New SWK Ireland National and Nightstalker

[fluter]

Nice pics! What style is it? I'm trying to get an idea of what the different SWK styles are like, if they are at all different.

Mr. MacDougall had a nice write-up on the SWK thrifty, standard, and heavyweight, see search result.

I have one each of the thrifty, economy, standard, and heavyweight. Let me see if I can make a useful comparison. Note that the construction may have changed over time, I'm just comparing one sample of each sort.

The thrifty and economy are constructed similarly; I believe that SWK is phasing out the economy in favor of the thrifty at its very attractive price point. The thrifty is closed with Velcro strips, while the economy had 3 straps/buckles.

Both are made from acrylic fabric, of similar weight. In a size medium (34-37) for the thrifty, and 34 for the economy, they contain close to 4.5 yards of fabric, perhaps 13 feet plus a smidgen.

Their pleats are not sewn down from waist to the fell-line (hips). Basically they are made to be "cylindrical" with the waist size as circumference. Assuming that your hips are larger, the pleats will open to accomodate them. In a thread Some assembly allowed.....SWK, perldog007 and I outlined our adventures in sewing down the pleats of an economy model. I have not yet tried this with the thrifty, it's tentatively pinned up and awaiting some further calculation.

Classic traditional kilts have 2 "different" pleats around the aprons: on the wearer's left-hand side, the first pleat is deeper than the other knife pleats; I'm no expert, but I think it's often called the "large pleat?" On the right, there is a "reverse pleat" after the last knife pleat. Both of these features help facilitate movement, etc.

My thrifty model does not have either. My economy has the reverse pleat on the right, but the first pleat is about the same as the others. It works well for me; I have not worn the thrifty as much, but so far I think it'll give similar results.

The standard and heavyweight SWK's are also similar to each other. The standard's fabric is acrylic, which (to me) feels a little heavier than the thrifty/economy. The heavyweight is wool---some models (Black Watch) are listed as merino wool. I have not examined one, but in other garments merino has a luxuriously soft feel.

Both of these models have a deep(er) first pleat, and a reverse pleat. Both are tapered from waist to fell, with the pleats sewn down in the traditional way. In size 32, they have about 17 feet of fabric, pushing 6 yards. For a slightly larger person, it'd easily top 7 yards.

I think the Irish Nat. is the route for me, my inlaws are first generation Irish and I'm the first non Irish guy in the family. I think they'd like that

Both of the Ir* National tartans are nice. From the pix I've seen, I like both. I would choose by fabric and price between SWK and USAK. Good deal either way. I'd love it if SWK had it in wool! but I don't think that's in the cards.

My SWK thrifty is the Irish National, and the post cited above has a picture of it. They did a really nice job of pleating to the sett!

[GG]

Very nice!

No belt, knife, flashes or hose as of yet, but Christmas approaches.]

And question is: How much, after all, do you need? I'm just referring to another thread: Can you be overkilted?

Greg

[Riverkilt]

Hmmm, I have an Ireland's National tartan semi-traditional kilt from Rocky and a Irish National tartan baja/hoodie...maybe I should try wearing them together...take a picture....show the difference...if the camera didn't self-destruct from the confusion...hmmmm.....




The mind boggles....

Ron

[OFCJAX]

I'm not planning on looking like a piper.

[Amoskeag]

Thanks so much, Fluter. That's pretty much what I was looking for. If SWK is truly discontinuing the economy line I probably should grab the one in my size quickly. The sewing hints are also appreciated as I'm no stranger to needle and thread (years of historical reenacting and music). Tweaking is a mandatory part of any pursuit.

Hmmm, I have an Ireland's National tartan semi-traditional kilt from Rocky and a Irish National tartan baja/hoodie...maybe I should try wearing them together...take a picture....show the difference...if the camera didn't self-destruct from the confusion...hmmmm.....

Oh Yeah, you really should! Most of my historical stuff is from the mid 19thC., a place where you can never have "too much tartan". I mean, obviously we are not a shy bunch of people and this site has certainly opened my stuffy, old, traditionalist eyes quite a bit

Bob

[OFCJAX]

Updated 12/2/07

[Streetcar]

It all looks great! Wear it with Pride!

[Bugbear]

Good looking kilt, and you can't beat that price.