Help Help! I've Fallen Into a Pile of Kilts and Can't Get Out!

Every year, I go to the Renaissance Faire and have a grand old time dressing up and parading around with my friends.

This year is the first year I'm going with my boyfriend and his best friend, and they both want Great Kilts (the kind that drape over your shoulder, ala Braveheart)! Because I'm the crafty member of our group of friends, they asked me to make them.

Normally, I'm very good about making and modifying things from the internet through tutorials. I've found sites that show me how to wrap it and what the final product should look like, but I can't seem to find one on the actual making of the kilt.

Should it be hemmed? How Much?
Is there an unsuitable/more suitable kind of plaid?
What details am I unaware of?

Help!

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5 replies since 28th February 2011 • Last reply 28th February 2011

Reply #1:

I would hem it about an inch around to prevent fraying
are they scottish? maybe try to match clan name

look for kilt fabric, its heavy

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Reply #2:

They're German and Russian respectively, so I doubt I can really match a clan tartan to them. I'm probably just going to go with whatever colors they like (sans neon and other inappropriate colors).

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Reply #3:

go with a darker fabric, nothing bright

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Reply #4:

and don't forget pasiley is scottish too!

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Reply #5:

Paisley prints are actually Indian, but originally produced for westerners in Scotland.

Pick a plaid that is mostly Red or Green or Blue. There should be little to no white in the plaid. (Lots of white in a tartan is considered "dress tartan" and really only for weddings or funerals.) You should be able to Google tartans... try Stuart or MacIntosh or MacLeod or Campbell for some images of the right kind of plaid.

Tartan fabrics are usually made a standard width, so the selvages would make the waist and hem already secure. If you're using regular fabric, a 1 inch hem is correct.

(Sorry if I sound like a know-it-all, I had to research all this stuff for a production of Brigadoon years ago and it stuck.)

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