Measurements and Splits

[raibeart_dubh]

Okay, I have my fabric and I am ready to make my first kilt. For all of the kiltmakers here, the following are my measurements and the splits I have worked out. Do these sound okay?

Measurements:
Waist- 41"
Hips- 45"
Length- 26"

Split:
Waist- 21" Apron 20" Pleats
Hips- 22" Apron 23" Pleats

[bonnie heather]

That sounds very good to me.
...Bonnie

[Barb T]

First thing I'd do is add 1/2" to both measurements. You'll put the buckles on at the actual measurements, but the extra half inch gives you a little wiggle room in case your pleats are a hair shy or if you expand a little.

For the splits, I'd go for:

waist: 21 1/2 apron; 20 pleats

hips: 22 1/2 apron; 23 pleats

Second thing is that the length measurement sounds _really_ long. When you add a 2" rise to that for the layout, you'll have a kilt that's 28" long overall. I've never made a kilt that long, even for someone who's over 6'4". I would double-check that length before I did anything else unless you are really, _really_ tall.

[raibeart_dubh]

First thing I'd do is add 1/2" to both measurements. You'll put the buckles on at the actual measurements, but the extra half inch gives you a little wiggle room in case your pleats are a hair shy or if you expand a little.

For the splits, I'd go for:

waist: 21 1/2 apron; 20 pleats

hips: 22 1/2 apron; 23 pleats

Second thing is that the length measurement sounds _really_ long. When you add a 2" rise to that for the layout, you'll have a kilt that's 28" long overall. I've never made a kilt that long, even for someone who's over 6'4". I would double-check that length before I did anything else unless you are really, _really_ tall.

Thanks for the advice on the splits, Barb! I will recheck my length. I have a made to measure kilt from Scotland that is that length and it fits great. I may have accidentally included the rise though so I'll double check. I am 6' 6" and most of my length is in my legs. I'm thinking 25" would be better, I have some off that rack kilts that are 24" and I have to wear them a tad low.

[Barb T]

Thanks for the advice on the splits, Barb! I will recheck my length. I have a made to measure kilt from Scotland that is that length and it fits great. I may have accidentally included the rise though so I'll double check. I am 6' 6" and most of my length is in my legs. I'm thinking 25" would be better, I have some off that rack kilts that are 24" and I have to wear them a tad low.

When you say that you have 24" kilts off the rack, is that measured from the top edge of the kilt to the bottom, or from the center of the apron edge buckle to the bottom? The measurement that you need to work with is the latter. How many inches is it from the center of the apron edge buckle to the bottom of your 24" kilts?

[raibeart_dubh]

When you say that you have 24" kilts off the rack, is that measured from the top edge of the kilt to the bottom, or from the center of the apron edge buckle to the bottom? The measurement that you need to work with is the latter. How many inches is it from the center of the apron edge buckle to the bottom of your 24" kilts?

Barb,

Checked my measurements again. My off the racks are 24" total. My made to measure is 24" from center of the buckle to the bottom edge. The total length plus the rise is 26". I will use 24" plus 2" for the rise. Thanks for your help!

[Barb T]

Glad to help! Would have been awful to go to all the trouble of making a kilt and discovering it was over 2" too long....!