Traditional Handsewn Kilts
and Accessories
Children's Kilts/Na Fèileadh Beig Phàisdean
LL CHILDREN'S KILTS (WHICH ARE UNISEX) ARE identical in construction to my adult kilts. They are made from 10-12 oz. 100% worsted wool in either tartan or solid colour. Solid coloured kilts are traditionally favoured by the Irish and it's Diaspora. To read more about Irish kilts click here.
Children's kilts are knife-pleated to the stripe and will be generously hemmed. This allows the kilt to be altered considerably to ensure the kilt fits the child as he or she grows. A typical child's kilt will last approximately four years.
My kilts are hand-pleated and hand-sewn. This method renders the stitching almost invisible and is an integral part of what makes a traditional kilt. No machine stitching is done on any portion. Each kilt will feature the following:
- Made-to-measure with 2.5 cm (1") rise The kilt will be made to your child"s measurements: length, waist, and hips. Rise is the portion that extends above the natural waist and allows the kilt to remain secure.
- Two or three 19 mm (3/4") cast metal buckles with leather straps and tartan casing (25 mm/1" buckles are available on Medium and Large kilts.) A third strap is available, but I recommend against it. It serves no purpose and can damage the kilt when buckled too tightly. (Something which happens frequently.)
- Choice of apron fringe Your choice of double offset, triple offset, or no fringe. Double offset fringe is the most popular, while no fringe is more historic.
- Hemmed bottom A child's kilt will have a large hem that can be let down over the years as the child grows taller. (About 7.6 cm/3 inches.)
- Full cloth lining in black or off-white This covers the canvas reinforcement. I use a cotton blend which breathes and provides protection from the canvas underneath. Black is most commonly used, while off-white is mainly used on kilts made from white-based tartans.
- Stabilizer and hair canvas reinforcement The stabilizer is a cloth strip which prevents the waist of the kilt from stretching when tightening the straps. The hair canvas helps the pleats maintain their shape and relieves the stress placed on pleat stitching.
Keepers (Boys kilts only) Your choice of sporran loops, belt loops, or brace buttons. Sporran loops are centred on the back of the kilt and are 1 cm wide by 5 cm long. The sporran strap is passed through the loops and this helps the sporran stay in place. Belt loops are much the same except longer. Many pass both their belt and sporran straps through these loops. I recommend against belt loops as they will distort the bottom of the kilt over time. The belt is really ornamental and not necessary to hold the kilt up. Braces (suspenders) buttons are another option: two centred at the back, two sewn on the underapron, and two sewn to the underside of the apron.
- Two loop hangers These are loops sewn into the waistband. They are especially useful for temporarily hanging the kilt from a peg. When the kilt is folded (pleats outward), the loops will overlap.
- Matching tartan garter flashes (Boys only) Garter flashes are used to hold kilt hose up. They are two strips of matching tartan sewn onto a twill tape band.
Prices are in Canadian funds and vary to reflect fabric prices from different mills. I pay the GST on all children's clothing. Children's clothing is exempt from Ontario PST.
Small
These kilts are designed to fit children ages one through to four and range in size up to a 50.2 cm (19.75”) waist or hip and a 35 cm (13.75”) length.
Clicking on each link below will take you to an individual order form and tartan viewer.
Medium
These kilts are designed to fit children ages five through to eight and range in size up to a 60.3 cm (23.75”) waist or hip and a 451 cm (17.75”) length.
Clicking on each link below will take you to an individual order form and tartan viewer.
THE KILT QUEUE:
At present there are 15 kilts ahead of your order. This will increase your wait time to fifteen weeks instead of eight.
Site last updated:
March 15, 2010
