One Year On

[bookish]

I just saw an email that I have been a member of this forum for one year today.

What have I acheived in one year? In that time, I have ordered a lot of tartan, and have yet to do much with it. I have a worktable that is almost ready to assemble. I only lack a final planing, sanding, and attaching to the table base that I have already assembled.

I have started to build my kilt "capsule wardrobe." With two 8-yard kilts in hand, one of which needs alteration, and a 4-yard kilt, I have enough kilts to have a nice weekend outing, or to work in while sitting at a desk in my home office.

I have a nice contemporary kilt jacket and waistcoat in barathea for formal business attire, an ex-hire tweed jacket and waistcoat in navy for daywear, an exhire jacket that is too wide in the shoulders (a future alteration project), and an exhire waistcoat that doesn't match the jacket it came with. So, let that be a lesson - exhire sets don't always match.

I have 3 sporrans, now. One was inexpensive, and though I thought it would be made in Scotland, it wasn't. It's still attractive, black leather to match so many things, but the leather front and back are quite rigid, and there is no lining. One was purchased second-hand - a dress sporran with an enameled cantle whose style I haven't seen in all the shops, and it is quite nice. And, the third was bought from Margaret Morrison so that I could have a brown leather option. It is quite lovely with soft leather front and back, and lined in red suede.

I have 3 sets of kilt hose. One is middle gray, made of more wool than acrylic, but I aspire for more natural fibers in my clothes. 2 pair are shooting socks, really, but made of merino wool. One is a deep red, not quite maroon, and one is navy blue.

Plus, one balmoral bonnet.

I've a ways to go in gathering all that I deemed "minimal" for that wardrobe. I will have an 8-yard kilt of my tartan, as well as a 5-yard kilt, and plaid, and that will probably allow me to wear a kilt every day. I'd like one more tweed jacket and waistcoat, two 5-yard kilts, and some evening wear, but I know this is not an inexpensive wishlist.

In the meantime, I appreciate the discussions of history - both of tartan and fashion - as well as the varying opinions, and the comraderie of sharing this experience of being a kilt enthusiast. Whether I get compliments for my kilts (often), or jeers (rarely), I feel confident and know that the people who care about me enjoy my kilted exploration (though, not as much as I do).

I've practiced hand stitching, but haven't applied it. I hope to overcome that hurdle and to make my first kilt.

Here's to another year to come, and to all of you who make this journey more interesting with your shared research and experience.