What kind of kilt?
The first thing to decide is what kind of kilt you want. Basically, do you want a modern looking kilt, or are you going for a more historical great kilt sort of thing. Confused already?Here's a bit of history of the kilt and great kilt in Scotland. The history of the tartan itself is also available.
There are some other essays on the historic kilt, as well:
- History of the tartan and History of the kilt -- very interesting links.
And, of course, there is the obligatory controversy over whether the Great Kilt ever really existed outside of Hollywood movies, or was adopted as a reason to show off Mel Gibson's legs. Hmmmm. Might not be a bad reason, at that. And an essay on the kilt as a recent invention.
A Great Kilt
Also called a philamore or breacan feile. Pretty simple, really -- just a long (up to 6+ yards) piece of double wide (up to 60") tartan material that is pleated, then wrapped around the body and secured with a belt. There is no sewing involved. The excess is used as a cloak, wrap, sash, sarong, suitcase, whatever.In most cases, this is not the kind of kilt you'll see wandering around in the streets. It's far more likely to be worn for costume purposes at an SCA event or Renaissance festivals when the theme is a bit more medieval.
A great kilt is usually worn a fair bit shorter than a modern kilt, which often runs almost down to calf length. A pretty standard length is just to the knee.
Well, what do I do with this thing? Wrapping a Great Kilt
A Little Kilt
This is the more familiar pleated and sewn garment often seen today, in various versions in pipe bands, formal occasions of state, or as casual dress. Made of several yards of pleated wool, a little kilt has the pleats sewn down for the first few inches, so the kilt swings from mid-thigh, to roughly knee length, or slighly below.In most kilts, the pleated section of the kilt, when laid flat, will have the same pattern as the whole cloth - the plaid is carefully matched so the pleats are invisible. This is called "pleating to the sett". In some cases, the pleating will be done so that a single line of color is displayed for each pleat, called "pleating to the stripe". This is most often done in military dress. c o m m e n t s t o p h o u k a @ f r i i . c o m