Great Kilts

**MizzouScotsman** · 21st April 13, 07:35 PM

Would anyone have or know where to find a pattern for a great kilt? I am looking into making one.

**kiltedrennie** · 21st April 13, 08:12 PM

It's not so much a pattern as a technique. Here's a link that explains it pretty well http://www.theweebsite.com/greatkilt/index.html. There are a few youtube videos as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CiS8oDbIxs and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBbg953p_Og.

I used a aprox. 50 inch wide by six yard long tartan to make mine. I think I had to trim some off the height to reduce the bulk a bit.

**Oberu** · 21st April 13, 08:30 PM

I don't know how I missed that youtube video! I like the bit towards the end on cold weather wear.. hadn't seen that one before but it looks like it would work quite nicely.

**MizzouScotsman** · 21st April 13, 08:36 PM

Thanks! I thought it was something that I was going to have to drag out a sewing machine for...lol

**MizzouScotsman** · 21st April 13, 09:50 PM

Ok, so now I have another question. Everything that I have watched and read, thanks again to Kiltedrennie, what length of cloth do I need? Some say 5-7 yards, some say 9. I am a gentleman of substance, losing some substance as I go, but still substance nonetheless. Just measure around the true waist? I know I'm sounding a lot like a noob but I truly want a great kilt and want to look respectable wearing it.

**Downunder Kilt** · 22nd April 13, 12:05 AM

You want about 4-5 yard double width for a regular sized person. ie 60" wide. There are instuctions on the web for putting in cheater pleats that incude having a drawsting at the waist. (helps with putting it on) Depending on how much a bigger guy you are, you may need 6 yards double width. Good luck in your project

**MizzouScotsman** · 22nd April 13, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

You want about 4-5 yard double width for a regular sized person. ie 60" wide. There are instuctions on the web for putting in cheater pleats that incude having a drawsting at the waist. (helps with putting it on) Depending on how much a bigger guy you are, you may need 6 yards double width. Good luck in your project

I am a bit larger so then I'm thinking about 6 yards. I usually wear my "jeans" close to or around my natural waist, near the belly button and the size is, depending on the material, a size 48 or 50. So maybe I'll shoot for 7 yards.

And thank you Downunder, I have three modern kilts but love the look of the great kilts and am dying to try one.

**kiltedrennie** · 22nd April 13, 10:28 AM

Best to start with more and then adjust. I have a 40" natural waist but belt it around my hips. It is about six yards I think but I'd have to double check to make sure. After messing around with pleating about six times I did run a cheater stitch along the waist. I added three belt loops to the backside and stitched "tube" belt from extra tartan so I could use it like a rope belt that would blend in. I needn't have bothered, the top portion drapes enough to hide the rope belt and an O-ring ren-fair belt goes over it anyway.

You will have to fiddle around with the fit as it tends to migrate a bit as you wear it. Especially if you get up/down from office chairs. I wore it several days to ren-fair and once to the office for a "What would you rather do/be" contest. My costume was actually stout - the mug and kilt just happens to go with the costume. Unfortunately, the stout had to be left at home.

Here's how it turned out.

**kiltedrennie** · 22nd April 13, 10:34 AM

Here's another resource. http://www.karen.htmlcreators.com/an...iltmaking.html

They suggest the following lengths:

The Great Kilt (Feileadh-Mhor)
60 inches wide by 4 and 1/2 yards (The "whole nine yards" of olden days when fabric widths were typically 30 inches.)
60 inches wide by 4 yards - up to 34 inch waist
60 inches wide by 5 yards - up to 44 inch waist
60 inches wide by 6 yards - up to 50 inch waist