Who actually OWNS a Scottish hand-sewn?

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Out of interest, and in order to see the level of experience on this site, who actually owns and wears a "real" hand-sewn kilt? You know the ones that I'm talking about. Big woolen monster with the three straps. A taper so form-fitting that it looks like it was painted on. Pleats that are so straight and uniform, and a sway that's so solid that you're drooling just thinking about it. Arrr, arrrr, arrrrr!!!!

There are plenty of posters on the site that have never worn one of these with regularity, and it's REAL tough to get them to understand the difference between these and "the pretenders".

Don't get me wrong... I own a load of "casual kilts", and I wear them often. But comparing some of the stuff around here with a "traditional" is insulting, misleading, and false advertising.

If you DON'T actually own one of these, PLEASE don't boost your post numbers on this thread. This is a thread to examine the noticable differences.

[bikercelt1]

I have kilt I ordered through the local shop, "The Scottish Country Shop", in Portland Or. (really great folks by the way) I also have two Scottish casual weight kilts that I bought through "the Scottish Lion" catalog. My good kilt has a lable in it that say "Locarran" (sp. ?) which I believe is the mill the fabric came from. When I ordered it the order form said "Strathmore" which I belive is the term for the weight which is 13 oz. The pleats lay "flatter" than the pleats on my p-v kilt or even the two Scottish casual so that at first glance it appears thinner, but when I move and the pleats start to swing it's obvious that this kilt is much more substantial. The pleats are absolutely knife sharp and crisp where the pleats on my p-v are "softer". I suspect that the "softer" edge of the pleats on the p-v is what gives it the "fuller" look. Between the two kilts the older wool kilt looks brand new while the relatively new kilt looks like I've had it for years.

Different kilts for different occasions, but in a purely critical analysis there is a difference between a traditional wool kilt and one made of p-v.

Jamie

[Kiltbear]

I have a handsewn WOOLLEN one made for me by a firm in Inverness - Chisholms. They did Guy Ritchies for his wedding to Madonna. I was measured in the shop for it.
I have been rebuked b4 for denigrating PV so heaven forfend that I should suggest that again here.
I just cant believe how many peeps here wear Polyplastic?
Polypropylene?
Prettypolly?
Pollyanna?
Pollypot?
Pollyglot?
Pollyfilla?
Pollyputthekettleon?

(Lie mode on) Aint polyviscose just a fab material?
(Lie mode off)

[work-a-holic]

I have a handsewn WOOLLEN one made for me by a firm in Inverness - Chisholms. They did Guy Ritchies for his wedding to Madonna. I was measured in the shop for it.
I have been rebuked b4 for denigrating PV so heaven forfend that I should suggest that again here.
I just cant believe how many peeps here wear Polyplastic?
Polypropylene?
Prettypolly?
Pollyanna?
Pollypot?
Pollyglot?
Pollyfilla?
Pollyputthekettleon?

(Lie mode on) Aint polyviscose just a fab material?
(Lie mode off)

it was me myself that made guy ritchies kilt when i worked in a company in clydebank glasgow not them or any 1 else

[Scott Gilmore]

I own two hand sewn kilts. Of the two, I much prefer the heavyweight (16 oz.) 8 yard Morrison ancient. The ~5 yard Morrison green (hunting) works well when the weather is warm though.

Thank you,
Scott Gilmore

[smaughazard]

My first tank got its first major exposure last Saturday in Franklin. My wife wore her matching sash, and we got LOTS of compliments. Looked great, felt great! Now, though, I'm jonesing for more…

[davedove]

I have to say that my new US Army tartan heavyweight from Alexis Malcolm is pretty sweet. It just feels "solid" to wear and the heavier material doesn't wrinkle much at all.

I definitely recommend that everyone should own at least one of the heavyweights.

[beverlonian]

I have a 16oz. wool kilt (MacNeill of Barra) made by Alex Scott & Co of Aberdeen. The following is from their web-site:-

"The last floor is the workroom the domain of our Master Kiltmaker, Margot Brodie.

Margot has over thirty years of experience having started her apprentiship in kiltmaking at the age of 15. Although no formal qualifications existed then, Margot served a five year apprenticeship under the guidance of Master Kiltmaker Jim MacLaughlan whose skills were gained in the disciplined environment of the Gordon Highlanders Regiment (one of the most distinguished regiments in the British Army and whose base was founded here in the North East of Scotland).

Such is Margot's longevity and reputation with the Company that families return time and again to Alex Scott's knowing that subsequent generations can be assured of that same expertise."

When I ordered my kilt I was measured by Margot and confess her workmanship is superb. However, because of cost considerations, I only ever wear this kilt on special occasions. No way would I wear it every day.

[macwilkin]

I own a 13oz., 8 yd. hand-sewn Cumming Hunting/Buchan District, made by certified Scottish kiltmaker Darren Purse, who manages the Toronto branch of Hector Russell. Darren does EXCELLENT work, and Hector Russell is fantastic when it comes to customer service.

Jimmy is quite right -- there is just no substitute for a hand-sewn traditional "tank" in all its glory.

Cheers!

T.

[Canuck]

I have a blackwatch that is handsewn from Scotland and two of my own. I stitched down each and every pleat by hand 36 on one (Dress McCrae,) 38 on my Hamilton. I got it down to 20 min. per pleat. I hemmed up the double pleat on the apron by hand, hand stitched the button hole for the inner strap and hand stitched the linen curtain inside. The only thing I did by machine was serge the cutaways in the pleats at the hip. These kilts are close to the 9 yds of wool required to make a traditional kilt.
My casual kilts are sewn by machine.
Cheers
Robert