Maple Leaf Tartan

[scoutniagara]

Ok, I've taken off five of the ten pounds I put on during my Florida vacation followed by my 10-day cruise. I'll take off the other five pounds and more, and then submit my measurements. I'm not in a rush, but if you're waiting for measurements, let me know.

I have a downpayment on an 8-yarder.

John

[MacHummel]

well gang today was a very interesting day, I recieved a phone call from CCGA saying he was bringing Barclay to my house for him to try on his new CCK Maple Leaf. Well after a long conversation with both gentlemen Kilted Stuart joined and we were able to snap a couple of pics. Barclay I am so happy you love your new kilt thanks for coming to my house not only to pick up your kilt but to meet you it was awesome. Grant gave up his postion in the kilt line to make sure Barclay got his his while he was down. I was very impressed with this but please don't let this get to CCGA's head swell up he's not short of self esteem and doesn't need to be reminded he's really a nice guy.
In all it was great to meet with Barclay and see CCGA and Kilted Sturat in the same room together.

The official Hand Off



A group shot

[ccga3359]

Pete, you need a new camera as these pictures do ot do this tartan and your work justice. It is such a gorgeous tartan I just couldn't keep my eyes of it. I'm going to sleep with my swatch under my pillow.

[McClef]

NOW I'm starting to Jones in a big way!

[HeathBar]

Congrats on the new kilt, cuz!

[Barclay]

Congrats on the new kilt, cuz!

Thanks, man. I am diggin' it! (And I'll respond to your email shortly. )

In the way of a review of this kilt, after owning it for 24 hours, I'll first offer that I was thoroughly impressed with the kilt when I first saw it and have become more impressed after having an opportunity to wear and study it.

When I first arrived at McHummel's home to pick the kilt up, I thought I was going in for tweaking of the fit only. I had, based on seeing the tartan on the computer, envisioned what the tartan that Pete had woven (weaved? ) would look like and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was even better than I was expecting.

The tartan

The tartan that Pete had created is amazing. Period. The colours are rich and deep and really represent the changing shades in the life cycle of the maple leaf. I was expecting much brighter colours and was very pleasantly surprised to see how much care Pete took in spec'ing the colours and in accepting what the weaver sent. The tartan is beautiful, plain and simple.

This is my first PV kilt and I was expecting a much looser weave than what I found and was expecting the kilt to be much lighter weight - it is a very tight, reasonably heavy weave that hangs, looks and feels like a light wool. Again, I was completely impressed by the quality and feel of the tartan and I look forward to getting it broken in.

Pete took a great amount of care to work with the mill and it shows. They did a brilliant job, together, to create a really great fabric.

The kilt

While I was a wee bit apprehensive about ordering a made-to-order kilt without a personal fitting from the kilt maker, I took care to be as accurate as I possibly could to get my measurements right. I gotta say, Pete nailed it. The thing fits me like a glove. I could not have asked for a better fit. It is a very traditional cut and look, but epitomizes the concept of a traditional casual kilt - it looks, fits and wears like a kilt that would cost much more. I haven't yet counted the pleats, but there is a bunch of them and the depth is nice, the swish is substantial and the reverse pleat is impressively deep (4"?) and allows the kilt to flow nicely when it moves. The selvedge is tight, the buckles and straps are top shelf and the workmanship just can't be beat. (He even went to the trouble to allow it to be size adjusted easily in the future to allow for additional weight loss, and even - god forbid - weight gain since I have recently lost a fairly substantial amount of weight.)

In summary, I am an experienced kilt wearer with almost 30 years in a kilt, on and off, and while this is my first CCK kilt and my first PV kilt, it will not be my last. Pete created an excellent product at a great price. This kilt rivals other handmades that I have and exceeds some. Pete has proven his skills as a traditional casual kilt maker, and I am very impressed, and very pleased, with the kilt I received. To summarize, I'm thrilled with this kilt and Pete's skills as a kiltmaker.

Thanks, Pete. It is an exceptional kilt, and I am grateful. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to have met you and your lovely wife and Kilted Stewart (and, of course, the intrepid ccga3359). I look forward to seeing you guys at Emma's tomorrow and hearing what these other maple leafers have to say about their kilts.

[Tartan Hiker]

Wow. After reading your review I feel the need to stand, face North, and sing "Oh, Canada"!

Just kidding. Chris, I'm really glad you finally got your new kilt and that you are so pleased with it. (stage whisper to the rest of the board: I can verify that he has talked about little else for the past several months.)

When you get back to the good old South, how about we christen it with a dressy kilt night at the pub?