Great Kilts... 1 belt or 2?

**Droid** · 25th April 12, 11:57 AM

I've worm my belted plaid twice now, once with the plaid up over my shoulder, the second with the plaid rolled up and tucked in to the back of my belt, each way using the two belt method. Both ways were very comfortable.

I must be tall for a Scotsman, or, modern double width wool is shorter than the old stuff because, even with only one belt, I can't get the plaid over my head to form a hood. It will reach to my shoulders, but there is no way it can go up and over my head.

Here are pictures of the most recent wearing of the plaid during the Ren Faire Pub Crawl:

(That's my lady next to me in the second picture... I'm a lucky man)

The pleats are rounded and they don't lay flat. Am I pleating it wrong? Are the pleats to big? Too close together? I've watched many videos and read a few article, but, to me, I was doing exactly what I saw/read. Could it just be the newness of the material. And yes, I know, greens and purples were not as common thread colors as browns and reds back in the day, but, this is the only large yardage piece of wool I have.

Also, because of the weight of the pleats they kept hanging down lower than the front apron. I adjusted them a bunch on both occasions. Maybe I need a better inner belt. The first time I used a cloth belt (just a scrap piece of lightweight cotton) and the second time I used an actual leather belt.

**Woodsheal** · 25th April 12, 01:33 PM

Droid, if you're using your second belt over the material at your waist, you are pinning in place the length needed to go up over your head! Belted-plaids were not worn that way historically. If a second belt was used to hold sporran and dirk, it was worn just below the main belt (as with a modern kilt), or over the waistcoat well above the "pockets" of tartan at the waist. Modern double-width fabric should be plenty wide enough to form a hood. Don't "lock" it in place using a second (exterior) belt worn in the wrong place.

**Droid** · 25th April 12, 01:41 PM

As I mentioned in my post, I found the material to be too short even with only one belt. But, for future use, I'll make sure to put the second belt under the first and not over the folded pleats. Thanks for the tip.

I tried, while still at home, pulling the material up over my head and the pleats were pulled up to mid thigh... I don't mind the kilt riding just above the knee in warmer weather, but mid thigh was just too much.

**Woodsheal** · 25th April 12, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Droid

As I mentioned in my post, I found the material to be too short even with only one belt. But, for future use, I'll make sure to put the second belt under the first and not over the folded pleats. Thanks for the tip.

I tried, while still at home, pulling the material up over my head and the pleats were pulled up to mid thigh... I don't mind the kilt riding just above the knee in warmer weather, but mid thigh was just too much.

Is this 60" wide tartan? That's 5 feet! That should be enough to reach from your knees to over your head, unless you're some sort of giant.

**Dale Seago** · 25th April 12, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Is this 60" wide tartan? That's 5 feet! That should be enough to reach from your knees to over your head, unless you're some sort of giant.

It's 56" in double width -- he's wearing one of the "Unaussprechlichen Kilten" from Dalgliesh's special weaving of the R'lyeh Sett.

From Dalgliesh's site:

Our single and double width looms create tartans of around 29 inches (74cm) and 56 inches (142 cm) wide respectively.
(http://www.dcdalgliesh.co.uk/)

**Droid** · 25th April 12, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

It's 56" in double width -- he's wearing one of the "Unaussprechlichen Kilten" from Dalgliesh's special weaving of the R'lyeh Sett.

From Dalgliesh's site:

Yup... I'm 6.0' (72") and from the floor to the middle of my knee is about 18"... so the plaid would need to be 54" (4.5') to reach my head, and have another couple inches to go over the top... that explains it. Thanks Dale for the quote on the official length of their double width material.

The only reason I'm using the R'lyeh Sett for a great kilt is... that is all I have. I didn't have the funds to get a 5 yard knife pleated kilt made out of the stuff, so instead of just leaving on the shelf, I brought it out and used it.

**Dale Seago** · 25th April 12, 03:58 PM

Should still be fine to cloak your shoulders, I'd think. Invest in a Ryan Ross bonnet to go with it and you should be able to handle a pretty good rain if need be.

**Droid** · 30th April 12, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

Should still be fine to cloak your shoulders, I'd think. Invest in a Ryan Ross bonnet to go with it and you should be able to handle a pretty good rain if need be.

Yes, it is rather nice up over the shoulders. And, I do need to get a bonnet.

**Donald Ferguson** · 20th September 12, 08:12 PM

DROID if knife pleats are what your going for try steam ironing them. I've don't that with my great(with two belts) and most people commented on how nice and tailored it looked. Just lay it flat find your pleat lines and steam away......wool setting ofcourse.