An Introduction to Kilt Making: A Five-Day Course with Master Kiltmaker Netty Sopata

Learn traditional kiltmaking from a world-class maker during Heb Celt week. All materials included. Only 10 places.

Have you ever wanted to make a kilt? This is your chance — and there's no better place to do it than the Outer Hebrides.

This July, to coincide with the Hebridean Celtic Festival, we're hosting a five-day kiltmaking course taught by Netty Sopata of Diggory Brown — one of Scotland's most accomplished kiltmakers and a name well known in both the islands and the fashion world.

Over five days, Netty will guide you through the making of a half-scale sample kilt using a combination of modern sewing techniques and traditional hand tailoring methods. You'll learn every stage of the process — measuring, cutting, pleating, and finishing — and leave with a beautiful, complete piece of work and a skill you'll carry for life.

Why half scale?

A full-size kilt requires eight yards of fabric. Hand-sewing that amount of material takes years to master and simply isn't achievable in a short course. Working at half scale means you'll learn all the techniques properly, at a pace that allows real understanding — and you'll actually finish your kilt.

Course details

📅 Dates: Monday 13th – Friday 17th July 2026

⏰ Times: 10:00 – 16:00 daily (lunch break 12:30 – 13:30)

📍 Venue: UHI NWH Campus, Stornoway, HS1 0RX

👥 Group size: Maximum 10 participants

🧵 Experience required: Basic sewing knowledge and experience

🎒 What's included: All materials and morning refreshments (tea, coffee and croissants)

💷 Early bird price: £495 (first 4 bookings only)

💷 Standard price: £575

About your tutor

Netty Sopata trained in Fashion Product Design in Kent before returning to the Outer Hebrides to apprentice with a traditional kiltmaker in Stornoway. She went on to found Diggory Brown, a bespoke kiltmaking business specialising in locally woven Harris Tweed, and has spent the past twenty years making kilts, teaching Fashion Design at UHI NWH, and managing national and international craft projects through Applied Arts Scotland. Her previous clients include Christopher Kane, the BBC, MATCHES Fashion, Norton & Sons, and KT Tunstall.