A bathhouse kilt is a men's skirt, a source of pride for the Scots and the traditional national clothing of the Highlanders. The appearance of the bath kilt is far from the original and its style is much simpler.
A kilt in a bathhouse replaces a sheet, which does not always rest comfortably on the hips. Often it has to be corrected and held.
The purpose of a kilt in the bathing world is mostly hygienic. Just like a sheet in a bathhouse, it is an additional barrier to various bacteria, of which there are many in public baths and saunas. Secondly, it is a convenient and comfortable cover from prying eyes.
To sew a kilt, only natural fabrics are used: linen, cotton, waffle fabric. The most convenient and practical is a terry kilt. This material is denser, but at the same time soft and delicate, it perfectly absorbs excess moisture.
Features of the origin of the kilt?
A bath kilt is a product made of fabric that is hygienic in nature. With the help of this accessory, people cover themselves in public steam rooms, replacing them with a sheet. Due to the presence of elastic bands, fasteners or Velcro, it can easily be transformed into a towel.
Important! This is incredibly convenient, because ordinary towels are quite difficult to attach to the hips and waist, they always slide down, cause inconvenience, and hinder movement. If you sew a kilt for a bath correctly, all this will not bother you.
This skirt originated from the classic Scottish attire. Such simple clothing was very popular among the mountaineers, because at the same time it did not hinder movement and did not allow them to freeze even in the off-season:
- For the holidays, they wore classic red-and-black checkered skirts. Even now they are a mandatory part of the folk costume of the highlanders.
- In the warm season, they wore kilts made of lighter materials, which were sewn using patterns, because they contained a large number of folds. In most cases, all clothing was attached to the yoke.
- In winter, the Scots wore long kilts made from wide pieces of linen. One could even cover oneself with such clothes. That is, it is both part of the wardrobe and a bedspread. They were made from woolen fabric, and less often printed sheepskin was used.
A modern kilt for a bath or sauna is less similar to the national clothing of the Scots, because it does not have darts and folds. Its main purpose is to allow air to pass through and absorb moisture well.
For men
Men's versions of pareos are usually called kilts. If you wrap it around your waist and fasten it with a clasp, this part of your wardrobe resembles a skirt. The idea of using it as a bath accessory is inspired by the traditions of Scotland, where this comfortable piece of clothing has been worn since ancient times. A bath kilt, as usual, is wider and shorter than a woman's pareo, has a dull color, is devoid of decorations, and is trimmed with only modest embroidery. This attribute successfully replaces a towel and prevents you from catching a cold when leaving the sauna.
The main advantages of a bath kilt
It’s not for nothing that many people decide to sew a Velcro sauna towel with their own hands, because it has a lot of advantages, the main ones being:
- Easily transforms into a sheet or towel.
- Absorbs moisture well.
- Does not hinder movements.
- Doesn't slip off the body.
Bath kilts are available for women or men. They differ from each other not much:
- Men's models are slightly shorter, but wider.
- Women's accessories are made taking into account the distance from the top of the chest to the knees. Often such loincloths for women are called pareos. They are fastened with a hook, that is, one piece is placed on top of another. But to increase the strength of holding the kilt on the body, Velcro is also used.
Important! In terms of decorative design, they are quite diverse: men's kilts mostly have a laconic decor in the form of embroidery, women's models are decorated with ribbons or bows.
Styles
Bath dresses made of terry can be decorated with embroidery and are most often made in one color; some styles are sewn with pockets. There are models with lace and bows or with ruffles at the top. Some bath towel dresses are sold complete with a turban, mitten or bath slippers. The choice of colors is very wide: pink, blue, red, green, yellow, olive and others, you can always choose according to your taste.
Pareos made of waffle fabric most often come not only in one color, but also with patterns, for example, on a bath theme or imitating a tartan check.
Some of the styles resemble the traditional pareo, whose homeland is the island of Tahiti. Other models look like dresses on the figure, since they are made with straps at the ends of the panel; the strap on the right side goes over the left shoulder and vice versa. In this case, the back remains practically open, and the bath dress becomes very similar to an elegant evening dress.
Pareos can also be seen as part of gift bath sets.
Bath dresses also vary in length: above the knee, to the knee and to the middle of the shin. For a dry bath (sauna) it is recommended to choose a longer pareo, and for a wet bath, on the contrary, a shorter one.
What materials are kilts made from?
Since finished products are expensive, it would be more rational to sew a Velcro bath towel with your own hands. Only natural materials are used as a basis, in particular:
- linen;
- cotton;
- terry cloth.
