Tewksbury has arrived

[Standard]

Well, at long last my Barb Tewksbury kilt has arrived.

A little of the backstory to begin with. The tartan was purchased in November last year off of Ebay from Bill Clezy in the UK. I purchased 4 metres, double width of the Black Watch Tartan, Military weight from a supply that was originally intended for the Black Watch but was no longer needed. Several of our members got in on this great deal.

While trying to decide who should make my new kilt for me both my wife and I agreed that it should be none other than XMarkstheScot's very own Barb Tewksbury. I had heard numerous favourable comments from many happy customers of hers. Of course Barb is a very (very, very, very) busy person. She was off to a field lab and asked that I mail the tartan to her at the first of the year which I did. Let the jonesing begin. After several emails and phone calls it was decided to pleat the kilt to the double black stripe, put on no "belt" loops and use 3 buckle straps. Barb even took the time to pin up a couple of pleating samples and email me a photo of each of them.

As we all know Hamish had the honour of having his kilt constructed partly in Iceland. Barb, as I said is an extremely well traveled person and as such I had the pleasure of learning that my kilt was worked on in South Africa while she was presenting at a Geology Confrence, and also in Arizona while working with NASA.

Well, the big day finally arrived when I received a note on my door that I had a package to pick up at the Post Office. Needless to say I made a bee line for the Post Office right after work. The package was picked up and taken home to be carefully opened.

The Kilt was carefully wrapped in heavy white paper to protect it during shipment. Of course there were 4 rows of basting stitches to hold everything in place. Also included in the parcel was a Kilt Passport and a complimentary pair of flashes. The first thing I noticed when I first held the kilt was that this sucker is heavy. This is no whimpy kilt, it weighs in at a little over 4 1/4 pound of tartan (did I mention this is military grade tartan). The second thing I noticed of course was the craftsmanship.

Barb claims that she hand stiches her kilts. I think that she infact weaves the pleats into the kilt because I would challenge anyone to pick out individual stitches. There has to be some Scottish magic at work here.

After carefully taking out the basting stiches I immediately had to try the kilt on. The fit and hang of the kilt are perfect. If good things come to those who wait, then great things certainly came my way. Barb does amazing work. In fact the only complaints that I have are that I didn't have Barb build a kilt for me sooner, and secondly that I'm not on the waiting list for another of her fine creations.

Pictures will be taken this evening, so more to come....

[McFarkus]

You are a fortunate man. I've seen, but not worn, her kilts. They are works of art.

[starbkjrus]

When I saw your title I wondered if you meant a kilt had arrived or Barb had arrived.

We'll anxiously await the pictures...


Are you going home early to take pictures?

ith:

[MacBean]

Got mine the same day. She has been busy!
My wife and I were competing with each other to remove the basting. That basting was so beautiful in itself, that I felt sad when it ended!

[freddie]

I saw that auction on ebay and I can't wait to see your pictures
Bill Cleazy is Argyll Kilts and Bagpipes and I have a kilt made by them in Ancient Buchanan, a fantastic kilt which was also an ebay auction.

[cessna152towser]

Congrtulations on the new Tewskesbury kilt.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of you wearing it proudly.

[GMan]

Nice!

[Howard Clark]

Always a joyous occasion !

[Freelancer]

Congratulations! That's great news for both of us. For me, it means my kilt is one step higher in Barb's queue! Looking forward to your photos.

[Tartan Tess]

One of my goals as a kilt maker is to have invisible stitches like Barbs.
I loved the comment about the basting stitches were even beautifully done.
enjoy your work of art!