Tartan Amerikilts...

[Nighthawk]

I've been thinking about asking Amerikilt to make me a kilt in their special style from the MacLeod dress tartan. Anyone have a tartan Amerikilt? I'd like to see some pictures. I would, of course, need the sporran to be one of their standard variety- maybe a black one. What do you fine folks think of that idea?

[Alan H]

Call 'em up and see if they're interested before going too far with your Jones!

[xena]

A lot of the modern kiltmakers don't like making kilts in tartans because their patterns don't allow for lining up the stripes (or is that sett? Oh, you know what I mean, the line thingys in the tartan!) so don't get too upset if they turn you down.

However, if they can do it, I think it's a great idea.

Give 'em a call or email. If they turn you down, you haven't lost anything but a phone call or email.

[xena]

BTW, I'm pretty sure Freedom Kilts does exactly that though. Tartan kilts with hidden pockets, sewn down pleats and a few other bells and whistles.






















Of course, I wouldn't just be plugging for a fellow Canadian. Nah, I'd never do that! No way! Not me!

[The Wizard of BC]

Xena,

You are correct. A Freedom Kilt Tartan Model Kilt will be built Pleated to the Stripe or Sett per the customers wishes. They will have 1" Pleat reveal and Pleat Depth dependent on Sett Size.
They will have just as much fabric as a Traditional Kilt. In fact, depending on the Tartan, my Kilts use slightly more fabric because of the really large deep and reverse pleats I like to use.

I do not use a pattern in the sense of something you lay on the fabric and cut out. I pleat my Kilts very similar to what a Traditional Kiltmaker does. One Pleat at a time aligning the Tartan stripes perfectly both horizontally and vertically.

The Difference between what we do and a Full Traditional (other than mine are machine sewn) is how I incorporate the stabilizers and interfacings.

In a Traditional Kilt such as Barb T. makes, she sews a Stabilizer inside the Fell of the Kilt from Buckle to Buckle to take the stress off the Pleat stitches in the rear of the Kilt. She then sews in a length of Hair Canvas from the Under-Apron Strap all the way across to the Outer-Apron Straps. This takes the stress off the rest of the Kilt and especially off the Aprons.

In my Contemporary Kilts, because they have Pockets, I had to find a different way to take up the stresses of strapping the Kilt on and when wearing it and sitting in it.
How I do that is my trade secret but I did find a way to incorporate the same Stabilizers and interfacings found in a "Tank" into my Tartan Models.
The fabric of the Kilt floats over these interfacings with no stress transferred to the pleat stitching.
I then incorporate a real 2" waistband and 6 real beltloops into the design.

My Tartan Kilts may have a liner but it serves a different purpose in my Kilts. It is there just to have a place to put the Logo and the Customers name.

[Riverkilt]

I may be wrong but I think that the closest Mike Butler at AmeriKilts ever got to making tartan kilts was the old Tiger Stripe camo kilts he made.

As suggested, just ask. Mike is friendly and not shy about giving you an answer.

Ron

[xena]

And the price differential between an Amerikilt and a Freedom Kilt might be worth checking with Amerikilt first.

Then again, Amerikilt is in USD, and Freedom Kilts is Canadian. I can't do the math in my head, but if you run them through a currency converter, they might a bit closer in price.

But, make the call! See what the people at Amerikilt say first!

[The Wizard of BC]

This morning the exchange rate was 1 to .76 so I think you will find that my Kilts are very reasonable for a completely custom made Kilt.

[cavscout]

Aye. An FK and an AK are not apples to apples.

[Nighthawk]

I just sent that letter. I'll let you all know the answer is. And Wizard, I like your kilts a lot, but if I'm getting a contemporary kilt in tartan, I want it tolook like a contemporary kilt. Yours look too traditional for what I'm going for! BUT- they are indeed a great value for the money. I have been tossing around the idea of getting one of your industrial models. I have a USA Kilts kilt on order, and a Scotweb kilt, as well. (One wool Albannach and one Colorado tartan.) Once my kilt fund is replenished, I may be dropping you a line.