The most important thing is that the skin breathes freely in such clothes, and it, in turn, absorbs sweat well.
Important! Naturally, high-quality terry fabric is not cheap, so many people prefer budget options - waffle cotton fabric. Although it is thinner, it absorbs moisture perfectly. The most important thing is to take into account that waffle fabric quickly gets wet through and through, that is, if you like to alternate a steam room with a jacuzzi or a swimming pool several times, then it is better to abandon this material.
Draw your own conclusions: it’s better not to skimp on buying high-quality fabric, especially if you like to visit such establishments every weekend. All the same, you will save significantly due to the fact that you will do the sewing yourself.
Important! Do not choose beige or white fabric, because it gets dirty quickly.
What can be useful in a public bath
In steam rooms with swimming pools, women should take swimsuits in addition to pareos. But at the same time, you cannot wear synthetic materials in the baths. A way out of this situation could be knitted swimsuits made from natural threads.
For example, it could be linen, cotton or bamboo threads. Ideally, you need to buy threads with 100% natural materials. But since this practically never happens, select the threads in such a way that their composition consists of at least 80% natural materials.
Another essential element of bath clothing is the bathrobe. It will be especially useful if you plan to visit a public steam room. The most common are terry bathrobes, which perfectly absorb moisture. The longer the pile, the higher its ability to absorb water. But it is important to choose the most optimal option, in which the villi will be of medium length.
Long-pile bathrobes are very soft and pleasant to the body, but when they become saturated with water, they become very heavy. And these robes can even take several days to dry completely.
You can also take a closer look at steam room robes made from microfiber and bamboo. They absorb water well, and bamboo robes are also good for their antiseptic properties. You won’t have to worry about fungal diseases in the bathhouse wearing this robe. But the cost of such products is much higher than those made from terry material.
Features of constructing a pattern for a bath kilt
In reality, a kilt is a very simple product, so you won’t have to create any complex patterns. If you are not at all familiar with the word cutting, then it is better to use the most ordinary sheet of paper as a so-called stencil.
Men's kilt pattern
To create a pattern for making a men's bath towel:
- Take a sheet of paper, preferably tracing paper. If it is not there, then you can get by with a piece of unnecessary wallpaper or newspaper.
- On a piece of paper you need to draw a rectangle 120 cm long and 50 cm wide.
That's it, you don't need to do anything else. Then you should buy a canvas of the same size.
Important! Since men's kilts are shorter, they are worn exclusively at the hips. So, if a man is short, then it will be enough to make a kilt measuring 40 cm from hips to knees.
Women's kilt pattern
Here the situation is a little more complicated. To create a pattern, you need:
- Draw a rectangle 120 by 80 cm.
- The bottom edges of the paper should be slightly rounded using a compass.
- The needle is installed in the center of the constructed square, and its side will correspond in size to the radius of the circle.
- The edges need to be cut.
Important! If you want to make pockets on the product, then you definitely need to create a separate pattern. Simply draw a square or rectangle of the desired size, for example, 20 by 15 cm. Small jewelry or valuables will fit into such a small pocket.
Pareo for different occasions
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Some people go to the bathhouse with enviable regularity to maintain health, for others this is a rare occurrence. If you often visit the sauna, a practical mid-calf-length model made of ivory terry cloth is suitable. It is desirable that the pareo has a great smell, and also comes complete with a turban and slippers.
If you are going with a large group of couples, then the women's pareo for the bath and the kilt of your friend or spouse should be combined in shades and texture. At least it will look very impressive.
Making a bath kilt with your own hands
Since measurements are taken differently for adults and children, and the sewing process itself is also very different, it is necessary to consider separately how to sew a Velcro bath towel for an adult, a child, and a standard size.
Sewing a standard kilt for an adult
First of all, you should decide on the main purpose and size of the accessory.
Important! To sew a women's model, the fabric will require one and a half times more than for a men's kilt. The approximate size of a piece of material is 120 by 80 cm. That is, you need to buy 80 cm of fabric in the store, since the standard width is 120–140 cm. If you plan to add pockets to the product, then take a little more fabric.
Instructions for making a bath towel with Velcro:
- Select material in the store. Do not forget that working with terry cloth is more difficult, because during processing it crumbles and stretches.
Important! If you don’t have an overlocker, then it’s better to opt for another material.
- The product will be held on with a regular underwear elastic band. It is necessary to take an elastic band at least 40 cm longer than the width of the canvas. Due to this, the kilt will not slip when worn.
