My first kilt

**MacSpadger** · 11th January 11, 03:06 AM

I managed to get a bolt of surplus Ministry of Defence 18oz MacKenzie/Seaforth tartan for a silly price, following the amalgamation of the Scottish regiments.

I made my own kilt, as below, following the instructions from Chris Eyre's excellent website. I don't have a sewing machine, everything was done by hand. Given the choice, I probably wouldn't have set out to use 18oz cloth for my first attempt, but I couldn't say no to a bolt for less than £100.

I found it easier to plait to the stripe.

Next I decided to make a full piper's plaid. This involved minimal sewing, but the pressing and making the fringes was really tedious.

(Yeah, I know my sporran is riding too high, there's a reason for that, a broken strap on route).

I still have some fabric left, and have just started cutting the pattern for my first go at hand sewing a waistcoat, which will take a while but has to be less intensive than making an 18oz kilt.

**Downunder Kilt** · 11th January 11, 03:14 AM

Looking good there MacSpadger, and to my eye the kilt is sitting very nicely.
Congatulations on a fine effort. Cheers

**BoldHighlander** · 11th January 11, 03:20 AM

Originally Posted by MacSpadger

Given the choice, I probably wouldn't have set out to use 18oz cloth for my first attempt, but I couldn't say no to a bolt for less than £100.

Wonderful job for a first attempt!
I only wish I could do so well

**gpmeakin** · 11th January 11, 03:50 AM

Very nice MacSpadger

**Whidbey78** · 11th January 11, 04:10 AM

That was your first one?? Well done Sir.

**Llwyd** · 11th January 11, 05:08 AM

Wish my first looked that good...it's wearable..but that rocks!

**Oddern** · 11th January 11, 05:53 AM

The Kilt looks great. Welcome to the DIY obsession. Do post pics of your waistcoat project.
Skål!

**piperdbh** · 11th January 11, 06:06 AM

Good work, all around! Were you in the Seaforths?

I made a waistcoat a little over a year ago, and may I suggest that you borrow a sewing machine to make yours? It will work up much faster and save your fingers from needless blisters and callouses.

**MacSpadger** · 11th January 11, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Were you in the Seaforths?

No, the Seaforths ceased to exist in 1961, Ah'm nae that auld!

but I was in a band for quite a few years that was formed by ex-Seaforths pipers and used old Seaforths kit. For band duties I previously wore an ex-army 22oz kilt supplied by the band, with a 1954 date stamp. On top of the weight, the kilt was box pleated. It was just too thick for summer wear. 18oz seems light weight in comparison.

I am not with that band any more, but when I actually started making the kilt, I was.

It took me 9 weeks, doing a bit at a time.

Even if I was to borrow a sewing machine, I would not have a clue what to do with it. I am quite happy to hand sew, even if the fingers suffer for a few days afterwards.

**Mike_Oettle** · 11th January 11, 11:21 AM

A fine job, McSpadger, if I may say so!
And I would think that 18oz would be considerably lighter.
You may want to hang onto the 22oz for when it snows, though! (Don’t have such problems where I live

)
Regards,
Mike