The Art of Kiltmaking: Step-by-Step Instructions for Making a Traditional Scottish Kilt

This book provides illustrated, step-by-step instructions for making a Scottish kilt by traditional methods. With this book, anyone can be confident of making a traditional Scottish kilt that will look beautiful, fit perfectly, and last a lifetime – all at a fraction of the cost of a custom-made kilt. This is the third printing of the book and differs from previous printings in having a standard paperback binding and in having the eight original color plates printed in black and white. The book does include a web link to download a free pdf of the original color plates, plus a free pdf of a color supplement with illustrated instructions for how to make a traditional box pleated kilt. The third printing does include a 2019 update on sources of tartan and supplies for kiltmaking, but all other aspects of the book remain the same. The methods taught in this book date back well over a century and differ significantly from methods used to sew most other types of clothing. No pattern pieces are required – a kilt is sewn from a rectangle of cloth about 8 yards long that is shaped to fit perfectly during the sewing process. All you need is tartan, the book, and some patience and attention to detail. The authors have a combined experience in traditional kiltmaking of nearly 100 years. Lead author Barbara Tewksbury learned kiltmaking in 1995 from her co-author, legendary kiltmaker Elsie Stuehmeyer, and has made hundreds of kilts in the past 25 years. Elsie apprenticed with Thomas Gordon’s of Glasgow in 1947 and has made literally thousands of kilts over the past nearly 70 years. Much of the motivation for writing this book was to preserve traditional craft methods for future generations.