A Great Kilt, sort of

**Graham** · 8th April 11, 08:50 AM

Hi all,
I have a medieval feast coming up and wanted to be hysterically, sorry, historically correct and wear the Great kilt.
I have a small kilt in the "Braveheart" tartan, which is a really nice and earthy tartan, and thought that I might cheat and buy a length of the same tartan to provide the upper half.
I bought a length of the tartan from Celtic Croft and hoped to get advice from them, nothing so far.

I'm not having great success so far tucking the upper section into the lower and was wondering if anyone else has tried this.
Frankly, I am beginning to wonder if it may have been better to do it right with a single length of tartan, but I'm trying to work with what i have.

does this make sense?

**Chirs** · 8th April 11, 09:45 AM

What size is the 'top' piece? "A length" is a little vague.

**Woodsheal** · 8th April 11, 10:14 AM

Matt has accomplished this with a 2 yard, double width piece:

http://www.newhousehighland.com/plaid1.html

**madmacs** · 8th April 11, 11:57 AM

You could probably acheive a similar effect if you have the fabric, by running a hem along one edge and using a rope or a belt through it and pinning the top 2 corners as suggested...

**Graham** · 8th April 11, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Chirs

What size is the 'top' piece? "A length" is a little vague.

yes, sorry, just over 3 yards.

I just got a reply from Celtic Croft:
First lay you kilt on the ground spread out with the inside facing up then place your extra piece of tartan down over lapping the pre made kilt buy at least half. Then pleat the extra piece so it somewhat matches the premade kilt. Slip a belt underneath at the waist, then lay down with the extra piece at your shoulders and the pre made at your bottom and then like you would standing up put your kilt on while laying down and when you stand up take the extra part and take it over your shoulders and pin it how you would like. We made it longer so then it doesn’t slip out when you are walking around.

I shall try this, in hindsight I think it would be easier to just buy a full size piece of tartan and hand pleat and fold the traditional way.

**Graham** · 8th April 11, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Matt has accomplished this with a 2 yard, double width piece:

http://www.newhousehighland.com/plaid1.html

Yes, that looks good on Matt, guess I am looking for more of a "Rob Roy" or "Braveheart" look. The dinner will be attended by a bunch of rough characters wearing swords and such.
Should be fun!

**Chirs** · 8th April 11, 04:21 PM

Okay, have you done it yet? And the pictures are.... where? coming? not in focus? What?! WHERE ARE THE PICTURES?!!!

Okay, now that that is off my chest, the method you outlined was the one I had in mind. Be sure that you follow both the inner and outer aprons or the look won't be right.

And there need to be pictures.