4 yard kilt vs 5 yard kilt

[bonnie heather]

This kilt is a 6 yarder made for 46 - 47" hips. There are 15 pleats and each one is 1 5/8" wide.
I agree with Rocky about making a 5 , 5 1/2. or 6 yard kilt based on the person's size.

For the box pleated kilts that I make, I would increase the yardage from 4 to 5 yards for large sizes. I think most kiltmakers would do that.

[sydnie7]

This kilt is a 6 yarder made for 46 - 47" hips. There are 15 pleats and each one is 1 5/8" wide.
I agree with Rocky about making a 5 , 5 1/2. or 6 yard kilt based on the person's size.

For the box pleated kilts that I make, I would increase the yardage from 4 to 5 yards for large sizes. I think most kiltmakers would do that.

[OT] Wow, that's a handsome tartan! What's the name, Bonnie? [/OT]

[Tartan Tess]

sydnie7, that is Weathered Ulster I believe.

[bonnie heather]

I really like this one. It's Ulster Brown from D.C.Dalgliesh. Their site shows it as a stock tartan, Ulster (Dalgliesh) "ancient'.

[crash]

Yes, and you can "Add an extra Yard for more pleats and swing", if you like. Assuming you don't mind the increase in cost, I highly recommend doing so. I have both types and prefer the 5-yard kilts for the stated reasons.

And I did exactly that and am glad I did. I'm very happy with my B & S 5 yarder.

[Barb T]

I totally agree with Rocky - a well-made kilt in 4 or 5 yards by a careful kiltmaker is definitely not a "budget kilt". I routinely make 4, 5, and 6 yard kilts for people who want less fabric in their kilts for one reason or another. It doesn't make them cheap or lower quality, just different. If someone wants a lower yardage kilt from me, I typically suggest a box pleated kilt or a Kingussie kilt, both of which work really well with lower yardages.

But even if a customer picks a pleating style that is compatible with lower yardages (box, Kingussie, or wide knife pleats), the person's size plus the sett of the tartan dictates what's possible. 4 yards might work for an average guy, whereas the same kilt might require 5 or even 6 yards for a more substantial man.

And I should add that, at least for the kilts that I make, the interior construction and finishing details are the same regardless of the pleating style. So, most of use who make different kinds of high quality kilts charge a bit less for fewer pleats, but it's not much of a difference for labor costs.

[mookien]

Congratulations! You made an excellent choice. I hope we get to see the pics someday.

[BBNC]

As can be seen by the picture, I'm rather portly. On the order form, my kilt was listed as a 10 yard, knife pleated of 15 or 16oz wool hand-made by Dalgliesh, although I have no idea what the actual yardage is. It hangs and swings well and any creases caused by driving just seem to fall out.