The kilt is one of the most recognisable garments in the world, with a rich heritage rooted in Scotland and generations of skilled craftsmanship behind its construction.
Today, interest in Scottish and Celtic heritage is finding a new audience. The increasing popularity of family-history research and DNA testing is encouraging people around the world to explore their ancestry, discover Scottish connections and take a fresh interest in tartans, kilts and traditional Highland dress.
While the tartan may be the most visible part of a beautifully made kilt, behind it lies a selection of specialist tailoring materials that help give the finished garment its structure, strength and longevity.
At Bernstein & Banleys, The Lining Company, we have been supplying the tailoring trade for generations and offer many of the essential components required by professional kiltmakers and specialist tailors.
Canvas and Silesia
Structure is an important part of traditional tailoring. Our linen flax canvases provide natural support and structure, while Cotton Silesia and Cotton Sateen offer practical options for internal finishing.
Our Flax Linen Canvases:
Quality 044 Red Edge and Quality 042 RWB Edge
Threads and traditional accessories
The smallest components often play an essential part in a well-made garment. Our Basting Cotton is ideal for the temporary stitching required throughout the making process, while Terko 36 Button Thread provides a strong thread for areas requiring extra durability. Available in ten colours, the range includes suitably Scottish-sounding Tartan Red and Tartan Green.
We also supply the traditional workroom essentials that no tailor’s bench should be without, including beeswax, chalk, needles, pins and thimbles.
Our thimble collection has also recently expanded to include nickel-plated bronze thimbles and sterling silver thimbles, combining a practical tailoring essential with something a little more special.
Linings with a Scottish flourish
For kilt jackets, waistcoats and vests, the lining provides an opportunity to add personality to the finished garment.
Our Design Linings collection includes a striking thistle design, while our Exclusive 100% Cupro Jacquard Linings also feature thistle options particularly suited to Scottish tailoring and Highland wear.
For waistcoat backs, our Two Tone Viscose/Acetate Satin offers a smart finishing touch and, rather appropriately, is available in a shade named Thistle.
Supporting traditional craftsmanship
Kiltmaking is a wonderful example of a traditional craft that continues to evolve, combining skills passed down through generations with renewed interest from customers discovering or celebrating their heritage.
Whether making a traditional kilt, a kilt jacket or a coordinating waistcoat, The Lining Company offers specialist tailoring trimmings, linings and sundries to help bring the finished garment together.
With our own long-established roots in the tailoring trade, we’re proud to continue supplying today’s kiltmakers with the materials behind this remarkable tradition.