What makes a kiltmaker professional?

[turpin]

Does a kiltmaker have to make a living at it to be a professional? At least as a primary income source. Or does it come down to whether someone is willing to pay them for their work? I paid for this kilt in trade, to be sure, but to a value in excess of $190, and I supplied the material.

This is a Gordon Modern box pleated kilt in 18-oz material from Robert Noble mill in Scotland. Noble has supplied tartan to the military since the 1880's. It is very well-made, and-sewn by one of our forum members, MacWage, who barely has time for his own projects so you may not be as lucky as I was. Here are a couple of front shots, taken on a hike today to the ruins of the Roswell Mill





In the second shot I'm standing in front of a dam built around 1840 by slave labor, as was the original mill.

Now check out these pleats. After I hit them with an iron (John barely finished the sewing in time to deliver it to me at the Hartwell games) they look super, and hold a crease beautifully. It was quite warm today, but the box pleat, even in 18 oz, was still comfortable.



John will be his own toughest critic, so I will only say there are a few minor issues, like steeking stitches that show across a couple of pleats. But since a box doesn't really need steeking to support the pleats I was thinking of just cutting through and removing them.

Also, the over-apron is about an inch or 2 too narrow, not coming all the way over to the edge of the reverse pleat. And the rise is only about an inch. I'd prefer a 2-inch rise. But Matt Newsome only put in a 1.5 inch rise on my Gordon Weathered, so maybe a shorter rise is peculiar to box pleat style.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with this kilt. John did a fine job, and he cares a lot about his work.

BTW, I have more of the material for any of you folks out there who want a regimental weight kilt. $48 a yard plus shipping. 54 inches wide. You won't find it for less elsewhere, and won't have to pay duty (if you're in the USA).