USA kilts vs. Celtic Croft kilts

**Bugbear** · 30th December 07, 10:30 AM

I want to understand. USAK kilts (ARE NOT) being made with frindge hanging down from the botum edge of the kilt, right? On the kilts that have to use the frindged cloth, the bottem edge is hemmed, right?

billmcc · 30th December 07, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

I want to understand. USAK kilts (ARE NOT) being made with frindge hanging down from the botum edge of the kilt, right?

Correct. The fringe on the bottom edge of the kilt is made at the factory, not by USAK.

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

On the kilts that have to use the frindged cloth, the bottem edge is hemmed, right?

No, tthe bottom edge of the kilt is not hemmed.

**RockyR** · 30th December 07, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

I want to understand. USAK kilts (ARE NOT) being made with frindge hanging down from the botum edge of the kilt, right? On the kilts that have to use the frindged cloth, the bottem edge is hemmed, right?

No... we use the selvedge edge of the cloth (whether fringed OR kilting selvedge) as the bottom of the kilt for several reasons including cost (keeping costs down). If the tartan you want has a fringed selvedge and you'd like to have your kilt hemmed so it has a nice straight bottom edge, we can do that for an additional $5. Hope this clarifies.

**fluter** · 30th December 07, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

No... we use the selvedge edge of the cloth (whether fringed OR kilting selvedge) as the bottom of the kilt for several reasons including cost (keeping costs down).

thanks, Rocky!. That is good to know, and explains why some sites say the PV material requires a hem!

I guess I just got lucky on my first two USAKs: I didn't know about the selvedge.

**Bugbear** · 30th December 07, 11:18 AM

A frindged edge is interesting... I'm blind, so I wouldn't be able to go look at the pictures of the USAKs. I don't know how long the frindge is on this fabric, but it kind of sounds like a neat thing. The other day I was looking at a belted plaid that was frindged on all the edges and it looked kind of neat, but I'm guessing the frindge on the USAK is fairly short.
Thank you for clearing that up Rocky.

Originally Posted by RockyR

No... we use the selvedge edge of the cloth (whether fringed OR kilting selvedge) as the bottom of the kilt for several reasons including cost (keeping costs down). If the tartan you want has a fringed selvedge and you'd like to have your kilt hemmed so it has a nice straight bottom edge, we can do that for an additional $5. Hope this clarifies.

**fluter** · 30th December 07, 12:15 PM

Back to John's original question: If it's your family tartan, my guess is that you're going to want to dress it up on occasion. For that purpose, I think you'd be happiest with the USAK semi-trad. It will have more fabric, more pleats, and the traditional tailoring to which you're accustomed.

I also love my USAK casual, and I've certainly worn it with a coat and tie. It's designed as a low-rise kilt, so let Rocky know if you intend to wear a casual at high rise.

Either way, you'd love the PV fabric. It is really great for our southern climes, but has enough weight for the all-important swing.

Plus, it laughs at wrinkles, but the pleats are there to stay.

The Celtic Croft economy is made of their homespun material (see below), and it's a more or less "tubular" tailored kilt like the SWK economy or thrifty. See the description on their Web site, it'll work if your hips and waist are close to the same size. I have not seen/worn one.

Originally Posted by Alan H

It must be said that Celtic Croft DOES offer kilts in certain tartans that you can't get anywhere else without buying a tank. I've thought hard about ordering a box pleat from them in the Ulster tartan ...

I have a belted plaid in Celtic Croft's homespun poly-wool, and I love it for that application. I think it suits a belted plaid or phillabeg perfectly, as the finish is just a little rough and rustic. Were you looking at a phillabeg, or is there a box-pleat option that I've missed?

Come to think of it: John, consider a belted plaid from Celtic Croft. I'll bet it would look terrific on you! and it won't break the bank, either.

**Bugbear** · 30th December 07, 01:23 PM

Wow! So you (CAN) use PV fabric to make a belted plaid... For some reason I didn't think that would go over so well.

billmcc · 30th December 07, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

I don't know how long the frindge is on this fabric, but it kind of sounds like a neat thing.

The fringed selvedge on my USAK Casual is a uniform 3/8-inch in length. It doesn't look bad. It is just different. As its name suggests, the Casual kilt is intended for casual wear.

**Bugbear** · 30th December 07, 02:08 PM

Thank you for providing that information. Sounds like it would be kind of nice.

Originally Posted by billmcc

The fringed selvedge on my USAK Casual is a uniform 3/8-inch in length. It doesn't look bad. It is just different. As its name suggests, the Casual kilt is intended for casual wear.

**RockyR** · 30th December 07, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by billmcc

The fringed selvedge on my USAK Casual is a uniform 3/8-inch in length. It doesn't look bad. It is just different. As its name suggests, the Casual kilt is intended for casual wear.

That sounds about right, Bill... Most of the fringes (when there is a fringe) is between 1/4" and 3/8".