Quote Originally Posted by al'
Ham - Remember the fuss underneath the Scott monument and my desire to leave the area quickly! I can only take so much. I like the attention if someone talks to me. It's when they treat you like a novelty act I'm not so keen. The foreign tourists sometimes plonk themselves in front of you and take your pic. without a buy or leave. I find that very rude.
Yes, I do remember now, Al., and you were not on your own either, there were four more of us present. I do agree that it is rude to 'point and shoot' without asking for permission but, if asked, I'll never refuse. It is the sort of thing a lot of us Brits. might do when we are "foreign tourists" ourselves, I guess!

That leather shirt BTW was about £160. I would have to drink a half litre of Bushmills before having the courage to buy it. I REALLY liked it. I can hear my wallet screaming in terror as I type.
Oooops! Mind you, you could afford it if you gave up all those half litres of Bushmills!!! Only joking Al. I know you never go for bottles larger than 75cl.

Seriously though, it sounds fabulous. I wonder if they ever have 'Seconds' at half-price? I MUST speak with Howie.

The kilt I'm considering is 6 yards and the material is a special wool/cashmere blend. It will also be machine made. Does this sound right to you? The guy was referring to it as a TFCK. Either way, I think it will make up into very nice kilt. I don't think I NEED to see Howie, do I? It would be nice to meet him sometime though.

Al
The fabric you describe is either a 'special' or is something new that's been added to the TFCK range If it contains Cashmere it will be slightly more expensive, I'd think. The only Charcoal fabrics I've seen in their regular range have been the AR Tweed and the Poly/wool blend, but I know Howie has stacks of samples and swatches of fabrics he can buy-in so maybe that's where you found this one - that's where I found the fabrics for six of my TFCKs.

Machine sewn? Yes that's a feature of a TFCK, as is the 6 yard length. It would also sit on the hips rather than have the traditional 'rise' of a Geoffrey (Tailor) kilt. Geoffrey, being a traditional kiltmaker, will make only 8 yard+ kilts, in tartan, and they will be hand-sewn. Both types of kilt go through the same kiltmaking workroom however.

No, you probably do not need to see Howie. Their Staff are excellent and are well-trained. It's just that Howie IS the expert and I usually manage to see him, but I was measured by an Assistant once when Howie was called to the USA at short notice. Yes, everyone should meet Howie sometime! It is heart-warming to see someone of his tender years, with such a genuine passion for both traditional and contemporary kilts - and he'll tell you that he followed my example by wearing the kilt all day, every day!!!! For Howie, and his family, kiltmaking and the promotion of kilt-wearing is so much more than a business.