Why hand-sewn?

[macwilkin]

Todd,
My preference is to be able to read the back and forth. This "donnybrook" if handled by private mail would never had educated me as to aspects of the certification issue. I would rather see these kind of banter as a valuable learning process rather than have it hidden from the forum.
Cliff

True, and I'm glad Barb did post the information about the certification process -- all I asked for was a PM about my comments so I could have edited them to clarify my meaning, that's all.

T.

[bubba]

My 2 cents, I'm sure that the certificates are very good and all that, but until and unless there is a single central certifying agency open to all certification really doesn't mean that much and remains in the realm of marketing. No offense intended here for those that are certified, just my personal observation. In the end certification as it exists now isn't a factor in my decisions.

[Freelander Sporrano]

To be honest about it when I bought my first kilt I did'nt know machine sewn was an option.(It wasn't at the time at HR it is now however). Hand sewn was what I ordered and what I got.I always feel very special when I wear it.I wasn't lucky enough to talk to the kilt maker .I do however thank her who ever she was.

I have 2 machine sewn 8 yard wool kilts too. I remember Linda at HR explaining the difference to me.For example.Hand sewn are easier to alter in size than the machine sewn(The way they machine sew them I pressume). The stitching on the machine sewn is tighter and in her opinion if worn everyday a better bet as regards wear and tear.

I wear my hand sewn for when I want to look my best with PC.Norwegian National dress is all hand sewn.I think It complements my wifes well. Then I have my machine sewn for other uses.

I also have a Bear machine sewn PV which is my hiking kilt....'Orses fur courses as it were

[Riverkilt]

I think this has been a good exchange by intelligent adults.

Hopefully, I understand both sides of the issue.

My point is simply, the kiltmakers who have chosen to attain what certification there is should not be belittled because of that choice and effort, nor should the certification itself be minimized.

I do feel certification does certify a certain minimum level of competence in any field, and thus deserves recognition for what it is.

It seems mean-spirited to me to call certification an advertising gimmick. Anyone, in any field of practice, with certifications, licenses, awards, and honors is going to proudly display them as part of their marketing efforts.

If the Keith Kilt School certification were bogus I doubt the SQA would have it...though I think there was a post minimizing the SQA itself...

Maybe we just need to agree to disagree.

Ron

[bubba]

Ron, it isn't saying the certifications are bogus at all, just that for it to be meaningful in the broad market it has to be universal with a central authority. Since it isn't universally available it doesn't mean the certified makers have any more standing than uncertified makers regardling the quality of work.

[Riverkilt]

See,

That's where we differ.

For me, an auto mechanic who has been trained at an auto mechanic's school seems much more likely to have more experience than an auto mechanic who was trained by a friend who is was an auto mechanic.

I thought I knew about all there was to know about massage therapy and giving a good massage, until I got one from a schooled massage therapist...then I went off to massage school myself and was greatly surprised by what I had yet to learn. I didn't know what I didn't know until I went to school for it.

I can't see how a kiltmaker who went to the Keith Kilt School and learned the ins and outs of kiltmaking from an experience faculty wouldn't pick up more than a kiltmaker trained by one or two kiltmaker's in "their" way of making kilts.

I can't see how the SQA would okie doakie the Keith Kilt School certification if it were bogus in any way.

For me, its really great that the traditions (not just one way) of kiltmaking are being preserved. Thought maybe I found a second kilt school too when googling.

I have respect for those who were self-taught or taught by others individually. Just don't understand the reason or need for minimizing the achievements and knowledge of those who chose instead to seek schooling.

Roses and orchids...which is more beautiful? They both are...just the rose doesn't put down the orchid because it was grown in a greenhouse.

Ron
Who is quite burned out on this topic and embarrassed and sad that he's so incompetent at making his point....

[Raphael]

Ron,

But you know what? Your actions had spoken louder than your words. Look at your collection of kilts. You have bought plenty of kilts that were tailored by the un-accredited kilt makers and you love most of them. You love your utilikilts, USA kilts, Freedom kilts and Rkilts. I don't believe that you have any complain with any one of them. In fact, you constantly prasied the work from them. That had showed that even un-accredited kilt makers can make good looking and well fitting kilts.

[Riverkilt]

You're right Raphael,

Though the thread, I think, is on traditional hand sewn kilts, you help make my point.

I chose Kathy Lare initially because of geography - though her certification helped reassure me. Once I had her first kilt her work learned both from others then later from Keith Kilt School, sold me on the next four hand sewn's from her.

But lack of certification from Keith Kilt School has never kept me from buying other kilts. Never will.

The only things that have kept me from buying certain contemporary kilts were, not manufacturing to my length, taking other board members money and not delivering, and a proven record of poor customer service.

So, why the need to attack, challenge, minimize, belittle, whatever a solid certification by a respected school, validated by a national government agency...??

Just makes no sense. I honor and respect the hand sewn traditional kiltmakers who've been called to such an exacting task. I respect the credentials of those who have sought formal schooling in the craft, over and above what they were taught by individuals when they first came to the craft.

Ron

[Mike1]

Ron
Who is quite burned out on this topic...

Good, so let's lay it to rest.

It's obviously doing nothing but coiling back up on itself and all parties seem satisified and/or worn down by it, so this is an excellent place to leave it.