WWI Historical Kilt Question

[Bugbear]

I have to wonder how machine stitched pleats can be handmade?

By taking your hands, folding the pleat along the mark, then guiding it through the sewing machine I guess...

Any way, that was just where the mention of the khaki kilt and Black Watch got me looking for the answers to my questions.

I just wanted to know about these khaki kilts in WWI.

[Jock Scot]

A Good and interesting question there Ted. I don't know the answer either.

[Bugbear]

A Good and interesting question there Ted. I don't know the answer either.

There does seem to be something to this, Jock, as Todd said, and it was partly a matter of not having enough materiels and resources to make the Black Watch tartan kilts.

The funny thing is that the original quote about the canvas kilts that I posted is probably a mistake on the web page. I think the canvas kilt aprons probably were the inspiration for those Buzz Kidder kilts, but that isn't what the quote says.


Anyway, there does seem to be some kind of khaki and oliv drab pattern or tartan involved with this.

[slohairt]

I have heard mention before of a khaki based tartan used by the Canadian forces in World War I, but I've never seen it.

On a somewhat related note, if you are interested in khaki tartan, there is also the Tyneside Scottish (Khaki):

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=4176

[Bugbear]

I have heard mention before of a khaki based tartan used by the Canadian forces in World War I, but I've never seen it.

On a somewhat related note, if you are interested in khaki tartan, there is also the Tyneside Scottish (Khaki):

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=4176

Yes, that's an interesting tartan too, and from the same time period. Thanks for bringing that up, slohairt; I requested the thread count and will look it over.

It seems like I remember reading something about that tartan being used deu in part to a shortage of the colors for the Black Watch tartan; it does say it is based on the Black Watch tartan at that link. I don't know for sure though.



The Canadian tartan may have been used, in part, for the same reason, and it is an interesting, though understandable theme.
* Hmmm, the Tyneside tartan thread count seems to be only black and khaki; I didn't realize that. Sounds very nice though. *

[MarkMcM]

That Tyneside Scottish tartan would make a great hunting kilt. Hmmmm....

[macwilkin]

I have heard mention before of a khaki based tartan used by the Canadian forces in World War I, but I've never seen it.

On a somewhat related note, if you are interested in khaki tartan, there is also the Tyneside Scottish (Khaki):

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=4176

That's the tartan I was referring to in my earlier post. (The Canadian tartan, not the Tyneside "Sandbag".) I'll try to post what information there is about it soon.

T.

[Bugbear]

Thanks, Todd.

That's what makes this interesting, I have not come across much discussion of this tartan, and the story behind it. It does appear to be exclusive to the Canadian forces, from what little information I have found, and only used in WWI. I don't know that for sure, though.

[macwilkin]

Thanks, Todd.

That's what makes this interesting, I have not come across much discussion of this tartan, and the story behind it.

Same here, Ted. I first saw the artist's depiction of the tartan in the aforesaid book, but I haven't been able to track down much else about it.

T.

[Bugbear]

Well, at least this does clear up a couple of things, Todd.

So as a note:

After looking at several other sites, it does appear that the statement:


"Inspired by the khaki kilts issued to the Tenth Battalion Black Watch Regimen during WWI, Buzz Kidder's Celtic Shoppe created the Canvas Kilt, a popular
and practical alternative to a tartan kilt. The 10-oz. Army duck canvas kilt is sewn in the traditional style, with handmade pleats that are fully machine-stitched
for easy maintenance and durability."
From buzzkidder.com:

Is a mistake. Other sites state that it was the canvas kilt aprons that inspired this kilt.

I guess this boils down to the canvas kilt being an American creation inspired by things seen in WWI. In a way I wanted to make sure this canvas kilt is not Highland attire, but strictly American attire. It looks like that is the case.

The Khaki tartan and it's story happened to be an interesting offshoot, and hopefully more information on it will pop up in the future.