- Finish all edges with an overlocker. If you notice that the terry is stretching a lot, then reinforce the belt line with non-woven fabric. A waffle towel will not stretch, but it is unpleasant to the body. Then apply the material to the belt line, iron it properly so that the interlining sticks to the fabric.
- Using an overlocker, work the areas where the non-woven fabric meets the terry cloth. Due to this, the belt will become more rigid.
- Fold the waistband line 4 cm twice to create a tunnel for the elastic. Pull it in and secure the edges well.
- Fold the sections at the bottom and sides of the product. Sew adhesive tape on one side of the waistband. On the other side, sew the second part of the Velcro.
Important! The Velcro should be located at chest level for women or at the waist for men.
- Buttons or ribbon are ideal options for making fasteners. In extreme cases, you can get by with laces. Remember the pockets.
- Finish the edges with an overlocker, then fold them over and sew them underneath. Place your pockets in any convenient place. If you have time and desire, you can decorate them with initials.
Sewing a children's kilt
If you are wondering how to sew a bath towel for children, then you can breathe a sigh of relief, this process does not involve anything complicated, everything is almost the same as in the case of an adult kilt. Here you need to pay maximum attention to the choice of material:
- In the case of children, it is recommended to choose white or ivory fabrics. The child will not develop an allergy to such fabric.
- Then the volume of the baby's chest is measured. As a result, we get the decisive length, to which we need to add 15 cm for the smell. The length of products for girls is equal to the distance from the knee to the armpits. For boys - the distance from the waist to the knees.
- The edges, all cuts, and joints are also processed with an overlocker.
- Then an elastic band, Velcro, and a pocket are sewn on.
How to do it yourself?
In fact, anyone can cope with this task, even if they do not have a sewing machine or the proper experience.
First option. For this we will need regular bath sheets. We won’t cut or cut it, we’ll just learn how to tie it correctly. The result should be a so-called toga. It used to be a robe for the ancient Romans and is perfect for visiting the steam room. See the tying diagram below.
Second option. We make a pareo from a large towel. To do this, we need the towel itself, an elastic band and a couple of Velcro. An elastic band must be stitched (or carefully sewn by hand) into the upper back part, which is on the back, so that small ruffles are formed and the product is well fixed. Next, we make a scent and attach Velcro to the ends. All is ready!
Third option. We sew according to the pattern; of course, we can’t do it without additional equipment. You will need:
- The fabric itself;
- Needle and thread or sewing machine;
- Scissors;
- Pattern paper;
- Tailor's pins;
- Sewing centimeter;
- Chalk or a piece of soap.
The first thing you need to do is decide on the pattern itself, you can choose the option below.
Next, we take our measurements; we will need the volume of the chest, hips and the length of the product.
We transfer the pattern onto paper taking into account our measurements and cut it out. Lay the fabric out on a flat surface, wrong side up. Use tailor's pins to secure the pattern. From each edge it is necessary to make an indent of 1.5 - 2 centimeters. We trace the outline and carefully cut it out taking into account the indentation.
Next, we need to baste all the edges and try on the product, if everything is fine, then we can proceed to the last stage - sewing.
As you can see, clothes for saunas and baths are not at all difficult to make; you just need desire and a little effort.
What clothes do not belong in the steam room
Before deciding what to wear to the bathhouse, it is important to understand why you need this or that item of bathing clothing in the steam room. The list of necessary bath accessories includes:
- kilt and pareo;
- bath cap;
- swimsuit;
- robe.
Previously, long towels or sheets were always brought to the baths, in which you could easily wrap your body. Now you can also go this route, but it is much more convenient to take a kilt or pareo to the sauna instead of bath sheets. Their advantage is that they will fit tightly on the body, and also take up much less space in the bag than the same terry sheet.
Externally, a kilt is a piece of fabric that can be wrapped around the hips and fastened with Velcro or a button, which ensures the durability of the outfit. As a rule, the size of a men's kilt reaches from the waist to the knees. This length is very convenient, since in a kilt you can safely sit on any surface in the bathhouse without the risk of getting burned or catching a fungus, which really loves the humid, warm atmosphere that reigns in bathhouses.
Women's pareos perform similar functions in the steam room. Unlike beach options, pareos intended for baths are made from denser materials, because transparent fabrics are not able to protect the body from exposure to high temperatures. Depending on the preferences of the owner of the pareo, it can be worn up to the top, completely covering the chest and most of the hips, or lowered to the waist and worn like an elongated kilt.
Designers showed their imagination and slightly modified pareos, turning them into dresses for visiting the bathhouse. In this case, two loops are sewn to the classic pareo, acting as hangers, like in a sundress, thanks to which the bathing outfit adheres even more firmly to the body. For greater convenience, pareos or bath dresses are equipped with pockets in which you can hide, for example, a hair tie or other necessary small items.
