Hand Sewn 8 Yard Kilt Price List and Comparison

[bricelythgoe]

There was a discussion a while back (somewhat heated at times) about why the price of a kilt is the way it is. It got me thinking and I decided to do a list of some of the common kilt makers and their prices. I included all the advertisers on here, plus a few others that I have heard of or seen reviewed on this site. I wanted to limit the list to one type of kilt; therefore, I have included the best of the best from each company: 8 yard (most cases) hand sewn (most cases) tartan kilt (tried to stick with knife pleated). There are a couple of exceptions to this (i.e. some are part machine sewn or less than 8 yards is used). I have noted that next to each one. I have also included the price variations that will occur within each company due to size of kilt, tartan availability, weight of tartan, and/or other details. It does give a basic idea of the least and most one would pay for a hand sewn, custom made kilt from a specific company. Obviously, there will be differences from one kilt maker to the next. The list is only designed to give you a basic price range for a handmade tartan kilt.

Everyone, including the companies listed, please feel free to correct my mistakes that I have made (I am sure there are some). I know this is not a complete list of companies, but it gives you an idea of the wide range of prices out there.

There are a couple of things to note about my list. First, most companies either give you a flat price or a price range. There are only 2 that do not do that. That did make it hard to rank them.

What should you take from this list? Whatever you want. I am not saying TartanWeb is the BEST place to get a kilt. I am just showing a general price range of what to expect from these companies. Some might have better quality than others or better customer service. That is for you to decide. This is just the facts as listed on each companies website.

Here are some basic statistics that I gathered:

Mean: 553.09
Median: 510.00
Range: 322 – 975 (Very big difference)

Least Expensive Hand Sewn (Tartan selection could be limited from these companies for the lower prices):

1. TartanWeb
2. Heritage of Scotland
3. Scotweb

(These companies are about the lowest for most tartans, but not all)

Most Expensive Hand Sewn (for the most expensive. hand sewn kilt listed on their website)

1. Kinloch Anderson
2. Edinburgh Caslte (Salt Lake City Retail Store)
3. Lady Chrystel

List of all companies (least expensive to most expensive, including all price ranges listed)
NOTE: Not all companies/individuals listed below make hand sewn kilts.

1. TartanWeb: $322 – 380
2. Heritage of Scotland: $331 - 392
3. Scotweb: From 350
4. Scotclans.com: $386 – 625
5. Skye Highland Outfitters: $389 – 429
6. Freedom Kilts: $403 - 643
7. Kathy Lare Kilts: $425 – 521
8. Scottish Tartans Museum : $475 – 525
8. Bonnie Heather Greene: From $475
9. Barb T: $485 - 675
10. Keltoi: $492 – 700
11. USAK: $495
12. The Kiltmaker's Apprentice: $500
13. Burnett’s and Struth: $510 – 650
14. Celtic Croft: $550 – 750
15. The British Shop: $580 – 790
16. Lady Chrystel: $631
17. Edinburgh Castle: $675 - 875
18. Kinloch Anderson: $975


USAK
Price: $495 (part machine, part hand sewn, price can be 40-80 dollars more for hip sizes 47” and up)
Skye Highland Outfitters
Price: 389 (hand sewn and limited tartans)
Price: 429 (hand sewn and any other tartan not listed in the 389)
Freedom Kilts
Price: 403-673 (Machine sewn)
Scottish Tartans Meseum
Price: 475-525 (hand sewn and most tartans available for this price)
Scot Web
Price: From 350 (Hand sewn and price depends on the tartan choice.)
Burnett’s and Struth
Price: 577-696 (Hand sewn and price depends on weight and tartan choice)
Keltoi
Price: 492-700 (Hand sewn and price depends on fabric and weight)
The British Shop
Price: 580-790 (Hand Sewn not specified and price depends on width of fabric and size)
Celtic Croft
Price: 550 – 750 (Hand Stitched Pleats and price depends on weight and tartan chosen)
Tartan Web
Price: 322 – 380 (Hand Stitched and price depends on weight and tartan.
Scotclans.com
Price: 386-625 (Hand sewn and price depends on tartan)
Heritage of Scotland
Price: 331-392 (machine made, price depends on tartan)
Kathy Lare Kilts
Price: 425-521 (hand sewn, price depends on tartan, higher priced kilts are only 7 yards)
Edinburgh Castle (Salt Lake City Retail Store)
Price: 675-875 (no mention of hand or machine sewn, price depends on weight of tartan)
Barb T
Price: 485 - 675 (hand sewn, price depends on tartan)
Lady Chrystel
Price: 631 (hand sewn)
Bonnie Heather Greene
Price: From 475 (hand sewn, higher priced tartans will be more)
Kinloch Anderson
Price: 975 (price is an estimate only, hand sewn)
The Kiltmaker's Apprentice
Price: 500 (hand stitched)

[denmcdough]

OK, I might have overlooked your list, but I didn't see Wally Catanach, of Waterfall Kilts. Give him a shout. He's a great kilt maker. I bought a tank off him this year, and it's hand stitched. His price is reasonable for the quality of his work, which is superb!!!

Many times the labor is the least expensive element. If you have a special weave tartan, that will jack the price up, as mine was that way.

Good luck!!

[CMcG]

Very interesting data... thanks for taking the time to compile it.

I'll be interested to see what conclusions the rabble will draw from this...

[Howard Clark]

I second the recommendation for Wally and his work, and you also forgot Barb Tewksbury. Also highly recommended.

[BoldHighlander]

Are you only looking at 8 yard kilts?

The reason I asked is because I know that my 4 yard, hand sewn, 16oz Strome box pleat from the STM/Matt Newsome isn't anywhere near the $475 price tag listed.

[bricelythgoe]

Are you only looking at 8 yard kilts?

The reason I asked is because I know that my 4 yard, hand sewn, 16oz Strome box pleat from the STM/Matt Newsome isn't anywhere near the $475 price tag listed.

Yes, as stated in the beginning of the post. I focused on 8 yard, knife pleated, hand sewn kilts.

[BoldHighlander]

Yes, as stated in the beginning of the post. I focused on 8 yard, knife pleated, hand sewn kilts.

Thanks, I missed it earlier.

[ForresterModern]

You might consider adding Bonnie Heather Greene to your list, bonniekilts.com .

www.bonniekilts.com

[Danwell]

OK, I might have overlooked your list, but I didn't see Wally Catanach, of Waterfall Kilts. Give him a shout. He's a great kilt maker. I bought a tank off him this year, and it's hand stitched. His price is reasonable for the quality of his work, which is superb!!!

Many times the labor is the least expensive element. If you have a special weave tartan, that will jack the price up, as mine was that way.

Good luck!!

Wally provides no details whatsoever as to his pricing on his website......I daresay that has a lot to do with why he wasn't included.

[Woot22]

For some reason I see this discussion ending badly.