Surprises inside a custom Scottish-made kilt

[bwat]

Looks like a 50 quid PV kilt construction-wise. Was this really a known maker? I bought a kilt in the very same tartan on ebay which was ex hire. Seeing the pictures made me panic but my kilt has different buckles, the straps are sewn in a way that looks more robust, and the back of it is quite stiff. That kilt cost me 99 quid which is probably a third of what they charged for the kilt you've shown us. Poor bugger.

Anyway, things like this really are good to know so thanks for sharing.

[Mel1721L]

Can you explain what a stabiliser is and how it works please?

[Riverkilt]

Understand your logic - obviously well thought out.

Perhaps you could clarify the term kiltmaker in this sense. Was the kilt made by an individual who put their name on the kilt or was the kilt commissioned from an unknown kilt sewer upper by a house of Scottish goods who trades on their house name? If that's clear.

I just can't imagine anyone putting their personal name on such a kilt.

[Grunthos]

If I show our members how to easily tell when something does not look or feel right, then show the reason, and how to fix it or do it right in the first place, then I have done my job.

I expect that I speak for the majority here, that I/we appreciate the detailed photos and explanations. Very educational of what to look for; quite an eye opener. Thank you for sharing this!

[sydnie7]

Can you explain what a stabiliser is and how it works please?

Mel, this thread discusses the stabilizer and shows what happens when you build a kilt without one.

If you'd really like to get the inside scoop, so to speak, invest $25 or so in a copy of The Art of Kiltmaking.

[Mel1721L]

Mel, this thread discusses the stabilizer and shows what happens when you build a kilt without one.

If you'd really like to get the inside scoop, so to speak, invest $25 or so in a copy of The Art of Kiltmaking.

Thanks for that. I have now discovered that the cilt I bought from the Wales Tartan Centre in Swansea was made without one and is indeed coming apart. I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't happened to have held it up to the light as I was doing it and could see light coming through the stitching. It will be on its way back tomorrow for either a refund or a properly made replacement!

[Jordan]

This is scary, I'm also curious as to whether it was a smaller company who can say my kilt maker is Joe Blogs or a bigger company that only provide a finished product.

[RockyR]

I thought one of the things we did on this forum was share the truth - good and bad. If its a name kiltmaker "cutting corners" while maintaining to sell quality sure think many would benefit from a warning

Ron, I understand your sentiment, but when I have done threads fixing other company kilts, I did the same thing (didn't name / shame the maker publicly). If you really wanted to know, I offered to send you a picture of the label.

Xmarks tends to lean toward the classy end of the spectrum and steers away from one sided bashing. I respect the way Steve handled it and would add:

If you want a quality kilt, buy from a maker up here on Xmarks who will stand behind their work (or one you know personally who has the knowledge to make it correctly).

[HootinHoller]

I have to wonder if this is an independent subcontractor cutting corners? The defect wouldn't be readily apparent to the house selling the product would it? I hope the manufacture is traceable and the house will stand behind their product.

[okiwen]

I may hazard a guess that most of the kilts are made in cottage industry fashion in that it is possible the sales company is not even aware that the kiltmakers themselves are doing a poor job. It certainly would benefit the company that desires to protect their reputation to be notified of such shoddy workmanship and given the opportunity to make it right. The only way that they can fix the problem is to be aware of the problem. Then, given this opportunity, they (the company) can eliminate the need to warn possible future customers of their lack of good customer service and ethics. It's possible, although unthinkable, that the next customer may not be a member of this forum (lord help them).