I have a kilt from J.Higgins and one from Kathy Lare. As Ron says, my K.L. kilt in Buchanan hunting came without the basting stitches, but no sirens went off, and as a matter of fact, she did such an excellent job of pleating and pressing that you can't even see them in the back in photos. My J. Higgins machine-sewn kilt in MacGregor tartan has always done me well without a let-down. I wear it quite a bit for piping and sometimes for Highland games. You will not be disappointed.