You cannot appear in a bath without such an important item of bath wardrobe as a special cap. The most popular model is a felt cap, which reliably hides the hair and scalp. The felt cap looks thick-walled, and this may give the impression that it will be extremely hot on your head in the bathhouse.
But it's not like that. In fact, such a bath headdress creates a special thermos effect, maintaining a normal temperature underneath, preventing the risk of overheating of the head. In addition, felt is a natural material that allows the skin to breathe in the bathhouse. The modern bath accessories market is filled with a large number of similar products of an original look.
Because of this, the load on the blood vessels passing through the head increases. Also, the hair itself can quickly dry out, which will lead to brittleness and a dull appearance. If you don't have a bath cap, at worst, wrap your head thoroughly with a towel before entering the steam room. But with a bare head, entry into it is closed.
The method of sewing men's clothing for the steam room is fully consistent with creating a pareo. But for a man's kilt, you need to measure the man's hip circumference. The length is measured from the hip line to the knee. On average, the length of men's bathhouse kilts is 50 centimeters. If we are talking about a medium-sized man or a teenager, then a length of forty centimeters may be enough.
But in order to make bath clothes for children, you need to focus on the child’s chest volume. To this figure, add 15–20 centimeters, which goes towards the smell of a child’s pareo or kilt. The resulting indicator will be the width of the future product. To determine the length of the pareo, measure the distance from the girl's armpit to her knee. For boys, the length of the steam room kilt is measured from waist to knee.
Since it is recommended to sew clothes for a bath from natural materials in neutral colors (so that they do not contain dyes that can cause allergies, especially in children), you can rely on decorating ready-made pareos and kilts. For example, you can decorate a man's or children's kilt with embroidery.
It will look especially good on the pocket of bath clothes. A pareo for women and girls can be decorated with a satin ribbon, which will also serve as an additional fixation of the edges of the bath product. Simply thread the ribbon through the waist tunnel and tie the ends with a bow when you change clothes.
If you don’t have time to cut out a pareo and a kilt, then you can use a simpler method of sewing clothes for a bathhouse. To do this, you only need a wide terry bath towel in which you can wrap yourself freely and with a smell. This option is advantageous in that the edges of the material do not have to be processed using an overlocker, because they already look perfect. All you need is fabric for the belt. You can choose any suitable material - similar or, on the contrary, contrasting color.
Cut a long strip of this fabric, six centimeters high and the same length as the selected towel. Sew this strip to the top of the future pareo so that you get a tunnel for the elastic. Cut the elastic 40 centimeters shorter than the length of the belt. Insert it into the tunnel and pull it through, sew the edges of the elastic to the fabric.
It is much more convenient to pull it through the belt than just an elastic band, which is not so well felt through a layer of fabric. Make sure that the second end of the elastic does not go deep inside the waistband. As soon as you see that it has already pulled up to the waist hole, secure it there with the help of a second pin.
Once you have pulled the elastic through and secured it, sew Velcro at the top to fasten the garment. Place the Velcro on the pareo so that it is higher than the chest. Decorate the finished product as desired. In a similar way, you can sew a men's kilt for a bath.
It is important to know not only what it is recommended to wear in the bathhouse, but you also need to take into account information about what you should absolutely not bathe in. One of the strictest prohibitions concerns the use of accessories or items of clothing made of synthetic fabric. In particular, we are talking about swimsuits, which you should not wear in the steam room, as they can begin to evaporate toxic substances that are harmful to your health.
Artificial synthetics are not able to absorb moisture well, in particular sweat. As a result, irritation may appear on steamed skin. Experts recommend refraining from synthetic clothing not only in a steam bath, but also not wearing it immediately after visiting the sauna. The fact is that after the skin has been cleansed and its pores have opened as much as possible, it becomes extremely susceptible to external influences.
It is recommended to take cotton or linen underwear to the sauna. It is advisable to also pay close attention to outerwear: dresses, trousers, sweaters and other things should be selected from the most natural materials possible. And women should refrain from putting on nylon tights immediately after a bath. And don't forget to take off all your jewelry before entering the steam room. When heated, they can easily burn your earlobe or the skin on your finger.
Another strict prohibition concerns wearing contact lenses in the bathhouse. Due to the high temperature in the steam room, they can dry out very quickly and even become deformed. In rare cases, this can lead to eye infections. You must clearly understand that after going to the sauna, your lenses will no longer be suitable for further use.
