Need help identifying kilt maker

**The Wizard of BC** · 12th October 11, 02:31 PM

The tags in the photos are those most commonly found on kilts made in Pakistan of Acrylic and Acrylic/wool blends. They are sold by many outlets such as Heritage of Scotland and the other Gold Brothers shops.

Some things you need to know about.
Although often advertised as P/V the synthetic fabric used in most of these are actually Acrylic. P/V is a blend of Polyester and Rayon.

The weight of these fabrics is not always standard or may not use the standard way of measuring fabric weights that we use for kilts.

These can be very acceptable kilts. Here on X Marks we call them Pub Style Kilts. They are perfect for what they are sold as.

Now, to a more personal note.

Thomas H,

I'm sorry sir. You do not have a Freedom Kilt. You have a kilt made from the so called Freedom Tartan. I am Freedom Kilts and hold the copyright on that name. The companies in Pakistan who weave the Freedom Tartan do direct their outlets to advertise these kilts as "Freedom Kilts" but I'm afraid that this is not true.

**Farlander** · 12th October 11, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by DireStraitsFan

Wow. You can tell a lot from an iPhone photo! I really didn't put the pics up to be the subject of condescension, but thanks for your input. I like the kilt, and it's a good deal better made than some of the other casual kilts I've seen. I'm certainly not a wool only guy. I live and play in Texas. Texas means hot weather, and these inexpensive "beginners" kilts are great for that kind of thing.

Gosh, I am sorry, I did not mean to come across so harsh

. I like what the Wizard said, "Pub Style Kilt" or Pub Kilt is a much better name for them.

**Pleater** · 12th October 11, 06:34 PM

Some years ago I bought a kilt thinking that I could learn from the construction of it - which was a mistake.

It had similar if not identical lables, and was unwearable.

I didn't think I would get anything particularly good, but the quality was laughable.

There were three pieces of fabric sewn together, one at least was recycled and had been pressed several times to put in pleats and then to try to remove the folds and press the new pleats. The surface of the fabric was polished from the pressing.

The pleats were stitched to some sort of foam to make the fell rigid. There was no shaping.

I decided that it wan't even worth the effort to take apart and try to make something decent with it.

I suspect that the quality and wearability of these kilts is wildly variable depending upon their original source, and that whilst some are dreadful others are not at all bad.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**chrisupyonder** · 12th October 11, 07:51 PM

http://www.heritageofscotland.com/Ca...34,product.php

I bought one 2 weeks ago and just got another in Black Watch while the discount offer is on. Both need turning up 2 inches so not worn them yet. Seem ok for a knockabout kilt so can keep my £300 tank for special occasions.

Chris.

**Ancienne Alliance** · 13th October 11, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

Some years ago I bought a kilt thinking that I could learn from the construction of it - which was a mistake.

It had similar if not identical lables, and was unwearable.

I didn't think I would get anything particularly good, but the quality was laughable.

There were three pieces of fabric sewn together, one at least was recycled and had been pressed several times to put in pleats and then to try to remove the folds and press the new pleats. The surface of the fabric was polished from the pressing.

The pleats were stitched to some sort of foam to make the fell rigid. There was no shaping.

I decided that it wan't even worth the effort to take apart and try to make something decent with it.

I suspect that the quality and wearability of these kilts is wildly variable depending upon their original source, and that whilst some are dreadful others are not at all bad.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

There was a big scandal a few years ago regarding kilts with this green label.

The Tartan Herald, The Scottish Tartans Authority's online magazine, wrote extensively on the subject a few years back.

Another British newspaper put out an article with a picture of one of these kilts that “spontaneously” caught on fire!

Rather than Pub kilts, I would refer to them as DTK, Disposable Trash Kilts; except that you seldom risk getting hurt and burning yourself with a Kleenex.

Buy quality, stay alive.

Best,

Robert

**Thomas H** · 13th October 11, 03:57 AM

I did not mean the Kilt was a ( Freedom ) Kilt .

I meant the Tartan is called Freedom , It is a General Tartan - and up untill
3 Months ago I did not have a Clan to call my own ,So I wore a Non Clan
Tartan as not to afend any one.

I understand the Kilt is not made by Freedom Kilts.

The Kilt was at a Cheap price so I bought it for a Knockaround Kilt.

But to the untrained eye ,as I am , I could not tell the differance in PV or wool
So I was happy with it and I still am.

For what I do $69.00 is way better then $400.00. I mean really
If I was going to a Burns night or Formal deal I would want a Nice $$$$
Kilt .But just going to games ,I am good with a Cheap , Trash. or what ever
you may call it Kilt.

I mean come on Man. Its just fun wearing a Kilt , no matter who makes it .
I am just enjoying the Fun.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 13th October 11, 04:13 AM

That is a label which is instantly recognizable to many as identifying inexpensive kilts imported from Pakistan. It has grown to be rather infamous.

The problem most people have with it is NOT that the kilt is low quality, or inexpensive, or even imported from Pakistan. The problem most people have with it is that the label is designed to mislead people. The wording on these labels says things like "designed in Scotland," which only means one thing -- this is NOT made in Scotland. And the phrase "Authentic Woven Tartan" is pretty much meaningless. The label doesn't tell you a thing about where the kilt was made or what it is made from, but "designed in Scotland" and "authentic woven tartan" combined with the nice Celtic knotwork border sure seem to suggest to the average tourist that this is a genuine Scottish product.

And that is why people who make and sell the real genuine Scottish product get upset about it. If these labels read "Made in Pakistan of 100% acrylic cloth" then no one would be upset.

I did a blog post a few years back that went into more detail if anyone is interested.
http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/2007/0...s-sta-for.html

**BCAC** · 13th October 11, 05:05 AM

Originally Posted by Thomas H

I looked and Heritage of Scotland looks to be the maker or at lest the seller.
Any way ,the Kilt looks good and If priced right I would Buy another one.
they are made of Poly Viscose and are Nice Tanks for everyday use.

Just a FYI, but you can't call a kilt like this a Tank!

It might be a serviceable beginners kilt, but a tank it ain't.

**BCAC** · 13th October 11, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by chrisupyonder

http://www.heritageofscotland.com/Ca...34,product.php

I bought one 2 weeks ago and just got another in Black Watch while the discount offer is on. Both need turning up 2 inches so not worn them yet. Seem ok for a knockabout kilt so can keep my £300 tank for special occasions.

Chris.

I'm just wondering why people seem to need to save their tanks for special occasions?

Tanks are virtually indestructable so I don't really see the need.

I honestly would do almost anything in my tanks (except perhaps building or garage work) but then again, I don't have to do "dirty" work very often.

**Thomas H** · 13th October 11, 05:13 AM

A Beginner I am ,and it was a Nice Kilt to me and If I am to call it a Tank.
Thats OK , If you do not want to call it a Tank that to is OK.

Do we remeber the Kilt Cop thread....

I can not aford a Formal wool Kilt , So I do as good as I can...

But enough about that, I am not going to agrue about what people think about my kilt of choice , I wear it to the games and around town sometimes.

I have never entered a Kilt fasion show with it as I know I would lose.