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This week’s #craftfocus is kilt making.

The kilt started off as a blanket-like garment that was folded at the back, held at the waist with a belt with the remainder of the cloth falling back or wrapped around the shoulders /over the head for protection.

Tartan was originally regional and recognisable by the colours derived from local plants that were used to dye it with.

Kilts are associated with Scottish Highland dancing, with Scottish pipe bands, with the military and is the traditional dress for weddings and other celebrations. The kilt is an icon of Scottish culture and heritage.

Techniques include:

Measuring the customer and calculating the bespoke pleat width, front and back apron size and shape
Pleating the cloth/tartan either to the stripe or sett
Creating a pleat design, either knife, box, military roll or Kinguissie form
Transferring measurements to cloth
Hand sewing pleats (using invisible stitching) a fringe on the front apron
Cutting the pleats to reduce bulk
Reinforcing the pleats with canvas
Calculating the placement of the buckles and straps
Sewing belt/sporran loops and making chapes (fabric pieces that hold the buckle onto the cloth)
Lining part of the inside with cotton
A variety of hand sewing stitches are used for the different processes

Images: Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy @edinburghkiltmakersacademy and Auld Alliance Kiltmakers @a.kiltmakers.journey

#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #kiltmaking

We are glad to be joining @wealddownmuseum for their popular Made By Hand weekend on 14 to 15 September, dedicated to exploring and preserving heritage crafts and skills from the past.

Over the weekend there will be demonstrations of some of the many rural crafts and skills practiced at the Museum alongside visiting Heritage Crafts members who will showcase crafts from the Red List of Historic Endangered Crafts. @catherinebeaumont_basketmaker @ministryofstraw @seaview_studio @paulhenrykilts @osbornesigns @jaxysmiff

https://www.wealddown.co.uk/events/made-by-hand-heritage-crafts/ or via the linktr.ee in our bio

Our #mondaymaker (s) this week are Shannon Bye @s.bye.design, Heritage Weaving Manager, and Be Agnew be_agnew, Trainee Weaver Tackler, at @whitchurchsilkmill Both work at one of the last silk mills in the UK. If you want to read about their craft experience in a unique interview with teacher and student perspectives, become a member of Heritage Crafts and read more in the member portal at www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/join-us/.

#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #weaving #silk

Do you know a talented craftsperson who deserves recognition? This is your chance to shine a light on their incredible work! Nominations for the prestigious Heritage Crafts Awards are closing next Friday, and we need YOU to help us celebrate the masters and rising stars of traditional crafts.

Award categories currently open:
• Precious Metalworker of the Year @royalmintuk
• Woodworker of the Year @axminstertools
• Fashion and Textile Maker of the Year @costume_society
• Leatherworker of the Year @leather_uk
• Potter of the Year
• Young Woodworker of the Year @axminstertools
• Young Metalworker of the Year @lucyloo37
• Young Leatherworker of the Year @theleathersellers
• Young Building Craftsperson of the Year @englishheritage
• Young Upholsterer of the Year @sonnaz_
• Young Weaver of the Year @roseuniacke
• Young Embroiderer of the Year

Nominate today and be part of a movement that keeps our craft traditions alive for generations to come. Click the linktr.ee in our bio to submit your nomination before it’s too late! Or why not nominate yourself?

#HeritageCrafts #Craftsmanship #SupportArtisans #TraditionMeetsTalent @benchpeg @thegoldsmithscompany @mastercarvers @furnituremakerscompany @craftpotters @theleachpottery @britishartistblacksmiths @spab1877 @cwfcathedrals @historicengland @nationaltrust @the_amusf @guildswsd @royalneedlework @embroiderersguildukofficial

This week’s #craftfocus is corn dolly making.

Originally associated with harvest customs, corn dollies are symbolic items of straw work, historically known as ‘harvest tokens’ or ‘harvest trophies’.

The preparation of the straw is specific to the different techniques and adapted to the type of straw being used. Originally, corn dollies were made with available straws and evidence suggests minimal sorting and selection of straws.

Today, according to the technique used a suitable type, size (by length and diameter) and quality of straw has to be selected. Straw must be dampened before use.

Construction methods include: plaiting by hand, weaving, tying whole straws and a range of interlacing techniques using tools or purely by hand some based on knotting, some on passementerie.

Images: Carol Partridge & Lucy Hook-Child

#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #corndolly #straw