A Good Kilt Maker......

[Wil]

I am in search of a good kilt maker. I am not looking for a middle eastern skirt.I have been in contact with D.C. Dalgliesh who supplies ScotWeb with there tartans. I am looking to spend $500 at the most. Can anyone suggest other good kilt makers, I am open to American makers as well.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Just look at the top of the page (and sides and bottom), and select one of the great kiltmakers that advertises here and is part of this community.

[Wil]

Just look at the top of the page (and sides and bottom), and select one of the great kiltmakers that advertises here and is part of this community.

Thanks KiltedCodeWarrior I will get in contact with these guys. Thanks a million.

[Tobus]

Yup, any of the forum advertisers will be good quality. But it's best to simply read the forum and see what others are saying. Some of the kiltmakers who don't have adverts here are top-notch, and mainly get their business through word-of-mouth. Like Bonnie Heather and Barbara Tewskbury. I can personally recommend Barb T.'s work at superior quality, and she's a right pleasure to deal with. She also deals direct with DC Dalgliesh (as do many others).

[Wil]

Yup, any of the forum advertisers will be good quality. But it's best to simply read the forum and see what others are saying. Some of the kiltmakers who don't have adverts here are top-notch, and mainly get their business through word-of-mouth. Like Bonnie Heather and Barbara Tewskbury. I can personally recommend Barb T.'s work at superior quality, and she's a right pleasure to deal with. She also deals direct with DC Dalgliesh (as do many others).

Thanks for the info Tobus I will get in contact with your recamendation and also look into a few more conversations that are here on the site about good kilt makers. It was nice to see that USA Kilt Makers now have or are able to get my familys tartan. I know for a while they were unable to get it. Now they even have one of the most sought-after and hardest to find without having it woven MacFarlane Mourning Tartan now its just a toss up between the Mourning Tartan (black and white) or the Lennox (a brown and red one)....

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Yup, any of the forum advertisers will be good quality. But it's best to simply read the forum and see what others are saying. Some of the kiltmakers who don't have adverts here are top-notch, and mainly get their business through word-of-mouth. Like Bonnie Heather and Barbara Tewskbury. I can personally recommend Barb T.'s work at superior quality, and she's a right pleasure to deal with. She also deals direct with DC Dalgliesh (as do many others).

Just one minor correction, Bonnie Heather Greene is an advertiser here. Her ad link is at the bottom of each page, along with mine, Artificer custom sporrans, and Wyvern Leather.

[Tobus]

Just one minor correction, Bonnie Heather Greene is an advertiser here. Her ad link is at the bottom of each page, along with mine, Artificer custom sporrans, and Wyvern Leather.

Wow - you know, I have never noticed adverts at the bottom of the page. I never scroll down far enough to "bottom out". I wonder how many others are not seeing those ads?

[Steve Ashton]

Actually the ad spaces at the bottom of the pages get very good exposure if we look at the number of click-throughs.

[The Wizard of BC]

Wil,

It would help if you could give us some more detail of the kilt you want.

You say you want the MacFarlane Black and White or the Lennox. Both of those Tartans are readily available so any kiltmaker should be able to get them for you.

But what weight of fabric would you prefer?

What type of kilt do you want? How do you want it pleated? Do you want it fully hand-sewn?

Do you want anything different or custom on your kilt?

[Nile]

Wil,


I just went through this process recently. Before I ordered a hand sewn, wool tartan kilt, I already knew that, if I wanted a quality, well made one, it would not be inexpensive; so, I decided that some research was in order.


To start with, I listed the exact specifications for the kilt that I wanted and then I priced it or got quotes for that specific kilt (primarily from the venders on this site but also a few others). [For me the specifications were; 15/16oz wool, Fraser of Lovat modern (Locharron or D.C. Daglish), pleated to Sett, three Buckles, two belt loops and double fringe. (D.C. Daglish does not carry my chosen tartan as stock and charges and additional $160 loom fee to make it so, I went with Locharron).]
I priced or got quotes for this specific kilt and found that the bigger "store type" vendors were the most expensive and that many the individual kilt makers (and I include here Rocky, Steve & Mathew) were more reasonably priced.


After doing that research, I reviewed the postings for the various venders on this site, looking at examples (pictures) of their work, reading reviews and visiting their web sites (I even talked to a couple of acquaintances about their experiences with some of the venders) before I made my decision.


Since it's going to set you back +/- $500, I'd recommend using an individual kilt maker for an heirloom, handmade kilt as described above (you won't find better that the ones here). The kiltmakers on this site are respected, experienced and have many satisfied customers herein. They don't just make kilts, they wear them so they truly know how the kilt should look and feel (and, of course, you will know exactly who made your kilt).


One additional recommendation is to be patient. The kilt maker is a craftsperson making a quality custom product so, allow them the time to do it right. Only fair for a garment that will out last you.
Have fun with this adventure.


PS; I ordered my kilt from Kiltmaker Bonnie Heather Greene; it's in process and I hope to see it soon.