New Tewksbury, Young M

[YoungMan]

Barb already posted some pictures of the pleating earlier this week. I just received the kilt yesterday in the mail so I wanted to add a few more photos and my own thoughts on my first tank.

I'm not a teaser so pics first!

I was so excited opening the box that I cut myself with the knife. Well worth a few drops of blood.


And, as I getting ready to toss out the box, what do I find? Matching flashes and a kilt passport!


The Front


The Back (I wanted something that I hadn't seen before with Young M. Barb delivered.)


The pleats (I was surprised at how deep they were)


You can't really see how large my hand is in the first one, so I figured this would give you an idea. The pleat next to my knuckles starts 4 pleats to the left.


Here it is laid out (Once again pictures dont do the lining justice. It's heavy duty.)



Although I've been a kilt wearer for a while, this is my first heavyweight tank. The transition is night and day.
Initial impressions:
1) Weight: I was just down right shocked. I know why it's called a tank now. Compared to the casual kilt I've worn before, it's a beast. It took a little time with it on to get used to the additional weight, then you kind of forget it's there until you take it off.

2) Stiching: Invisible. I struggled to find a stich line anywear on the kilt (pleats, lining, you name it). The idea that Barb did the whole thing by hand is just mind blowing.

3) Pleats: The pattern across the back was so exact, you wouldn't believe it was pleated until I moved and the swish kicked in.

Overall, there's no better way to say it, I'm impressed. The kilt fits like a glove on the tighter notches (I was down to 34 from 36/37 when I ordered it, and managed to knock off almost another inch and a half during production.) Which means I've plenty of room for the steady decline with age. I can't wait till I can get my full kit together and take her out on the town (are kilts female like boats?). I promise they'll be a full set of photos and the obligatory Hamish as soon I can get it all worked out.

Thanks again to Barb for such wonderful work. She was incredibly helpful with all the decisions and incredibly easy to work with. And based on this kilt, truly a master at her craft. I plan on wearing it with pride for decades to come. I'm also already mulling over ideas for a custom sporran. When someone makes you a work of art, you can't very well hang a Metallica poster next to it.

[Guinness>water]

Beautiful!!!
That is very nice!

[artificer]

I saw this in Barb's thread, it is a thing of beauty. The pleating choice is fantastic! Congratulations all around.

Now I would like to formally request a pleat-shot.

[Andy Ternay]

Magnificent kilt!

[cdarwin]

Absolutely brilliant kilt you have there, sir. Hats off to the kiltmaker for such a magnificent garment and congrats to you as its new owner!

[Woot22]

Awesome, one of the nicest looking kilts I have seen.

[GMan]

What a lucky gentleman you are.

[tulloch]

That is really beautiful. Congratulations.

[MacBean]

Yes, please, we want to see the pleats splayed out with you in them!

[azwildcat96]

First and foremost, that is a beautiful kilt!

I think it is brilliant that you've called the kilt "her" (similar to a boat/ship/sea-going vessel). I wonder how quickly that catches on around here? I believe I shall have to name my tank...Hmmm, now what to name her?

Finally, I do have to disagree with your comments about the Metallica poster. They are heavy metal royalty. In fact they were cultured enough to perform with the San Fransico symphony orchestra. Just saying...

By the way, did I mention that you have a fantastic kilt!!! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.