May I brag a bit?

That was interesting. Here I was thinking that when everyone got sick of looking at haggis on the family table, some genius came up with the idea of using the stomach to make a bladder for a "musical" instrument. That might also explain why it sounds like a sheep that has gotten a tender part clamped in a tight place.......

There are plenty of sites for re-enactors that give instructions for making a kilt. What you need to be wary of with them is HEMS! Proper kilts DO NOT have a hem. The tartan is exactly the same weave right to the edge, and there is no hem turned up. Length is determined from the top edge. This is why on a proper kilt the pleats are so sharp all the way down and why they hang to well. Also be wary of any instructions that tell you to reduce the bulk at the waist and hip by cutting the backs of the pleats off! This will just leave you with a very weak structure that is horribly liable to fraying away to nothing.

You'll need to be doubly careful as and when she acquires hips, too! Kilts are man clothing, and getting the larger differential between hip and waist with all those pleats can be fun, as you really ought to shave a bit off at every pleat, rather than at the 4 places we usually put darts, and two side seams (which don't exist on a kilt!)

But once you have your instructions and your cloth (I suggest a lighter weight wool [not a mixture: they don't hang correctly], 10-12 oz rather than the bullet proof 14 oz!), what you need most is a nice long heat-proof table, lots of patience, and a good straight eye! Oh, and a good heavy iron!

Shout if you want me to dig out some instructions. And some proper tartan weavers...

I LOVE bagpipe music, but it has to be the right sort... I love our massed military bands, and the occasional (very good!) lone piper. For some seriously good bagpipe music, you need to go to the Edinburgh Tattoo.

Surely there is no such thing as the right sort of bagpipe music?? My husband adores bagpipes and goes to watch the Tattoos when they are in Sydney. He has no trouble obtaining a single seat - last time he sat next to someone whose partner loathed the instruments too! The only time I will listen to bagpipes without complaining is on windy roads in the car - for some reason it makes our daughter laugh and takes her mind off being car sick. The music is verboten at other times.

I th>

Pogonip wrote in news:44bc9613$ snipped-for-privacy@news.bnb-lp.com:

what's the difference between a haggis & a bagpipe? .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. if you boil a bagpipe long enough it's edible lee

Bagpipes are much like accordians. Tolerable at a distance. Sometimes, even pleasant.

A few years ago, my DH and I went to dinner at a local restaurant, and the big mouth that he is, he mentioned to the waiter that it was my birthday. After a lovely dinner, the waiter brought a delicious dessert, but arrived at our table with an accordian player at his heels. The man played to me. In my right ear. At length. Interminably.

Since this first one will be for a growing girl(she's 10), the competition rules allow for a hem. We haven't yet decided on the depth, but with such a large investment in time and $$$ I'd like to be sure she can wear it for at least three years. I realize a true kilt has the selvedge edge as the hem, I just don't think that's practical for a youngster.

Hmmmm, several of the sites and one of the books I have looked at all recommend trimming some of the excess fabric from the back of the pleats in the upper stitched down area. Since that entire area is lined with a sturdy lining fabric, I thought it made perfect sense:

the book: we will probably go to: for fabric, straps and buckles, hose, ghillies, and the buttons and trim for the jacket/vest. They have what appear to be pretty good patterns for the latter: I will have to have this book:http://216.71.156.105/art_kiltmaking.html> You'll need to be doubly careful as and when she acquires hips, > too! Kilts are man clothing, and getting the larger > differential between hip and waist with all those pleats can be > fun, as you really ought to shave a bit off at every pleat, > rather than at the 4 places we usually put darts, and two side > seams (which don't exist on a kilt!) Oh, Kate, I know about this! In high school mumble years ago,

*reversible* kilted skirts by Pendleton were all the rage here. I couldn't afford the real deal, so I made mine. I learned early on how to taper *every* pleat except the front two or three (and maybe the center back) in order to shape the hip-to-waist differential.

Blair's dance teacher will have the final authority on the cloth, but I think she has recommended 10oz. Nice because those tartans are *slightly* less expensive than the heavier ones. I have a press, so it'll be getting lots of use.

