Stillwater Improvements

[Freedomlover]

I took my new Heavyweight to a seamstress for a few changes. First, she reduced the pleat sewn length from 8" to 6", just to the top of the upper green line, and the swing (already good) is greatly improved. Then she removed the superfluous third strap: no more pulling of the apron. Then she added a pair of trouser style pockets using my Pittsburgh kilt as a model. Hello. Now it is the real deal. Total cost? $37.00 US.

[cavscout]

Nice price to dial in an already great kilt! How 'bout some pics?

[GlassMan]

That's really impressive. I'd love to see pics of that, especially how the pockets are integrated.

[Freedomlover]

I'll take some pics for you kilt maniacs. But in the interim I'll say that for the money the Stillwater heavywight is hard to beat. On the same note I have to say that the excess material at the back, not being cut out during construction, does cause a weight bias toward the rear which is seriously uncmfortable. But that is correctable. I will be speaking to my seamstress about that problem and will keep everyone advised. All in all it is a great deal. So one spends 50-75 bucks on adjustments, what is that in the scheme of things? Where else can you get 16 oz wool well made kilt for the base price?

In short, if you are willing to make whatever adjustments suit you, you are not going to go wrong here.

[Big Paul]

Sounds like a great deal!

[Freedomlover]

More info:

I have just come back from the seamstress. This time I want the huge amount of excess material in the pleats removed, the weight of which is beginning to cause me some discomfort. She is also going to see about installing an under apron pocket, ala Pittsburgh Kilts. I mentioned that since her work was so good there might be other men interested in having similar modifications done. She is interested. I'll let you all know what the deal is as soon as I know. Any transactions will be between you and her directly, with no cut to me (but tips will be appreciated ). I have known this lady for a while and she is trustworthy.. More as soon as I have it.

[Freedomlover]

P.S.

I am going to wait on the pics until all the modifications are done. Then I will post a gallery of all modifications.

[michael steinrok]

What do you mean about the excess material in the back. How does it cause discomfort?

[Mike S]

What do you mean about the excess material in the back. How does it cause discomfort?

On a hand sewn kilt, the pleated section along the kidney area of the back is blind stitched on the outside of the pleats where they overlap one another, and the excess material of the top of each pleat in that section on the inside of the kilt is cut away to make a single ply area, effectively cutting in half the thickness of the pleats where they are sewn together at the waist. It also allows that top section of the pleats closest to the waistband to lay flatter against the body.
On the Stillwater kilts, this area of the pleats isn't cut away. One could certainly do so one's self, but the upper binding and back lining would need to be removed first, the inside pleat material removed up to the waist band, and then the lining and binding re-sewn back on.
The only discomfort if any is that you have a thick bit of material at the back waist section that feels a bit like a pad, or cummerbund as opposed to a custom kilt. It's an easy fix by the way.

[michael steinrok]

Okay I kind of get it I think I've seen that on more expensive kilts. I do recognize that cummerbund feeling though. I've got another stillwater on the way.
Cheers