A few neat "kilt" videos on British Pathe

**Alan H** · 16th September 13, 01:17 PM

Kiltmaking in the 1950's.

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/ki...ing/query/kilt

and in 1939

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/ki...ted/query/kilt

The second video shows in great detail the "ripping" of tartan, rather than cutting it, to the correct length!

British Pathe is a wonderful resource, for folks interested in UK history in the "photgraphy-enabled" and "movie-enabled" era...basically 1890 to the present.

**creagdhubh** · 16th September 13, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Kiltmaking in the 1950's.

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/ki...ing/query/kilt

and in 1939

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/ki...ted/query/kilt

The second video shows in great detail the "ripping" of tartan, rather than cutting it, to the correct length!

British Pathe is a wonderful resource, for folks interested in UK history in the "photgraphy-enabled" and "movie-enabled" era...basically 1890 to the present.

Yes, these are great videos Alan. I have used British Pathe's website quite extensively over the years. If you type in "kilt" in the search option, you'll get all sorts of wonderful, old videos...some are in colour too! It's definitely a superb resource for a wide array of topics. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,

**Elf** · 16th September 13, 01:36 PM

Yes interesting indeed. Especially interesting that ripping both lengths happens in one operation. Thank you.

**brewerpaul** · 16th September 13, 01:38 PM

It is always fun to visit British Pathe and view their wonderful collection of videos and newsreel footage. The footage on kilt making are always quite enjoyable and show well how much work goes into a kilt. Thanks for sharing.

**tulloch** · 17th September 13, 06:35 AM

Thanks for the links. Good stuff.

**Thomas H** · 17th September 13, 08:44 AM

they make it look so easy - great videos thank you for sharing this link .

**plaid preacher** · 17th September 13, 10:37 AM

I have to say the double ripping of the plaid was really interesting to watch. I'm afraid about ripping it at all, but they just dove right in ...and did you see the size of those scissors? They were massive. Especially when you consider that they rip the whole length.

**sydnie7** · 17th September 13, 12:39 PM

OMG look at her sliding that steamer around like an iron. Somebody call the pressing police!

**BLHS209** · 17th September 13, 04:11 PM

Ah, now I get it....

Been reading Barb's book and was kinda 'stumped' with the shaping of the apron. NOW, I understand. Thanks for the timely posting!!

**OC Richard** · 18th September 13, 04:27 AM

Those are fantastic!

About the 1952 clip, I would assume it was filmed at RG Lawrie, Glasgow, at the time one of the largest Highland Dress makers in the world. (They spelt it "Laurie" in the video's caption.)

The tartan looks like Balmoral, does it not? Perhaps we were seeing a Royal kilt being made!

About the 1939 clip, interesting that they pinned the pleats, which Thomas Gordon and Son did not. Goes to show that even with top Glasgow makers that there was no single right way to make a kilt. (They never say which shop it was filmed at, but since the shop obviously was in the process of filling a large MOD contract it would probably be Lawrie or one of the other big Glasgow firms.)

Elsie Stuehmeyer told me how she hated making the Army kilts because of the grass-green binding used round the top, the wool tape being so narrow that it was difficult to sew.

In both clips, and when I saw Elsie do it, it's amazing how quickly and effortlessly they make the chalk lines that determine the shape of the upper apron.