Wearing a kilt is an exciting experience, particularly in Scottish events. People often need to appreciate the workers and heroes behind this craft. So, to appreciate their effort, you need to experience the process of making a kilt. Here, we will tell you how to make a kilt. How to Make a Kilt for a Man –
Remember, achieving something instantly is difficult, so you must work hard and remain patient. Practice again and again to save your time if you want to make a kilt yourself. Repeating the same process twice or thrice will give you an actual kilt. Let us introduce kilts first and then process to make kilts.
Understand A Kilt
A kilt is a part of Scottish attire that has become their cultural identity. Invented in Scotland, it started getting admiration from different regions as well.
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The first edition of kilts was the tartan kilt, which appeared in the 16th century. The upcoming eras witnessed various transformations and shapes. Moreover, kilts are available in different types nowadays. How to Make a Scottish Great Kilt
- The Great Kilts
- Sport Kilts
- Military Kilts
- Casual Kilts
- Modern Kilts
- Utility Kilts
How To Make A Kilt?
Making something for the first time is always challenging. You need to practice it repeatedly for perfection. Likewise, you need to work and be patient while making a kilt. Rushing to become an expert leaves you at a loss. So, understand everything and then start crafting your kilt.
Before you start the process, get some tools like measurement tape, scissors, belt loops, buckles, and straps. Having these essentials will make the process smooth and save you time.
Choose The Fabric
The first and foremost step while making a kilt is to choose the tartan. As discussed earlier, people are known to have a specific tartan that connects them to a clan.
These people share almost 20% of Scotland’s population. If you are from them, choose the tartan accordingly.
No problem if you belong to the rest of the people and don’t know what clan you follow. Use the tartan database system or check your family tree; it will help you find your clan or the tartan. If you are still confused, don’t worry since there is another solution. There are some universal tartans that everyone can wear.
Get The Accurate Measurement
We already told you to keep some essentials with you. Pick the tape and get an accurate measurement of yourself. Getting help from somebody is better because doing it alone might be challenging and increases the chances of mistakes.
This is a prime step since your comfort level while wearing a kilt depends on it. A bit of carelessness can be costly. Start measuring from the waist. Get your size from the top of the hip bone in a standing posture, leaving your body free.
Measure your seat/hips. This measurement is often loose from the waist and above the jeans. Be sure your pockets are empty since a short mismeasurement can make your efforts useless.
The final calculations also need some concentration. It is to measure your knee length. Hold the measuring tape at the waistband and take it to the middle of the kneecap. Ensure you have taken all the measurements carefully and noted them on paper.
Make The Pleats
It’s time to discuss the technical and practical work of making pleats. What are pleats? They are the foldings on the backside of your kilt and sometimes on the side of kilts to ease the movement.
You must have seen the cards expended on a deck. Kilt pleats look the same. Take the tartan and start making pleats with appropriate measurements.
While making pleats, you must fold them first. Each folding should be 8 inches with double pleated tartan. Sew the pleats with a blind stitch. Begin from the hip. The distance between the edge and the thread should be half an inch.
When you’re finished, position the kilt to expose the upper portion. Three threads should be used to pass through this material. Approximately ten stitches per inch will result from this. Cut out any extra material from your pleats once you’re finished sewing. Your kilt will have a lovely shape as a result.
Attach A Waistband
When you finish making kilt pleats, the next step is to create a waistband. You need a matching tartan to make it. Get a piece of tartan. Be careful when getting tartan for length; it must be according to the size of the apron from its top edge. Attach it to the kilt after its preparation.
Sew The Lining
The process of making a kilt has gotten up to the waistband, so now it’s time to attach the lining. Do you know what is lining? The lining is a protection made of cloth and works as a soft obstacle between the kilt and your skin to prevent you from any itching or other displeasure.
Get a piece of duck cloth or cotton to make the lining. Make three sections of it, and every section must be according to the size of your waste. Now, wrap these duck cloth linings and sew them all. Fix them properly and stitch them from the upper side only.
Add Leather Straps
Have you attached the lining to the inner side of the kilt? That’s great! You need leather straps to fasten the kilt. Kilts usually have 3 straps, 2 on one side and 1 on the other. They are adjustable in size.
So, how to add leather straps? Your straps should be according to your waist length. Sew them inside the kilt. Make some holes in the straps to fasten them.
Utility Kilt And Its Formation
In the beginning, the kilts were made for warriors. Later, they started facing transformations, and utility kilts appeared. These kilts are mostly worn by players and other people who preferably work in the outer atmosphere. They have additional features like flexible pleats and pockets to store essentials.
Making a utility kilt is challenging for the new people. However, you need some practise and expertise. Here are some steps to make a utility kilt:
- Start with getting the measure yourself with the help of a friend. Doing alone has a chance of mistakes.
- Gather all the necessary tools and accessories while making a utility kilt.
- Exactly measure the fabric or tartan you have to buy to make a hybrid kilt.
- Start the technical work by making pleats. Figure out the pleat type you need for your utility kilt. Understand the dissimilarities between pleats. It will help you decide whether you need a wide or a tight measurement.
- A waistband is necessary for kilts, whether a traditional, utility, or hybrid kilt.
- Utility kilts do not have a specific number of buttons. Some kilts have 4, some have 6, and some may have even more buttons. Choose the buttons you need to add to utility kilts and sew them.
- What makes the utility kilt different from many other kilts? Its pockets! How can we end up making a utility kilt without adding pockets? Add pockets to the kilts using the same piece of fabric.
- Now you are done with making a utility kilt. You are free to wear it and participate in the activities.
Hybrid Kilts And Tips To Make Them!
Hybrid kilts are an advanced form of utility kilts. This specific kilt type is the combination of innovation and practicality. Hybrid kilts are the revised version of utility kilts made of two coolers.
These shades can be from the same or different fabrics. Like utility kilts, these attires are not easy to make but can still be made with proper attention and care. Here is the simple process to make hybrid kilts:
- First, measure your waist since it helps you know how much fabric is required.
- Calculate the fabric you need now and cut it accordingly.
- Make pleats the next. It is your choice to decide the number of pleats. The more the pleats, the easier the movement will be.
- Measure your waistband length and attach it to the kilt. Besides, do not ignore adding the belt loops. They are the important parts of the hybrid kilts.
- Add straps and buttons next.
- Since hybrid kilts are the advanced form of utility kilts, how can you finish their formation process without adding pockets? Attach the pockets.
- The process of making a hybrid kilt ends here, and you are good to go.
Conclusion
A kilt is a part of traditional Scottish attire. We see people wearing them, but we need to consider people’s efforts while crafting kilts. To experience this process, we told you some common steps and asked you to follow them. Remember, kilt-making might be difficult for you. Following these guidelines, you can now easily make the kilts. How to Make a Kilt for a Man – A Beginners Guide – 2025
