The Great Kilt (Feilidh-mor)

The feilidh-mor is the earliest form of the kilt. It is the grandfather to the modern kilt, the feildh-mor. Its name in Gaelic means "great wrap". It is also referred to as the belted plaid.

Illustration of the Great KiltThe great kilt, in its basic form was nothing more than a length of cloth, usually of tartan or other wool. The wrap, or blanket, was wide enough to reach from the knees to above the head and was usually 4 to 5 yards in length. The length was gathered into folds and belted at the waist, hence the name belted plaid. The belted plaid was used not only as a garment, but also for bedding at night, the wearer wrapping himself in it, slept directly on the ground.

Feilidh-mor, the Great Kilt

Folding the Great Kilt

  1. Spread out the full length of the tartan
  2. Leaving approximately an arms length of the fabric unpleated, begin making your pleats by pulling the fabric towards you and roughly lining it up with the solid lines in the fabric.
  3. Continue making pleats of the same size until you reach about an arm's length from the other end of the fabric leaving the pleats in the middle and unpleated at each end.
  4. Fold the unpleated sides in so that you can slide your belt underneath.
  5. Lay down on top, centering your waistline over the belt.
  6. Fold the right end of the fabric over the front of your body and then pull the left end over the top of that.
  7. Fasten your belt and stand up
  8. Pull the end of the plaid that hangs over the belt up and around your upper body. You can get creative with this step. When you find a look you like, fasten it with a brooch or buckle.