Casual Kilt can it be done???

[TenorClef]

I've got some tartan, made from pure 13oz pure wool yarn from Bute, Scotland. The thing is there isn't enough for a proper kilt, there is 3 metres at double width. Might this be enough for what is termed a 'Casual Kilt'? I read on www.scotweb.co.uk that a casual kilt can be made from as little as 3-4 yards of fabric and that these style of kilts tend to sit lower on the waist like trousers. I'm a 34" waist and about 5ft 8" if that aids this discussion.

Quote from said site-

'the lighter garment is ideal for activities where the weight of a full traditional kilt might be tiring. You won’t get quite the same swing when dancing, but to the non-expert eye the Casual kilt can be hard to tell apart from the Traditional 8 yard version and for most occasions it can be a very acceptable alternative'.

[brewerpaul]

You have plenty of material for a kilt with 3meters double width. What you may find is less depth on pleats but that is of no real issue. I would stick with making a regular traditional kilt rise rather than go with the jeans waist kilt. If you are going to make it, make it right. You have plenty of material and can play with different styles of pleating from box pleats to pleating to stripe. When I bought some tartan this past month I could only afford 3 yards but I feel Ill have a fine kilt from that. A 6 yarder can look just as classy as an eight yarder. Best of luck with this project.

[TenorClef]

Thanks for the positive comments brewerpaul, I won't be making it myself :-) No sewing skills i'm afraid. I'd have to find a suitable tailoring establishment in the UK that could make the kilt at the right price point. Thats another bridge to cross though, first just wanted to see if it was possible.

[uncle remus]

if you can get or have a copy of "the art of kiltmaking" check pages 44-45 where it talks about how much tartan you will need. according to the book hips of 30 - 35 " needs 6 yards of tartan.

[TenorClef]

if you can get or have a copy of "the art of kiltmaking" check pages 44-45 where it talks about how much tartan you will need. according to the book hips of 30 - 35 " needs 6 yards of tartan.

Thanks for the input uncle remus, i've just had another look at the photos on the scotweb site and i wasn't sure the casual kilt was a good look in the pleats. It lacked something.

[kiltedtom]

TenorClef,

I am in no way qualified to comment about how much material you need. I have seen advertisements for kilts of 4 yards. I would think that 3 meters would be fine for a "casual" kilt. However, I did want to say that, looking at the picture of the material, it will be one very fine looking kilt when you are finished. I really like the colors. Good luck with whatever you do decide.

By the way, happy new year (slightly early, I know) to you.

Tom

[Pleater]

Not at all - I have made kilts with uncooperative fabric where I had to juggle seams to put them at the fold of a pleat (on the inside) in order to achieve a smooth result.

With the full width of the fabric available a 24 inch drop should be perfectly achievable, with no compromise about 'jeans waist'. Also with at least six yards of single width, and enough for the waistband to be cut from the central strip left over - the seams should not take out more than an inch each unless there is a big problem lining things up. I would start with the large pieces for the aprons, under apron pleats and the start of the smaller pleats, as it is always easier to hide things amongst the small pleats, for instance making pleats different sizes alternately or every third in order to create more pleats from less fabric. There is usually a single join at the inner fold of the most convenient pleat about the centre back. To hide two more should not be beyond all options.

I don't think that you should regard a kilt made from 3 metres of double width material as anything less than a proper kilt. I have made myself perfectly good kilts from 19 ft of material even when my waist was rather larger. The 3 metres will give you 19.5 ft, less the seams if they can't be placed in the folds, so for your size it should make a good kilt.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[TenorClef]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies, I initially thought it wasn't going to be possible and the tailor in Greenock (Scotland) said he could make me the kilt with the amount of material for £100 which I thought was a bargain but once I informed him that the material was in two pieces he replied back saying 'it can't be done sorry'. So I'm sort of getting mixed signals. I guess I need a sympathetic kilt maker in the UK who is good with workarounds.

[ratspike]

Yeah, keep looking. Having to work with joining the extra pieces of fabric isn't a perfect situation but it's not a non-starter either.

[KiltedKnome]

Actually, your waist measurement is not as important as the hip measurement (unless your waist is bigger than your hips). Assuming you have fairly typically proportions, you should be able to play around with pleats and end up with a nice kilt. You can also explore where to wear the waist of your kilt. A traditional kilt is made to a high rise waist, but you can make one to rest lower and it "is still right", just different and more contemporary. What is the tartan?