn't I get longer length and just make deeper pleats? Or is that just a bad idea for some reason?

**Pleater** · 14th November 14, 11:14 AM

Well - the bottom would be alright, as it falls in pleats just fine, but above the belt there is ALL THAT FABRIC, just sloshing around - I found that I was clearing tables as I passed by and catching the furniture with - I think 5 yards - it was too much, even when I made the bottom part longer and put a sash around the top to try to control it all.

A bit of minimalism doesn't go amiss with a great kilt - not when worn indoors, and I suspect that scrub and heather landscapes were not around when the great kilt was being worn, even though they are so common now they are there as a result of modern-ish methods of land management.

Anne the Pleater

**corbmonster** · 14th November 14, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

Well - the bottom would be alright, as it falls in pleats just fine, but above the belt there is ALL THAT FABRIC, just sloshing around - I found that I was clearing tables as I passed by and catching the furniture with - I think 5 yards - it was too much, even when I made the bottom part longer and put a sash around the top to try to control it all.

A bit of minimalism doesn't go amiss with a great kilt - not when worn indoors, and I suspect that scrub and heather landscapes were not around when the great kilt was being worn, even though they are so common now they are there as a result of modern-ish methods of land management.

Anne the Pleater

really? I thought since they are all the same width of fabric (58-60 inches) the amount of top half material would be irrelevant. Sure there is more length (or width on the waist) but its all held up in the back right? I wish I could try these on before buying....

**corbmonster** · 14th November 14, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Pleater

Well - the bottom would be alright, as it falls in pleats just fine, but above the belt there is ALL THAT FABRIC, just sloshing around - I found that I was clearing tables as I passed by and catching the furniture with - I think 5 yards - it was too much, even when I made the bottom part longer and put a sash around the top to try to control it all.

A bit of minimalism doesn't go amiss with a great kilt - not when worn indoors, and I suspect that scrub and heather landscapes were not around when the great kilt was being worn, even though they are so common now they are there as a result of modern-ish methods of land management.

Anne the Pleater

You would be correct about tying it down with a sash. From the pictures and paintings I've seen. And recreating I've seen (Outlander on Stars) they wore 2 belts. and inner belt that secured the kilt to waist. Then with the top half hanging down, another belt was warn lower towards the hips. This second belt was to hang things. Dirk, Sporran, and I assume to secure the kilt better as you did with your sash. So it makes sense.

**Pleater** · 14th November 14, 01:48 PM

The sash was put on in exasperation - the top part of the kilt spreads out and attacks the ornaments something dreadful. It is not the edge to edge measurement across the weft, but the warp measurement, and 4 to 5 yards is quite enough to try to secure - it did sometimes seem to have a life of its own and a mischievous sense of humour too.

My large vase of artificial peach roses in the hall has never been the same again. So often seized and ravaged by the great kilt as I brought the milk in, poor things.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**hoosier8** · 14th November 14, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by corbmonster

really? I thought since they are all the same width of fabric (58-60 inches) the amount of top half material would be irrelevant. Sure there is more length (or width on the waist) but its all held up in the back right? I wish I could try these on before buying....

A great kilt will have a lot of material above the belt. You can tuck it in for pockets, wear it over your shoulders for warmth and if you are short enough, wear it over your head (I am not short enough). It will give you a big butt.

You can also tuck it in for pockets and wear it over one shoulder and pin it. I don't know what a 'kit' consists of but you can just get the yardage and a belt and pin and make your own.