New Kiltmaker?

[Moosehead]

Great replies, keep 'em coming. I'll comment a little later after digesting it all.

As mentioned in first post, solids would be a prime (if not the prime) product. My reasoning? Most of the current Irish Clans (associations, societies etc.) have decided on solid colour kilts.

Now, if I can get the College of Piping in Summerside to appoint me as their kiltmaker, I'd be set. . For kilts at their shop, they have them made in Scotland. I'll be signing up as a volunteer with them shortly, and will always wear a kilt when there. Free advertising.

[Colin]

Moosehead, If you head out and work the Lobster season, want to send a couple of those freash babies out to BC?

[Kilted KT]

Great replies, keep 'em coming. I'll comment a little later after digesting it all.

As mentioned in first post, solids would be a prime (if not the prime) product. My reasoning? Most of the current Irish Clans (associations, societies etc.) have decided on solid colour kilts.

Now, if I can get the College of Piping in Summerside to appoint me as their kiltmaker, I'd be set. . For kilts at their shop, they have them made in Scotland. I'll be signing up as a volunteer with them shortly, and will always wear a kilt when there. Free advertising.

Very smart move. People apt to wear kilts to work ( Pipers ) are definitly more apt to purchase kilts. Great way to create a captive market.

[Pleater]

I have been making various types of clothing and accessories for a very long time - about 35 years - but it seems longer.

I would say that there is nothing which will spoil the enjoyment of doing anything faster than having to work to deadlines or under pressure to turn out quantity.

If the kilt making can be kept to a passtime level then maybe it will remain a pleasure, but if/when it gets stressful it can spoil the doing of it entirely.

However - to make kilts for others is a high calling - and it means that you get to look for, select and handle good fabrics and use them to create a garment with status.

There is little investment required other than the purchase of the cloth, and your time, so you are not going to have to factor for machinery, other than a good iron and maybe a sewing machine. Even if you are doing the construction ot the pleats by hand you will most likely want to make up linings and waist bands etc with a sewing machine.

If you do decide to go ahead I wish you good luck.

[Riverkilt]

Ain't dreams great??

I have a couple thoughts Moosehead....where did you learn to make kilts? I bought Barb's book and I buy my tanks from Kathy Lare who went to the Keith School....Jimmy Carbomb got trained. Is it something you can just expect to sit down and figure out? Seems like deciding to sew up kilts would be akin to deciding to sew up suit pants and jackets. Takes a well trained and experienced tailor.

My efforts to sew in my younger days were met with many more challenges than I expected....can you deliver a quality kilt with your sewing and kilt sewing knowledge - or are you expecting to figure it out as you go along?

The other thought is - do you think you'd enjoy spending all day sewing, day after day after day? I grew up in the cut and sew business...granted the ladies in the factory used power machines, but they really zoned out mentally doing repetative work. Kilt sewing by hand/machine would have more variety, but in the long run seems like it would get old, maybe even boring....?

Have you thought about doing it as a cottage industry, with trained seamstresses in your area, like some clothing companies do?

Ron

[ronstew]

Have you thought about doing it as a cottage industry, with trained seamstresses in your area, like some clothing companies do?

Moosehead would likely have to factor in the loss of his tax status if he did.

[Wompet]

My advice is to stick to one or maybe two things and do them really really well. That way, people will want what you have to offer.

Now, I'm looking at only making hand-sewn, traditionally-cut, wool kilts and kilted skirts. Especially solid colours, although tartans would be part of it. Hand sewn sporrans and garter ties (fingerwoven). Possibly jackets. Handknit hose.

It looks in your initial choice of products, you'ld be following Barb's advice. I just did a quick surf through the Canadian listings of the North American Kiltmakers Directory, and I didn't see any solid/unpatterned wool kilts. Or handsewn sporrans, fingerwoven garter ties, or handknit hose, for that matter . Of the members here, the Wizard and RKilt make non-traditionals and Bear and MacHummel work with non-woolen fabrics. We (your target market) have expressed interest in handknit hose and garter ties, and everyone knows you can't have too many sporrans.

Sure, go for it. One piece of advice I can think of is to not take too many orders at once, and be realistic about completion times. If you overestimate the time and get a product done early, customers are pleasantly surprised. If you underestimate they will become frustrated.

Overestimation - also known as the Scotty factor:

"How long to re-fit?"
"Eight weeks. But you don't have eight weeks, so I'll do it for you in two."
"Do you always multiply your repair estimates by a factor of four?"
"How else to maintain my reputation as a miracle worker?"

Kirk and Scotty in Star Trek III

Good luck with your decision. And if you decide to go ahead, the line forms behind the kilted dog.

[bangkok kilt]

Moosehead,

My support would be that I think many members of the forum would be looking to buy from within the ranks as opposed to going to some large anonymous company for a kilt. I would love to be able to have a kilt made from someone on the forum.

[MacWage]

I'll be a pess.-> note-> Matt and Barb have other jobs too. The kilts are not primary income. Others->?

How can one make a small fortune in Kilt making . . .?
Start with a big one!
(Stolen from Briggs Cunningham, who was talking about car racing.)

I'll be an opti.-> If you can figure out how to pay bills, cover costs, and create your own nitch, you'll have the time of your life.

[work-a-holic]

i know of a kiltmakers in nova scotia its called little scotland my ex boss has left his family and bisness to work with them x