Poor man's great kilt

**Kinth** · 21st February 13, 01:24 AM

Hi everybody,

I'm back with one of my strange topics !

As I regularly go to medieval/reenactment parties and fairs, I've been looking for a cheap way of getting dressed in a great kilt. After a few searches, I've found some tartan-like cloths, 6 foots by about 7 yards (1,5 x 6 meters). The only issue is that for budget reasons it must be around 6oz, I couldn't find heavier than this.

Due to the lenght and the numerous pleats on the rear, I have no problems with the wind, but the front is really too light... And as I now regularly wear a heavyweight SWK, I feel really unconfortable now with my pseudo-great-kilt.

Do you have an idea of how I could weight down a bit the cloth?

Thanks for your help !

EDIT: I made a typo in the title, it's "poor" and not "por" of course... If an admin could fix this please...

**Chas** · 21st February 13, 04:34 AM

Well, you are not going to use all 7 yards. Why not cut off a yard and stitch two parts of it to the undersides of the aprons only (not round the back). That would give you, in effect 12oz aprons. If you went for two layers, that would give you 18oz for each apron - enough to hold off most breezes.

Regards

Chas

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st February 13, 05:34 AM

I think I would search a little harder for some heavier fabric. Remember, for your reenactment purposes it does not have to be a named tartan pattern. When I did reenactment, I was able to shop the local fabric stores and get 100% wool or wool blends in some serviceable weights for just a few dollars a yard. This time of year is a great time to look for woolens on the discount tables, as fabric stores clear out their inventory of cold weather fabric making room for lighter summer weights.

**MacLowlife** · 21st February 13, 05:51 AM

PENDLETON woolen mills make some great heavy wool fabrics. Try searching for them on eBay. Or, you may wish to look at blankets ( military surplus?) and consider sewing two of them together. Two blankets, seamed end to end would give you 5 yards, which could easily work as a great kilt.

**Tobus** · 21st February 13, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by Kinth

Due to the lenght and the numerous pleats on the rear, I have no problems with the wind, but the front is really too light... And as I now regularly wear a heavyweight SWK, I feel really unconfortable now with my pseudo-great-kilt.

Do you have an idea of how I could weight down a bit the cloth?

Wear a sporran?

**NorseCelt** · 21st February 13, 07:25 AM

Kilt pin? Lead weights?

**Kinth** · 26th February 13, 04:56 PM

Thank you everybody for your pieces of advice. I've been combining extra-layer and sporran for my monthly party, as I was in a hurry, and I'll try to find something more suitable for next time.

The problem here in Paris is that anything looking more or less "scottish" is sold at high prices, especially when composed of wool... Also, the only place I found some tartan cloth (aside from high-end taylors and their "400€ greatkilt") was the Marché Saint Pierre, where a lot of cloth is sold, but they do not have anything combining tartan AND wool...
I've taken a look at Pendleton, but I didn't find anything really interesting for me, maybe I searched the wrong way, I'll see next weekend.

I'll post a picture of my "costume" in he appropriate section if I can get one from my friends, just to see what you think of it !

**Pleater** · 26th February 13, 08:02 PM

As you have extra length - the great kilt should be 4 to 5 yards, having tried one out as a dressing gown this winter - I'd just fold the ends over a couple of feet each side and sew them down - maybe do a bit of quilting to keep the pieces aligned, so you have in effect 14 oz cloth for the aprons and maybe a couple of pleats each side. It will also be easier to handle than the longer length.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:
PS Mod wand waved and title corrected