Kilt making

[millykilts]

Hello
Firstly let me introduce myself i am John Rattray i came across you community purely by chance browsing through the internet one evening and found myself intriqued how many people out there are follower of the kilt.

I am currently the Senior Master Tailor of the British Army secondly i am a Scottish Division regimental tailor so i have covered comprehensive make up of all aspect of highland dress.

What is interesting myself is who taught you to make kilts (the kiltmakers among yourself) Me personally had to carry out a 5 year apprenticeship a the school in Camberley Surrey under a Mr L Penrose and Joe Wade, moving to the final 6 month course which deals solely with highland clothing from Trews to Spats to kilts and jackets. That was in 1988 and have been working within the Military system dealing with Scottish regiments and on a few occasion dealing with the Royal familly (Regimental Colonels Prince Philip and more recently Prince Charles)

As i have asked where did you learn to make kilts,i have had dealing with some personal from the Keith kilt school and am somewhat disappointed that an individual attends a 6 week course and the claims to be a master kiltmaker,i have around 800-850 under my belt and still learn something new from some of the newer kiltmaker taught on courses. I will say i liked the look of the double box pleated kilt.

Lastley are you all handmaking your kilts or are they machined with hand finished finish.

regards

John