Kilt making

**millykilts** · 18th August 10, 02:04 PM

Hello
Firstly let me introduce myself i am John Rattray i came across you community purely by chance browsing through the internet one evening and found myself intriqued how many people out there are follower of the kilt.

I am currently the Senior Master Tailor of the British Army secondly i am a Scottish Division regimental tailor so i have covered comprehensive make up of all aspect of highland dress.

What is interesting myself is who taught you to make kilts (the kiltmakers among yourself) Me personally had to carry out a 5 year apprenticeship a the school in Camberley Surrey under a Mr L Penrose and Joe Wade, moving to the final 6 month course which deals solely with highland clothing from Trews to Spats to kilts and jackets. That was in 1988 and have been working within the Military system dealing with Scottish regiments and on a few occasion dealing with the Royal familly (Regimental Colonels Prince Philip and more recently Prince Charles)

As i have asked where did you learn to make kilts,i have had dealing with some personal from the Keith kilt school and am somewhat disappointed that an individual attends a 6 week course and the claims to be a master kiltmaker,i have around 800-850 under my belt and still learn something new from some of the newer kiltmaker taught on courses. I will say i liked the look of the double box pleated kilt.

Lastley are you all handmaking your kilts or are they machined with hand finished finish.

regards

John

**BEEDEE** · 18th August 10, 02:53 PM

First off

I'll let the professional kiltmakers answer for themselves, but be prepared to be a resource here for information on Scottish regimental dress!

Brian

**longhuntr74** · 18th August 10, 03:26 PM

Can I just say what a pleasure it is to have you join us! A hearty welcome to you, Sir, from the left side of the pond!! I'm by no means a professional kiltmaker...in truth, I'm only 2/3 of the way through my first kilt. I've learned how from a book called The Art of Kiltmaking, co-written by one or our fine members, Barb Tewksbury.

I sincerely hope that you find the time to post frequently and offer your expert advice and input. Again, welcome to the rabble. You'll find many great people here!

**xman** · 18th August 10, 04:09 PM

Welcome good sir.

It is perhaps not to me that you speak, but for myself my answer is that I am learning from this community. I too have purchased The Art of Kilt Making and am nearly finished my second reading. Some various yardages of worsted wool kilting material are on their way to me now and I will begin my odyssey. Where the fog of confusion persists in me I will be seeking guidance from the kilted rabble here.

I am sure your expertise will be immeasurably valuable to this community and I sincerely hope you will remain and share as much of it as you can.

Thank-you for joining in,

X

**Downix** · 18th August 10, 04:13 PM

I taught myself, partly by dissecting an existing kilt, partly from the web, and after had made several kilts I bought to book from Barb which filled in the gaps I had. No apprenticeships within the former colonies I am aware of, sadly.

**tulloch** · 18th August 10, 05:07 PM

Wow! It is exciting to have you here. Photos, if you have them, would be greatly appreciated both of the regiment and of your work. Welcome to xmarks!

**BobsYourUncle** · 18th August 10, 05:17 PM

from Long Island, NY. I, for one, am very excited to make your online aquaintence. I am a reenactor whose group portrays the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 7th Battalion as they fought in the Second War [1939-1946]. Our group's website is here: http://home.roadrunner.com/~argyllsutherland/index.html .

As Living Historians, we strive to portray the daily life of the private soldier in the A&SH during WWII. Accordingly, we spend no small effort in researching the details of regimental dress, insignia, equipment and arms. I am hopeful that we may be able to "pick your brain" about many of the questions and issues we confront. Yours Aye, BYU

**2a5t2f7** · 18th August 10, 07:32 PM

from the Lowcountry of South Carolina....Charleston.

**artificer** · 18th August 10, 07:34 PM

Welcome aboard, from America's North Coast!

Not a kilt maker myself, I cannot get the 'hang' of fabric- I'm a leather guy.

BTW: You WILL be bombarded by questions in the not too distant future. We love information resources here

**jgcunningham** · 18th August 10, 08:23 PM

Welcome to the forum!

I just finished my second kilt, using the Art of Kiltmaking as a guide. All of it was hand-stitched. My first one was done on a machine but it just doesn't have the same feel to it as the handmade one.