Question about the Great and Small

**ThinBlueLine** · 7th May 10, 07:11 AM

Hey all,

I am sure that this has been answered before but my tender ministrations upon the search feature have not yielded successful results.
Are the Great and Small kilts anything more than a length of tartan fabric? They appear to be simply a 30" wide piece of cloth (60" for the Great) that has been hand-pleated, wrapped, and belted on. Am I seeing the right thing or is there more to it?

**Ryan Ross** · 7th May 10, 07:17 AM

Nope, that's about it.

NOTE: Don't use more than 4-5 yards. Anything more will just drown you if you try to go swimming in it.

**ThinBlueLine** · 7th May 10, 07:37 AM

Ryan Ross,

Thank you much.

**Woodsheal** · 7th May 10, 08:55 AM

Woven tartan fabric came off the hand-loom around 27" wide. To form a plaid ("great kilt"), two lengths of fabric had to be sewn together length-wise to yield the finished width of around 54".
At some debatable point in history, the little kilt was derived simply by NOT sewing two lengths together, but only wearing one width of tartan. Not a difficult idea to come up with! It probably didn't take folks long to decide to stitch the pleats into place, either. Again, not a major innovative step, just common sense...!