Sunday 20 September 2015

Tall tartan tale

I don't know about you but I am not the sort of person who can shoe horn two 1970's full length tartan kilts into her winter wardrobe. Not even one with a matching waistcoat.


 

But I love the colours and the quality of the 100% wool. I merrily watched the last series of the Sewing Bee thinking I can do all that until Kilt week came around then I went week at the knees. All that pleat marking and accuracy would drive me crazy.

Much more satisfying, I believe, to give a new home and a fresh pair of legs to a donated kilt. 




They were given to me by my good friend Lucy while she was clearing out her nan's house after she had passed away. They took a lot of stuff to the charity shop but Lucy and her mum thought I could do them justice. I hope I have....




I love them and they will be a major part of my winter wardrobe for years to come. There are of course the huge pieces I cut off the bottom - what do you think I should make with those? 

Jo xxxx






20 comments:

  1. Dear Jo
    Your skirts/kilts look great. Hmm...the rest of the tartan...How about tartan cushions for winter? Shawls - the pashmina type? Blankets? Skirts or trousers for the girls? Bags? Winter coat (would look good as a 50s style)? Are any of those ideas any good? I'm sure whatever you do with the rest of the material will be fabulous.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  2. Great new skirts, these look great. Leftovers? Child size versions?

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  3. I particularly like the blue and green one. You wear both of them very well though - love the red cardigan with the kilt. We used to call that style of skirt 'fit and flare' in the nineties. It's a really nice shape I think. Great job at making these wearable. I am a fan of the long skirt but long kilts? not so much and the skirt just looks more stylish as the pattern no longer overwhelms. Really nice work!
    Sara

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  4. You have done them both wonderful justice Jo!!! They look great and so do you! I thought that you were going to turn one of them into the bottom half of the posh dress for your event you have coming up! Fooled me totally and these are far more practical aren't they! xx

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  5. I love them both! I used to have two wool kilts, one knee-length and the other ankle, and they were my favorite skirts to wear to work in the winter. I've noticed that plaid "midi" skirts are very fashionable this fall so you're right in style!

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  6. From the length of them, another skirt!!

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  7. Very impressive, you really have done them justice and given them a new, modern lease of life.

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  8. Wonderful makeover Jo. They look so good on you. I didn't even know they made floor length kilts. They look much better shortened.
    Jacquie x

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  9. They look totally different and 100% gorgeous!

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  10. I love your kilts! I had a kilt when I was a child and just loved wearing it. I still would like to have a kilt or at least really nice tartan skirt. You could always make some more tartan skirts with your left over fabric. Or tartan trousers?

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  11. You have more than done them justice, they are perfect and you will wear them for years.
    Hugs,
    Meredtih

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  12. Bags....! I love that using and loving something of quality, no longer needed by others, bet it is warm too!
    best d xx

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  13. cushions ? the skirts look fab x

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  14. You did a brilliant job, Jo. They look lovely on you.
    Amalia
    xo

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  15. Oh, you've definitely done them justice. They look so much better this way! More wearable and more flattering too. How about some winter-inspired cushion covers for the leftover fabric?

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  16. Such cute skirts - just the sort of thing I would love to wear in winter with boots.
    PS love your boots too!
    Caz xx

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  17. The shortened skirts really do look great, and I am wondering if you have enough material to make the girls skirts...even though you are done with skirts for awhile :) xx

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  18. I love what you have done with the skirts, they really look fabulous!

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  19. Fantastic! I love the pleated red and blue one - looks really good on you. Matching handbags of course!!

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