Question

[cgrinder]

I've been reading all the posts and what not on making your own kilt. I've seen the PDF on making the xkilt but where is this book everyone keeps talking about that "Barb" wrote? Is this something you have to buy or are the instructions posted here somewhere? I'm really interested in trying to make my own as all of my tartans are obscure tartans that hardly anyone has and if they do I've gotta pay 500 bucks or more to get it. So this would be a big help if I could make my own after buying my own material. Please point me in the right direction.
:confused:

[Schultz]

The Art of Kiltmaking by our very own Barb Tewksbury.

I bought it about a year ago and have made two kilts since then, which I wear far more often than my Scottish made "tank". It's well worth the money.

[JimB]

I've been reading all the posts and what not on making your own kilt. I've seen the PDF on making the xkilt but where is this book everyone keeps talking about that "Barb" wrote? Is this something you have to buy or are the instructions posted here somewhere? I'm really interested in trying to make my own as all of my tartans are obscure tartans that hardly anyone has and if they do I've gotta pay 500 bucks or more to get it. So this would be a big help if I could make my own after buying my own material. Please point me in the right direction.
:confused:

Barb's book is invaluable. I think I've read it cover to cover 5 or 6 times. There are some good articles in the DIY section that you can read that will help too.
Don't be afraid to use alternative fabrics while you are learning. It's much better to make mistakes on $6 a yard fabric than the $80 a yard tartans. Some of these can look quite good too.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you make!

[The Wizard of BC]

Please remember that the cost of a Traditional Kilt is mostly in the fabric.
Most kiltmakers charge a labor cost that is actually quite modest.
To me, for a hand sewn "Tank" $200-$300 paid to a skilled craftsperson and artist it well worth the investment.

If you really have your heart set on making your own Traditional style kilt, then order Barb Tewksbury's book

http://www.celticdragonpress.com

[HeathBar]

If you can wait a while, she is working on a second edition that is supposed to have additional material.
I have made two kilts from using the book. If I've learned anything from making my own, its that quality, hand-stitched kilts are worth every penny you pay for them. You will also learn that even if you decide not to make your own, you've gained valuable knowledge of kilt construction. Then you will know what to look for in a well built kilt.

[auld argonian]

I'm cooling my heels and waiting for the second edition of the book to come out. I may experiment with some odd fabric in the meantime but I'll wait till I've digested Barb's book before I get too ambitious.

I was going to say that there are several disciplines in which there's one volume that is referred to as "The Book"...for classical guitar builders there's the Irving Sloane book, for photographers there's the Ansel Adams trio of books (Camera, Film, Print) and for the kilties it's the Barb Book. Must be nice to be the author of a volume that becomes a "standard'.

Best

AA

[cgrinder]

I thank you all for responding. I will have to look into it. I understand that the 200-300 dollars is a reasonable price to pay but like I said before that my Clans aren't the ones that everyone shows in their available tartan fabrics. My families are: Henderson, Davidson, Pollock, MacAlister, Montgomery, MacGregor (I can find this one fairly easily), Forrester, and Malcolm. Now I have seen the Henderson Ancient on Sportkilt but I've heard indifferences about Sportkilts. I would love a casual kilt from USA kilts and from what I've read here everyone seems to endorse their work but can they make one from a tartan I send them? Or can they get mine at no additional (way more expensive) charge? None of my family tartans are at USA kilts and I was devastated. Because I like their prices just don't have what I need and want. That's the reasoning in wanting to make my own because if I could get the material, then I could make it at a lot cheaper price. Of course after I've made a cheaper material kilt first.

[The Wizard of BC]

Any competant kiltmaker will have a source for ordering any Tartan you can name. In many cases it is simply a phone call to the mill and the Tartan is woven.
Shops like USA Kilts carry a stock of fabric to speed up the process but if you want a special Tartan that they don't list as stock call them and they can get it.

So making a Traditional Kilt for little or no money is really not realistic.

For example;

4 yards of 13 oz.Henderson from Strathmore will set you back $266.96us
Then add shipping and duties

If you value you time at only a minimum wage of $8.00/hour your labor will come to $320.00 for the, on average, 80 hours of your time.

Then factor in the misc. things you will need such at needles, thread, Straps & Buckles, stabilizer fabric and horsehair stiffener, and you will add another $30.00.

A copy of Barb's book and your ready to start.

Add that all up and your kilt has cost you greater than $600.00

You now have a thing of beauty, made by your own hands. But cheap or even inexpensive, NO.

Do it yourself by all means if you think you are capable of it. But please don't fall into the trap of thinking that just because you make it yourself that it will be less money. In most cases it will cost you more.

[billmcc]

cgrinder,

According to the Marton Mills website, the company's pv is available in the Malcolm (modern) tartan. Rocky can probably special order it, if you are interested.