Commissioning my first tank, jacket and waistcoat

**Jock Scot** · 6th November 21, 04:01 AM

Oh dear, what a shame.

It is not for me to speak for Paul, or make excuses for him, but...............The situation that you describe with Paul is not the efficient, helpful, enthusiastic Paul that I have dealt with in the past. I do wonder, I certainly dont know, if all is well with Paul? What you describe is not typical in my experience.

**ktk1961** · 6th November 21, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Oh dear, what a shame.

It is not for me to speak for Paul, or make excuses for him, but...............The situation that you describe with Paul is not the efficient, helpful, enthusiastic Paul that I have dealt with in the past. I do wonder, I certainly dont know, if all is well with Paul? What you describe is not typical in my experience.

It has come as a surprise to me, as well. My first concern was that he might not be well. But he has been posting periodically on Facebook reporting on the progress of other kilts during the same period of time I've been awaiting a response to my emails and Facebook messages.

He might still be ill, of course, or otherwise indisposed, which I would completely understand. But I have no way of knowing what the cause of the delay and lack of responsiveness might be. Unfortunately, it has put quite a damper on my enthusiasm for the process of commissioning my first kilt.

**Jock Scot** · 6th November 21, 11:14 AM

Who knows what is going on with Paul, let us hope all is well and things get sorted out in a satisfactory way.

**ktk1961** · 7th November 21, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Who knows what is going on with Paul, let us hope all is well and things get sorted out in a satisfactory way.

Completely agree, Jock.

**fluter** · 8th November 21, 07:59 AM

For whatever it's worth, UK - US shipping is still really unpredictable. I had a small package shipped by Royal Mail in September, with the usual message "you should see this in 10 days." 37 days later, it was in my hands.

**ktk1961** · 8th November 21, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by fluter

For whatever it's worth, UK - US shipping is still really unpredictable. I had a small package shipped by Royal Mail in September, with the usual message "you should see this in 10 days." 37 days later, it was in my hands.

Yes, that is certainly true. But, in this case, I don't think the kilt maker would have shipped it without requesting the balance payment and then notifying me that it had been shipped. And if he had, I would hope my emails and Facebook messages would have alerted him to something being amiss and he would at least provide me with a tracking number.

All of which suggests to me that the kilt has not yet been shipped, for reasons still unknown to me.

**ktk1961** · 15th November 21, 08:46 AM

To my great surprise -- and equal relief -- my kilt arrived unannounced this morning! I have not yet had a chance to do more than unpack it ... but will put it on and take some pictures as soon as I can.

If anyone has any suggestions on how/when to remove the stitches holding the pleats in place, feel free to share them!

**McMurdo** · 15th November 21, 11:24 AM

That is great news, I am looking forward to the photos. As to removing basting stitches, I would say carefully.

**ktk1961** · 15th November 21, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

That is great news, I am looking forward to the photos. As to removing basting stitches, I would say carefully.

LOL. Safe bet. Thanks. ;-)

**ktk1961** · 5th December 21, 07:46 PM

At long last I can share a picture of me wearing my new kilt from Paul Henry! I wore it proudly on Friday evening at the 176th annual St. Andrew's Gala held by Chicago Scots, the oldest charitable organization in my home state of Illinois. It was the first such event for my wife and me. She's not a huge fan of bagpipes, truth be told, but we had a great time.

My new kilt turned out beautifully. I will soon take and post pictures of the kilt showing its great detail and lining ... as well as the tweed jacket I had made to wear with it.

For now, I'll share this picture.

Click image for larger version.

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I also wore my new sporran, purchased from Ministry of Tartan, which I love.

I'll have to look into a pair of diced hose to wear with it, but have yet to find any made with reproduction or weathered colors. Only ancient and modern colors. Although I have a few leads on custom hose ... if I can stomach the high cost for a pair of socks! ;-)

At the end of the evening, I was loathe to take the kilt off ... it felt wonderful to wear it after dreaming of it for so long.