Kilt-a-Palooza
Last Saturday was Tartan Day! So, I guess it’s a bit appropriate that I talk about kiltmaking this week! I’ve been a bit quiet on here, partly because I’ve been a bit busy elsewhere!! Last month I taught four intrepid sewers how to make a traditional kilt! Over two marathon weekends, we stitched, and stitched, and stitched (including some frantic stitching of pleats in between times). Hosted by the lovely Contemporary Textile Studio, despite some hiccups, we had alot of fun!
Working on setting up the kilts
Working away on the pleats!
Kilt love! Or exhaustion, take your pick!
Moving on to finishing!
Doesn’t it look like fun? Don’t you want to make your own kilt? You can sign up for the next session - which won’t take place until November (because, let’s face it, who wants to stitch wool in the Toronto summer???). Interested, but not sure when you want to take a course? Register your interest with me, and I’ll let you know when courses are on offer!
Kilt and jewellery crossover!
I love being a one-stop-shop for all things kilty related! I had the fun of outfitting a gentleman with a kilt, and fly plaid, as well as an original fly plaid pin and kilt pin before Christmas. I love the zen of stitching, and I get such a kick out of helping someone realize the perfect outfit!
The MacKay Modern tartan, with garter flashes
Sterling silver fly plaid brooch and kilt pin. These were both based on the clan crest, which features an upheld dagger, with the motto “with a strong fist” and the kilt pin was don'e deliberately to match the fly plaid brooch. Both have been subtly oxidised in selected locations to highlight the texture and levels in both pieces.
Since the client hadn’t worn full dress before, we had a bit of a fashion show before he departed (yes, I work at home!). He looks pretty spiffy in all the trimmings!
An outfit to last for ages! I love it when a plan comes together! Want your very own kilt? Or clan jewellery to add to an existing outfit?
Wondering what I'm getting up to?
It’s been awhile since I talked about anything textile on here, so here’s a small snippet! I’m working on a new kilt in the MacKay Modern tartan. If you don’t know, tartan is defined as: (Scottish Gaelic: breacan [ˈpɾʲɛxkən]) is a patterned cloth consisting of criss-crossed, horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours, forming simple or complex rectangular patterns. Some are a relatively simple pattern, and some are very complex, sometimes because they are derived from blending two older patterns. And the colour combinations can get pretty interesting! I think one of the cool things about tartan is that it is, in some senses, still a living thing. There is a registry for tartan, and any one who wants to design a new one, can, and then register it. Of course, it’s not quite that simple, but what a great concept!
MacKay Modern tartan
Make it stand out
MacKay Clan crest
I’m looking forward to a bit of sewing! Check back in a few weeks to see the final product(s)!
Want your very own heritage kilt?
Want to learn how to make your very own heritage, hand-stitched kilt? Sign up to take a workshop with me in March.
Burns Supper!
Burns Night is January 25th, to mark the birthday of Rabbie Burns (famous Scottish poet, of Auld Lang Syne fame, don’t you know!). Celebrating it has become a bit sporadic since I moved back from Scotland. But here’s a picture of my friends and I at the Ceilidh to celebrate the St. Andrew’s Society Charity Gala to put you in the mood for the day!
Featuring the Hamilton hunting tartan, and the MacPherson Ancient Red tartans.
Must go and find some good haggis to eat now…..
Recognition is always nice!
I’m happy to share a nice thing that has happened this quarter—I have a profile in Studio Magazine. The magazine is a quarterly publication, that is produced by Craft Ontario , a non-profit organisation (of which, yes, I am a member!) that celebrates and promotes professional craft.
Each issue is themed, and this one' is “Generation”. The profile about me focuses on the kiltmaking aspect of my craft practice, which is pretty cool! The print version is a short and snappy protrait…..
However, you can read more/see some additional photos here., on the Studio Magazine website. There is a bit more information about how I view the craft, and my journey to kiltmaker, so, if you’re interested, head over and check it out! The website also has an archive of the Studio profles that have featured in the magazine, which you can see here.