Traditional Handsewn Kilts

Plaids/Plaidean

SN'T THIS WHERE THE TARTANS ARE? PLAID (PRONOUNCED plad) is really a noun not an adjective. It is a common mistake to refer to the tartan sett (pattern) as plaid. In fact, the Gaelic word plaid means 'blanket' or 'wrap' which is a more accurate description of what is offered here.

IMPORTANT: If you are purchasing a kilt and decide to get a plaid, it is best to order both at the same time. Both will be cut from the same length of fabric and this will ensure the two garments match. If you require a plaid for an existing kilt there may be some difficulties involved. If the kilt was previously ordered from me it is likely that I can make a matching plaid. If the kilt was made by someone else, it would help considerably to know which mill wove the fabric and what weight it is. Fabric runs are not always consistent, especially with a natural product like wool. (Dyes may appear different, etc.)

Canadian residents must pay GST (5%). Ontario residents must also pay PST (8%).

The Fly Plaid

The fly plaid is a square piece of fabric which matches a kilt (be it tartan or self-coloured). It is fringed on all four edges, and pinned to the shoulder of a jacket with a brooch.

I offer two sizes of fly plaids: Regular, which is 1 metre square (39") and Large, which is 1.4 metres square (approximately 56"). I also offer the option of a hand-purled fringe at an additional cost. The fly plaid is typically worn to formal evening events, though some wear it frequently for other occasions as well. The choice, of course, is up to you.

Regular Size Large Size

Special Note: I do not gather the one end (which rests over the shoulder) of the fly plaid into a sewn pleat as some kilt makers do. I feel this relegates the fly plaid to a mere item of decoration. Leaving this end unpleated allows the fly plaid to still be used as a shawl or wrap for yourself or perhaps a special companion. It also make it easier to iron out wrinkles. One could also wear it as an Irish brath, which is folded as a rectangle instead draped by one corner.

All prices are in Canadian funds and vary by fabric weight. Fly plaids cannot be made from 15-16 oz. Custom Weave as this fabric is only woven in 75 cm (29") wide length.

Regular fringe (left) vs. hand-purled fringe (right)

Regular Fly Plaid, Standard Fringe (1 metre)

This size of fly plaid is the best choice if you under 1.77 m (5'10") in height. Use the tartan viewer at the bottom of the page to make your selection. Ensure that you choose the same mill and fabric weight when matching a plaid to a kilt.

13 oz. Bute and Mean $65.00
13 oz. Braeriach $80.00
13.5 oz. W60 $80.00
13 oz. Mediumweight Hebridean $65.00
13 oz. Ettrick Tweed $75.00
13 oz. Glen Tilt Estate Check $75.00
14 oz. Donegal Tweed $75.00
16 oz. Cheviot Tweed $75.00
16 oz. Jura $65.00
16 oz. Strome Standard $85.00
16 oz. Strome Select $90.00
16 oz. Strome Rare Select $100.00
16-17 oz. Heavyweight Nevis $60.00
18 oz. Regimental Weight $95.00

Regular Fly Plaid, Hand-Purled Fringe (1 metre)

This size of fly plaid is the best choice if you under 1.77 m (5'10") in height. Use the tartan viewer at the bottom of the page to make your selection. Ensure that you choose the same mill and fabric weight when matching a plaid to a kilt.

13 oz. Bute and Mean $215.00
13 oz. Braeriach $230.00
13.5 oz. W60 $230.00
13 oz. Mediumweight Hebridean $215.00
13 oz. Ettrick Tweed $225.00
13 oz. Glen Tilt Estate Check $225.00
14 oz. Donegal Tweed $225.00
16 oz. Cheviot Tweed $225.00
16 oz. Jura $215.00
16 oz. Strome Standard $235.00
16 oz. Strome Select $240.00
16 oz. Strome Rare Select $250.00
16-17 oz. Heavyweight Nevis $210.00
18 oz. Regimental Weight $245.00

Large Fly Plaid, Standard Fringe (1.4 metre)

This size of fly plaid is the best choice if you over 1.77 m (5'10") in height. If you are shorter, it is likely that the fly plaid will trail on the ground. Use the tartan viewer at the bottom of the page to make your selection. Ensure that you choose the same mill and fabric weight when matching a plaid to a kilt.

