Kiltmaking Craft & Couture in Edinburgh until 30 August

Name: Kiltmaking Craft & Couture
Start: 2026-06-30
End: 2026-08-30
Location: Scottish Textiles Showcase

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-30 14:38 3 min read

A curly red-haired woman poses in stylish fall clothing on a historic cobblestone street.

Kiltmaking Craft & Couture runs from 30 June to 30 August 2026 at the Scottish Textiles Showcase, 20 St Mary’s Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SU. The exhibition is listed as free and open to the general public; prices for its two related August events should be checked separately.

Located just off Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, the exhibition brings traditional Scottish kiltmaking into a contemporary setting. It combines handstitched garments, modern jewellery and an examination of how kilts are designed and made. The project is a collaboration between Scottish Textiles Showcase, bespoke kiltmaker Andrea Chappell and Dye, Weave, Pleat.

According to the Forever Edinburgh Events listing, no opening hours or start times are published. Visitors should therefore confirm attendance details before making a dedicated journey, particularly if they plan to attend one of the talks rather than the exhibition alone.

Dates, venue and admission

Detail	Confirmed information
Exhibition dates	30 June to 30 August 2026
Venue	Scottish Textiles Showcase, 20 St Mary’s Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SU
Location	St Mary’s Street, just off the Royal Mile
Exhibition admission	Free
August events	See the individual events for prices
Audience	General public

The extended exhibition period gives visitors an opportunity to see the central display without having to attend either of the accompanying events. Those seeking a more detailed account of the materials and techniques can instead plan around the two confirmed August dates.

Handstitched kilts and contemporary kilt pins

Kilts created by Dye, Weave, Pleat artisans form the centre of the exhibition. Their inclusion allows visitors to examine traditional pleating and hand-stitched construction while also seeing how those methods are translated into contemporary work.

The venue’s window display is dedicated to selected handstitched kilts, paired with contemporary kilt pins by silversmith Kristin Beeler. This presentation connects the finished garments with another strand of current Scottish design, while the wider display provides insight into how the textiles are developed and made.

The focus is therefore not only on kilts as completed garments. It also covers the craft decisions behind them, including the relationship between fabric, pleating, stitching and contemporary presentation.

Two August events examine materials and methods

Contemporary Kiltmaking: What Makes a Kilt? takes place on 17 August 2026. Andrea Chappell will discuss her kiltmaking practice and how she uses vintage fabrics and deadstock alongside classic tartans and heritage tweeds.

On 18 August 2026, Contemporary Kiltmaking: The Dye, Weave, Pleat Collaboration considers three Scottish textile traditions brought together by the project: natural dyeing, hand weaving and hand-stitched kiltmaking. Both events take place inside the Scottish Textiles Showcase.

Access and checks before travelling

The venue listing includes an accessible parking or drop-off point, level access to the main entrance and reception, suitability for visitors with limited mobility, and wheelchair access throughout. Pets are also welcome.

Opening hours, talk start times, booking arrangements and detailed transport directions are not supplied. Before travelling to St Mary’s Street, visitors should check the individual event listing for the applicable price and attendance arrangements, especially for the talks on 17 and 18 August.

Source: Forever Edinburgh Events

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The dates, venue, admission information, programme and access details were drawn from the Forever Edinburgh Events listing.

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