Can't sew - have to buy - how to compare?

[beerbecue]

Don't forget, Matt makes more than just box pleated kilts. He also offers knife pleated kilts in various weights including heavyweight traditionals.

I was not aware of that - thanks for the correction....

[Jerry]

I was not aware of that - thanks for the correction....

Check out this link to kilts in the Tartans Museum gift shop:

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/kiltpage.html

[Kilted KT]

A tartan sett of 5" is pretty small and unlikely on any tartan above 11 oz weight. Most 16 oz tartans have setts in the neighborhoof of 7-10".

OK, now for the more complicated part. Because tartan kilts are pleated either to the stripe or the sett, the depth of the pleats is governed entirely by the size of the sett. You can't just decide arbitrarily what the pleat depth will be. For example, an 8" sett pleated to the stripe would make a pleat every 8", which would give a pleat depth of about 3.5" if there were a reveal of 1", because (8"-1")/2 = 3.5". If the kilt were pleated to the sett, the pleats would be slightly deeper because it's slightly more than 1 sett between pleats.

The number of pleats is also not arbitrary but, rather, a function of how much cloth you have for pleating (which depends on how much you choose to use for the whole kilt and how big a person you are) _and_ how big the set is. If you have an 8" sett and 200" available for the back of the kilt, you'll get 27 pleats if pleated to the stripe and probably 25 if you pleat to the sett. If the sett is 10", you'll have only 20 pleats if you pleat to the stripe.

So, you just specify an 8-yard kilt and trust the kiltmaker. They'll look at your measurements and decide whether you really need a 9-yard kilt for the tartan you've chosen or whether 8 will do. After the yardage is chosen, and the style of pleating, there is literally no choice in the number of pleats or their depth - it's govered by the tartan you've chosen.
Barb

Can we get this posted in the FAQ's? this far too important of a subject to loose in the depths of the forums.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Since you ARE talking about that "once in a lifetime" investment on this kilt... PLEASE be sure to go with a handsewn, wool kilt. You have more flexibility in the future alterations that you will most likely need. They are constructed with the care and knowledge of many years of tailoring, the the wool hides any changes that are needed.

From all the kilts that I've altered over the last few months, I WILL tell you that the kilts from Kinloch, HofE, and Alexis are FAR superior. There are others that are very close... but these have the experience and "little tricks" that really make the difference in fit and quality.

The one mistake that you need to avoid is saving a couple bucks in lieu of the best product available. Some kilt sites are "store fronts" for the same kiltmakers. Avoid the "middle man costs" by going right to the source.

I can speak for quite a few pipers, bands and ambassadors and their complete satisfaction with Alexis Malcolm. Look into the product, shipping, and their HUGE list of clients and you'll see why serious buyers go there.

[Riverkilt]

Soooo many choices!

Confusing for sure.

I support the reccomendation to go to a kiltmaker...a person with a name who's gonna sit down and sew your once in a lifetime kilt on her lap...or guy too...

The reason I chose Kathy Lare was because she was trained at the Keith School in Scotland...so I figure I got a Scottish kiltmaker stateside. Guessing other kiltmakers have similar credentials.

There's pics of Kathy's work in my gallery. Have four "once in a lifetime" kilts from her.

Not sure how other kiltmakers work, but one nice thing about Kathy is she only charges half down up front. She uses that to order up the material (and like other individual kiltmakers she can get anything a mill makes for you). When she's done with the kilt she'll ask you for the balance.

I like that "two pay" system a lot when the kilt is so expensive. The wait for the fabric and to be hand sewn gives me enough time to recharge the coffers.

Hope you make a decision that works out for you and that your efforts result in that "once in a lifetime" kilt.

Its a great feeling to strap one on and strut/swish....

Ron

[Rob Wright]

I second the recommendation for Kathy Lare, she does an amazing job ,I'm fixing to order my second tank from her after I decide which tartan it will be. Time to get busy.

Rob