I am a huge fan of older (pre 70's) machines.

Brother and Husvarna changed their machines in the '80's to better suit the home quilting market by making their machines lighter, and of plastic and pot metal instead of forged metal. This is perfect for the person sewing thru two or three layers of very light fabric, at home, on an occasional basis.

For the needs of kiltmaking, and especially Contemporary kilts, you many times need the torque and ability to lift the presser foot over 1.2". The newer machines can't do this.

OK, I use heavy industrial Pfaffs but then my machines are running 8 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. They also need to lift the presser foot a full 3/4" in need the torque to punch thru 14-18 layers of heavy fabric.

Visit your local sewing machine center and talk to the folks there. Take along a kilt of the style and weight you want to make. Most of these shops will have a dozen used machines that will do a good job and cost under $250.00.

Then look for a machine that does straight and the widest zig-zag you can find. 6-8mm That can have the pressure foot raised to AT LEAST 1/2". And most importantly find one mounted in a table. That extra flat surface to lay out and support all that fabric makes all the differance. You don't need the free arm unless your planning on doing sleeves so don't bother. Having a large flat surface is much more important.

My machines all have 4 ft x 4ft extensions bolted to the normal table and what a differance having that table makes.