Apparently in the more advanced levels of competition, the girls are judged about equally on their skills and the authenticity of their attire. Fortunately at the novice/primary levels the kilt doesn't have to be *absolutely* authentic. But that will come later....

Thanks, I may just take you up on that in the future. For now, we are assured that the fabrics available at

are sufficient, and they are within easy driving distance.I am *so* looking forward to making these outfits. NAYY with any of the sites I provided links to,

Beverly

ROTF,LOL! We were seriously considering having the groomsmen in kilts, and hiring a piper for DD's wedding two years ago. There's just something so moving about a solo bagpipe. I'm not the least bit religious, but I love "Amazing Grace" played on a bagpipe. Sadly the cost was prohibitive, we hired a pianist instead.

Aaaargh! I do sympathize.

Beverly

I'm with you. I find bagpipes moving, somewhat melancholy, and I'd just *love* to come to Edinburgh. When? ;-)

Beverly

Tsk! Now I have to clean espresso off of the monitor!

Beverly

Oooo, I did that many years ago, and it was truly splendid! My most favorite, though, was standing alongside the street when the massed bands marched down from the Royal Mile past the museum and toward the Scott monument at the Prince (?) Street intersecton.. The drums echoing, the pipes all playing, the drummers wearing leopardskin regalia - it still takes my breath away remembering it.

I understand the strategy of taking pipe bands to war. Hearing them come at you would put the fear in you, all right. Sharon

How lovely, Bev, and congratulatons to your DGD. Highland dances are very demanding. Would love to see them. We don't have any around my neighborhood, so I envy you all. Our church celebrates a Scottish Communion every June, and it's the closest I can get to kilts or pipes these days. Will she be competing any more this summer? Sharon

I second the request for pix. There is no end to the challenges you undertake (vests and jackets).

I have a kilt - made of a a district (Lochaber) tartan, but sadly, I don't fit it any more. Every now and then I take it out and remember. Sharon

LOL. Thanks for the laugh.

It's actually better to make the hem at the top, where it gets hidden by the waist finish! That's the way tailors in Scotland often do it. The stitching down of the pleats just gets released and the waist turn-over reduced for the needed length, and the hem stays perfect: you avoid that permanent crease you get that yells :I GREW AND MY KILT HAS A HEM! ;)

Well it *seams* to... But real kilt tailors never do it because of the fraying aspect. And good old Scots thrift! My granny had a car rug made out of one of her older brother's Black Watch kilt from WWI! It had a small round patch close to what had once been the apron hem... And with all those close seams, it doesn't really reduce the bulk a significant amount, as well as making it impossible to lengthen as above...

Hehehe! Fun, isn't it! ;P

Does it have to be a particular tartan? This is mine:

I know I'm prejudiced, but I like all the Douglas sets.> >

You MUST do a diary for us! :) Every stitch in all its gory detail!

These are really fantastic vests and jackets, like:

are fully lined, and the shape, trim, buttons, and lacing are all prescribed. Should be fun! ;-)

Let out one or more pleat? I don't know if you could do this, but if I loved the tartan, I would give it a try. The ones under or closest to the apron might be able to be let out a bit without too much change to the overall look. Maybe Kate will know?

Beverly

It's all here:

Thanks, Shar! ;-)

Aren't you in the USA? Try Googling for "Highland Games" maybe there is one in your area or close enough?

"The 2006 Games will be held on September 16th at Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, VA, sponsored by the City of Alexandria.", etc...Her parents hope to have her compete in at least three or four major events each year. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but an entrant gains points for each competition, and must have a certain number (nine, IIRC) before being entitled to advance to the senior completion levels. She has done two so far this summer, the one in Portland, and one in Tacoma. I'm not sure where/if others are going to be held. Beverly

Now that site is confusing to me. I am a MacGregor. They list several tartans as "McGregor" and none of them are the tartan that I know. They have green, purple, and a blue they call "royal." I trust they refer to the color, since the MacGregors had no royal connection other than a misbegotten loyalty to the Stuarts. Kate? You being a Scot and all... any comments?