Acme Atelier

Acme Atelier ACME ATELIER creates bespoke handstitched kilts that combine heritage crafts with contemporary design Delivery worldwide

This cloth is always a special pleasure to work with. It’s soft, blanket like handle sews like butter between the finger...
30/06/2026

This cloth is always a special pleasure to work with. It’s soft, blanket like handle sews like butter between the fingers and calls for a different structural approach to the norm. Just three deep box pleats and two knife pleats are the means of shaping this kilt into a fluid A-line. There are some specific details here, designed to highlight the exceptional craftsmanship of the heritage mill further along the Moray coast where this tweed was woven— by Sam Goates Woven In The Bone

Details from two recent commissions for Old Stone Trade clients, both using the same featherweight, indigo wool suiting....
26/06/2026

Details from two recent commissions for Old Stone Trade clients, both using the same featherweight, indigo wool suiting.
In comparison to a standard tartan weighing in at 13oz, this 4oz cloth would seem to be incompatible with handstitched kilt construction.
However, historically this follows the origins of the pleating method for the schenti, worn by the Egyptian pharaohs, made most often in linen and formed using hot metal blades to set fine, close folds into knife pleats; which is the origin of the term we use in kiltmaking today.

Huge thanks to and of for the opportunity to share our skills during London Craft Week.The DYE • WEAVE • PLEAT colla...
17/05/2026

Huge thanks to and of for the opportunity to share our skills during London Craft Week.
The DYE • WEAVE • PLEAT collaboration features in OUR COMMON GROUND, their beautiful show of British crafts showing at Art’otel London Hoxton until the end of May.
Thank you to everyone who came to our workshops and talks and the lovely team at for looking after us. Extra special thanks to .beeler our guest collaborator, who crafted these beautiful kilt pins and as always and whose scholarship award made it all possible in the first place.

Speckles and squares in a paired back monotone flannel tweed. This is a deceptively simple design, but one that’s quite ...
29/04/2026

Speckles and squares in a paired back monotone flannel tweed. This is a deceptively simple design, but one that’s quite complex to execute, a centre back double box pleat, two further double box pleats over each hip and double knife pleats to the front, framing the classic a-line kilt apron. Simple, soft, but well structured..

28/04/2026

The DYE • WEAVE • PLEAT collective will be joining OUR COMMON GROUND, an exhibition curated by celebrating makers and their materials from across the UK, open May 8-30.
We are delighted to be showing three kilts from our craft collaboration, now expanded to include a fourth artisan; jeweller .beeler who has created kilt pins use that respond to the locations that inspired each kilt.
We’ll be hosting small group workshops May 12,13,15,16,17th, (booking at Eventbrite and in stories) and participating in the special evening of craft and conversation at The Makers Table, May 14th 6pm.
We look forward to sharing this with you and so many other wonderful makers brought together by and following their epic walk to support Britains craft heritage, and

Spring has sprung here — finally! … and this kilt is a celebration in the April sunshine of a big birthday, a gift from ...
10/04/2026

Spring has sprung here — finally! … and this kilt is a celebration in the April sunshine of a big birthday, a gift from parents to their daughter, who joined in its making by printing her lining with spring flowers as her surprise inside.
The tartan is a Hebridean Macleod, woven by in my neighbouring town, Keith. An unusual and pretty mix of colours for this popular sett which we’ve pleated in reverse Kinguisse form, adding a twist in its tail to flip the twill direction down the centre back of the box, creating the subtle chevron effect.

29/03/2026

A peek into part of a process here: how my hand knotted fringes on my shawls are finished.
The main job is stripping out the threads in the tartan and hand tying knots every centimetre across each 1.4m side, but after doing this the fringes are unruly and the fibres need to be settled again to regain their sheen.
First it’s a detangling comb to realign everything, then a natural bristle nail brush to stroke the fibres flat and straighten them. Next they’re squared up on a cutting mat— as well as keeping everything in line this gives enough height for the bottom blade of my shears to pass underneath the straggly ends without the fringe moving. Finally, a spritz of Scotch Mist and a heavy dose of steam sets everything into position and makes the fringe lustrous again.
The tartan is Lady Borrodales Gift, designed by Peter MacDonald as part of the Genesis Collection woven by

Address

High Street
Forres
IV36 1BU

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Acme Atelier posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share