pro's and con's of tartan cargo

[Canuck]

Due to consistent pressure to make a tartan kilt with cargo pockets I finally caved. The fact is it can be done.
Should it be done?
In my mind no. I have a number of reasons for saying so. Yes one can be an armchair critic and come to that conclusion right off the bat, however, unless you go through the steps and actually R&D it, one is just a critic.
I must say my customer was ecstatic, to put it mildly, with the end product, and I will admit it turned out rather well.


The pro to this kilt is that it has large pockets to store, carry whatever you wish within reason, and there’s only so much a sporran can take before it hangs below ones knees.
The easiest thing for me to do was to construct the kilt in the same manner as I construct my hemp and leather kilts in the RKilt original style. I’ve already figured out the apron design the placement of the pockets etc. Besides that’s what the customer wanted.
This should be a straight forward transfer, right? Well sort of. You now have to consider the sett, the width of the sett is it a double sett? Are you going to pleat to the strip or to the sett, waist band size, how the pockets will integrate with the pattern of the tartan.
I suppose one could pleat it to the nothing and that would take one factor out.
Lets deal with the pockets on their own, and the requirements. Right off the bat, you will need a yard of material. This just increased the price of your kilt another 60-$100 before you even made the pockets. It takes me a couple of hours just to make my standard cargo pockets. There’s an inner pocket an outer pocket and the base pocket and a flap. You will also need to line or interface them, to give it some body and strength. In total I spent about three hours making sure the pattern lined up laying out, and assembling the pockets In the end we just added about $200 to the cost of your kilt. Is this really worth it?
If you choose to have a 2” waistband, you may have to incorporate some darts to maintain that the tartan appears straight throughout the natural curve of the garment. Matching the belt loops at this stage of the game is OK for two but eight to ten, no way and especially with a wide waist band you either match that or the kilt itself.
The beauty of a traditional kilt with a full apron, is it’s timelessness to fashion. Your accessories, jackets, ties will indicate the fashion of the time more than a kilt will. This is another reason why I won’t build another tartan cargo kilt.
I made a gentleman happy, I was able to physically make and learn, a super experience all around.
(I will need lot’s of cash and a bottle of 15 year old single malt before making one again)

[Jock Scot]

As you have a satisfied customer, there is really nothing more to be said. I don't think that I will be racing to your door to persuade you to make me one, though.

[CMcG]

That's a nice looking kilt and I find the idea of a tartan cargo kilt interesting. That being said and all things considered, I would prefer a tank, please and thank you.

[longhuntr74]

That's simply awesome craftsmanship, Robert! Well done!! I can fully appreciate your insights on the difficulty in matching up the tartan and whatnot and agree that it's best to leave tartan for traditional kilts. I have one of your hemp kilts in this style on my "bucket list"...someday...someday!

[Redshank]

As you have a satisfied customer, there is really nothing more to be said. I don't think that I will be racing to your door to persuade you to make me one, though.

but Jock, think how many more cartridges you could carry up to the grouse butts

[Jock Scot]

but Jock, think how many more cartridges you could carry up to the grouse butts

Well actually, the loader carries the cartridges and the guns. I have a job to arrive at the butts carrying just myself!

[cessna152towser]

That's a fabulous looking kilt, but I take your point about a tartan cargo kilt being difficult and expensive to produce.

[mark.priest]

I understand your reasons for not wanting to do this again, but I must say its a very nice kilt! Excellent work.

[Panache]

Robert,

If the fellow that ordered it is happy then you have done well. Personally I do not like the look at all. However if those cargo pockets were detachable and made of matching leather with the straps, or a mixture of a solid complimentary color fabric and leather I think you just might have something that would be a workable blend between the traditional and the modern kilt.

But kudos to you for taking what the customer wanted and making it a reality.

Cheers

Jamie

[Canuck]

Robert,

snip... if those cargo pockets were detachable and made of matching leather with the straps, or a mixture of a solid complimentary color fabric and leather I think you just might have something that would be a workable blend between the traditional and the modern kilt.

snip
Cheers

Jamie

What best describes that removable pocket might indeed be a sporran...;)