Why hand-sewn?

[GTRMAN]

From what I've seen observed is that hand-sewn kilts cost many times that of those which are machine stitched.. How much better is the quality, really? Is it really worth all of that extra cost? If so, then why?

[macwilkin]

From what I've seen observed is that hand-sewn kilts cost many times that of those which are machine stitched.. How much better is the quality, really? Is it really worth all of that extra cost? If so, then why?

It's really not that much, and yes, it is worth the extra you pay - the satisfaction alone of knowing that your garment was personally made by a skilled kilt maker is worth it.

I had a choice of machine-sewn or hand-sewn when I ordered from Hector Russell's Canadian branch, and the difference was under $50, if I remember correctly. I actually talked to the kilt maker who made my kilt, and Darren was a certified Scottish kilt maker, so that made my kilt even more special.

My wife noticed the difference in quality in my hand-sewn kilt when I first wore it.

Regards,

Todd

[GTRMAN]

It's really not that much, and yes, it is worth the extra you pay - the satisfaction alone of knowing that your garment was personally made by a skilled kilt maker is worth it.

I had a choice of machine-sewn or hand-sewn when I ordered from Hector Russell's Canadian branch, and the difference was under $50, if I remember correctly. I actually talked to the kilt maker who made my kilt, and Darren was a certified Scottish kilt maker, so that made my kilt even more special.

My wife noticed the difference in quality in my hand-sewn kilt when I first wore it.

Regards,

Todd

So the major difference is not "real", per se, but mostly perception? Why is it more satisfying to have a kilt made from a "certified Scottish kilt maker" than any other tailor? Is it more satisfying to have a pair of blue-jeans that are made in America than those made in Canada or China? Overall, wouldn't the quality of a machine stitched garment be superior, or at least more uniform than that of something done by a person?

This is just me, but it would seem that it all boils down to "bragging rights"...

[Schultz]

So the major difference is not "real", per se, but mostly perception? Why is it more satisfying to have a kilt made from a "certified Scottish kilt maker" than any other tailor? Is it more satisfying to have a pair of blue-jeans that are made in America than those made in Canada or China? Overall, wouldn't the quality of a machine stitched garment be superior, or at least more uniform than that of something done by a person?

This is just me, but it would seem that it all boils down to "bragging rights"...

It's far more than bragging rights. There truly is a difference in quality. No matter how well a garment is machine sewn, there are definitely little things that a properly trained tailor (or, in this case, kilt maker) can do that with a needle and thread by hand that simply makes a garment fit better than if its done by hand.

For one thing, in kiltmaking, the stitching of the fell can (and should!) look invisible with a handsewn, something that's impossible with a machine sewn garment. The pulling and skewing that comes with properly shaping a kilt can't really be done while using a machine. It would at least take the same amount of time and probably be more difficult with a machine.

I have a number of hand tailored garments aside from kilts that make most everything else I have pale in comparison in quality, sustainability, and comfort. There really is a difference, but also only if you care about such things. I'm one of those people who does, unfortunately, for my bank account! ;)

[arrogcow]

This thread details my comparison with my tank and my 5 yard hand sewn.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=14828

But in response to Schultz, the stitching on the fell of my tank is very visible, while it is not on the machine sewn. however the sett matches perfectly on the fell of the tank while it is slightly off on the machine sewn.

Adam

[David Dalglish]

Yeh--Bragging Rights--Its nice to say your kilt is hand sewn, but its more than that, your hand sewn kilt has been given the personal touch that a machine sewn one does not

[macwilkin]

So the major difference is not "real", per se, but mostly perception? Why is it more satisfying to have a kilt made from a "certified Scottish kilt maker" than any other tailor? Is it more satisfying to have a pair of blue-jeans that are made in America than those made in Canada or China? Overall, wouldn't the quality of a machine stitched garment be superior, or at least more uniform than that of something done by a person?

This is just me, but it would seem that it all boils down to "bragging rights"...

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course. So what if it is "perception", "bragging rights", etc? If that makes a particular kilt special to someone, then that's great, particularly if the kilt symbolises their family heritage. Horses for courses and all that.

Personally, I like knowing that my kilt was made by someone who was trained and certified in Scotland, since the kilt has its origins there. But that won't stop me from ordering a kilt from someone who has a good reputation for making kilts and is not certified in Scotland either. My kilt is special to me for family heritage, it is not a pair of Jeans, so I want it to be special in every way. If that's "bragging rights", then so be it.

My hand-sewn is of far-better quality then the two machine-sewn kilts I owned from J. Higgins, btw. Yes, that machine-sewn kilt may be more "uniform", but it's only as good as the person running that machine, and I would much rather have the knowledge of someone who has been trained and schooled by someone who knows the craft.

Regards,

Todd

[GTRMAN]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course. So what if it is "perception", "bragging rights", etc? If that makes a particular kilt special to someone, then that's great, particularly if the kilt symbolises their family heritage. Horses for courses and all that.

Personally, I like knowing that my kilt was made by someone who was trained and certified in Scotland, since the kilt has its origins there. But that won't stop me from ordering a kilt from someone who has a good reputation for making kilts and is not certified in Scotland either. My kilt is special to me for family heritage, it is not a pair of Jeans, so I want it to be special in every way. If that's "bragging rights", then so be it.

My hand-sewn is of far-better quality then the two machine-sewn kilts I owned from J. Higgins, btw. Yes, that machine-sewn kilt may be more "uniform", but it's only as good as the person running that machine, and I would much rather have the knowledge of someone who has been trained and schooled by someone who knows the craft.

Regards,

Todd

Not trying to offend anyone here.. Just trying to undestand the phenomenon..

You all talk about the the invisibility of the thread and the fell, etc.. How many people are actually looking for these things? Are those really PRACTICAL considerations?

[Riverkilt]

In the seeing comes the understanding.

Go to ANY highland games and just look....

Or, if you can "swing" it, just wear one in your size, preferably tailored to your body.

I made the brave leap to my first hand sewn a couple years ago...now I own six. Not for bragging rights...just because I love them so!

Check out the hand sewns in my gallery and Ham's gallery and any other pics.

Like everything else there are varying degrees of quality to meet a person's needs and wants.

Be careful though...hand sewn traditional kilts are the most addictive of all kilts.

Ron

[macwilkin]

Not trying to offend anyone here.. Just trying to undestand the phenomenon..

You all talk about the the invisibility of the thread and the fell, etc.. How many people are actually looking for these things? Are those really PRACTICAL considerations?

I heard a similar arguement in Civil War reenacting from those who were known in the hobby as "farbs" -- my fellow reenactors will recognize the term, for those who are not reenactors, it is slang for someone who doesn't care about authenticty and "doing it right". Now, I'm not saying you are a "farb" because you made a similar statement -- just using an example here. No offence meant or intended.

Folks who criticized those of us who wanted to be as authentic as possible usually would say, "how many people actually care that your uniform is authentic?" or something similar. Yes, there are probably very few out there who actually do -- but it wasn't about them, it was the fact that Iwould know if I was being historically incorrect. The park service trained me to be as authentic as possible so the public could have a quality living history presentation, whether they knew everything that went into that program, uniform, etc. was another matter.

So, to me, the "peace of mind" that I have a quality-made garment is practical -- my frugal Scots grandmother would say the same thing. Notice I didn't say that the quality was only from Scotland, though.

Regards,

Todd