13 oz. Bute and Mean $85.00
13 oz. Braeriach $110.00
13.5 oz. W60 $105.00
13 oz. Mediumweight Hebridean $85.00
13 oz. Ettrick Tweed $100.00
13 oz. Glen Tilt Estate Check $100.00
14 oz. Donegal Tweed $100.00
16 oz. Cheviot Tweed $100.00
16 oz. Jura $85.00
16 oz. Strome Standard $120.00
16 oz. Strome Select $130.00
16 oz. Strome Rare Select $145.00
16-17 oz. Heavyweight Nevis $80.00
18 oz. Regimental Weight $130.00

Large Fly Plaid, Hand-Purled Fringe (1.4 metre)

This size of fly plaid is the best choice if you over 1.77 m (5'10") in height. If you are shorter, it is likely that the fly plaid will trail on the ground. Use the tartan viewer at the bottom of the page to make your selection. Ensure that you choose the same mill and fabric weight when matching a plaid to a kilt.

13 oz. Bute and Mean $320.00
13 oz. Braeriach $345.00
13.5 oz. W60 $340.00
13 oz. Mediumweight Hebridean $315.00
13 oz. Ettrick Tweed $330.00
13 oz. Glen Tilt Estate Check $330.00
14 oz. Donegal Tweed $330.00
16 oz. Cheviot Tweed $330.00
16 oz. Jura $320.00
16 oz. Strome Standard $400.00
16 oz. Strome Select $410.00
16 oz. Strome Rare Select $425.00
16-17 oz. Heavyweight Nevis $315.00
18 oz. Regimental Weight $360.00

The Day Plaid

I also offer the rarely seen Day Plaid. If you are looking for something tartan to drape from your shoulder when wearing a day wear outfit, this is it. The day plaid is a piece of fabric 1.4 metres wide by 2 metres in length, fringed on two ends and folded (by you) until about 30 cm (12") wide. It is then folded in half length-wise and worn loose over the shoulder. Though traditionally worn without a brooch (it's much too thick anyway), the day plaid could be discreetly pinned to your jacket from below.

All prices are in Canadian funds. Day Plaids cannot be made from 15-16 oz. Custom Weave as this fabric is only woven in 75 cm (29") wide length.

Day Plaid, Standard Fringe (2 x 1.4 metres)

While definitely the bulkiest of the three plaids I offer, the Day Plaid also has the most practical use, as it is the dimensions of a good sized blanket. Use the tartan viewer at the bottom of the page to make your selection. Ensure that you choose the same mill and fabric weight when matching a day plaid to a kilt.

13 oz. Bute and Mean $120.00
13 oz. Braeriach $150.00
13.5 oz. W60 $145.00
13 oz. Mediumweight Hebridean $115.00
13 oz. Ettrick Tweed $135.00
13 oz. Glen Tilt Estate Check $135.00
14 oz. Donegal Tweed $135.00
16 oz. Cheviot Tweed $135.00
16 oz. Jura $120.00
16 oz. Strome Standard $155.00
16 oz. Strome Select $165.00
16 oz. Strome Rare Select $185.00
16-17 oz. Heavyweight Nevis $80.00
18 oz. Regimental Weight $130.00

Day Plaid, Hand-Purled Fringe (2 x 1.4 metres)

While definitely the bulkiest of the three plaids I offer, the Day Plaid also has the most practical use, as it is the dimensions of a good sized blanket. Use the tartan viewer at the bottom of the page to make your selection. Ensure that you choose the same mill and fabric weight when matching a day plaid to a kilt.